Winter Skills Beginners

Travel in the mountains in winter conditions requires different skills than during the summer. Snow underfoot makes foot placement tricky, navigation is more difficult as everything is white and the temperatures make a day out a bigger challenge.

These are not the only challenges. If you can master these conditions safely, then the reward is possibly even greater than during the summer. There can be few better days in the hills than when the sun is shining, the snow is crisp and fresh underfoot and you have, if you're lucky, great views into the valley

This long weekend course is designed for those people who have been summer hill walking before, and want to take it 'one step further' and learn some of the skills for winter travel. You don't need previous winter skills experience to take part.

• Location: Cairngorms, Aviemore, Scotland.
  
• Duration: 3 days, 3 nights.
  
• Meet on Thursday night, finish Sunday afternoon.
  
• Trip possible from mid December through to end of March/mid April.
  
• Comfortable hotel accommodation.
  
• Either drive to Aviemore and meet us at the hotel on the first evening or fly to Inverness.
  
• We provide all technical equipment such as crampons, ice axe, helmets.
  
• You do not need previous crampon/ice axe experience, just some summer hill walking experience.

During the course you will be taught the basics of winter skills which include:

• Choice of winter equipment.
  
• Winter navigation, choice of route, etc.
  
• Security on winter terrain.
  
• Use of ice axe and crampons.
  
• Other relevant skills.

The course is lead by a winter qualified leader and the precise itinerary will be decided locally with the group depending upon weather, snow/ice conditions and group fitness. The course takes place in Scotland in the Cairngorms because of the higher likelihood of good conditions there at this time of year.

Meet up is at 6pm on the Thursday evening (you can arrive later), just let us know in advance) which is followed by an introductory talk and a briefing session.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are usually days from approximately 9.00am until 5.00pm. An earlier finish on Sunday can be arranged if the group wishes to leave earlier for the journey home.

You should have previous summer hill walking experience to take part in this course and a reasonable level of fitness. Just remember, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your trip!

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

A detailed kit list will be issued once we confirm your booking.

This course can be completed anytime from mid December until the middle of April.

This trip is available for individuals and groups. You can request the date by clicking on the link below for when you want to take part in the trip.

These will then be advertised here.

2010/11 dates so far are:

For 1 - 2 person booking on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 3 - 4 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 5+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

• Professional event organisation
• Qualified winter mountain leaders to provide instruction
• Evening briefings, route planning and equipment checks to ensure you have everything you need.
• 3 nights twin room hotel accommodation bed with breakfast. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
• Inverness Airport arrival and departure transfers are available at a supplement.
• Use of winter technical equipment (ice axe, crampons, helmet)
• All ground transport relevant to the course (except any cable cars/gondolas or railway)
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders.

2010 price - £399pp