Winter walking
...there is something so beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on...
Winter is truly a magical time of year to be in the mountains, and the memory of a perfect blue-bird day in the Scottish Highlands will last a lifetime. Although not always guaranteed, when those days do come around, they make up for all of the harsher days endured. Because Scottish winter can, at times, be challenging. Yet this challenge presents rewards and memories like none other.
Come snow or shine, by choosing to attend a winter walking skills course, or being guided, for your introductory experience, you ensure that your first steps in crampons are taken enjoyably, comfortably and safely. And if you are already an avid winter walker, yet wish to have the reassurance of a qualified leader with you on that final, far-flung munro on your list, then I can help.
All of the following activities and courses are based out of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm unless stated otherwise. Prices are per person. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have an activity or course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Come snow or shine, by choosing to attend a winter walking skills course, or being guided, for your introductory experience, you ensure that your first steps in crampons are taken enjoyably, comfortably and safely. And if you are already an avid winter walker, yet wish to have the reassurance of a qualified leader with you on that final, far-flung munro on your list, then I can help.
All of the following activities and courses are based out of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm unless stated otherwise. Prices are per person. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have an activity or course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Winter walking skills weekend
This course is perfect for winter newcomers who wish to make the best use of two days. Learn everything you need to know to venture out safely in winter.
✓ Clothing, equipment, and systems input for heading out in winter ✓ Interpreting avalanche forecasts, and understanding weather forecasts ✓ Planning a journey, and avoiding hazardous areas and avalanches ✓ Basic fundamentals of winter navigation and contour interpretation ✓ Movement skills to prevent slips or trips (step-kicking and cramponing) ✓ How to use an ice axe (step-cutting, stopping a slip, arresting a slide) ✓ Emergency procedures, and basic snow shelters ✓ FREE hire of a helmet, axe and crampons |
Title:
Winter Walking Skills Weekend 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£149 £440 £145 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
winter walking skills week
Learning over a longer period of time allows for additional practice and refinement of skills, and a greater variety of conditions and venues enables further consolidation, all contributing towards a deeper level of understanding. This course enables you to build further confidence in your own ability and explore additional skills to the weekend course.
✓ Execute self-planned journeys and refinement of 'winter systems' ✓ Snow pack analysis on the hill and classroom-based theoretical learning ✓ Advanced snow shelters, such as 'shovel-ups' and snow-holes ✓ Further emergency procedures, including basic ropework techniques ✓ FREE hire of a helmet, axe and crampons |
Title:
Winter Walking Skills Week 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£349 £1200 £340 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
guided winter walking
Enjoy walking in Scottish winter without the worry of going it alone. Be guided over classic journeys, and bag munros, while learning basic winter walking skills en route to the summits. No prior experience is necessary and the itinerary is flexible to suit the weather, conditions, and group's aims.
✓ Safety and etiquette when winter walking ✓ Awareness and understanding of avalanche forecasts ✓ Stress-free guided winter walking, to suit your level and ability ✓ Local history of the mountains, and knowledge of snow and its behaviour ✓ FREE tuition of basic winter walking skills ✓ FREE hire of a helmet, axe and crampons |
Title:
Guided Winter Walking Guided Winter Walking 2-day Guided Winter Walking 3-day Guided Winter Walking 5-day 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Dates on demand Dates on demand Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 6 6 6 1 6 |
Price:
£75 £145 £210 £325 £225p/d £65p/d |
Ratio:
1:6 1:6 1:6 1:6 1:1 1:6 |
- What is included in the price?
Instruction at the above ratios, tea/coffee at the start of the activity or course, all emergency first aid equipment, and additional maps and teaching resources, where appropriate. - What is not included in the price?
Accommodation, food and drink for the day, personal insurance and personal equipment (unless stated otherwise). - What is the minimum number of participants required to ensure my activity or course runs?
3 for all of the above activities or courses at a 1:6 ratio. And, with fear of being obvious, 1 for 1:1 private bookings! - Who will staff my activity or course?
Your activity or course will be staffed by me or another fully qualified winter mountain leader (WML), winter mountaineering and climbing instructor (WMCI) or British mountain guide (BMG). - Can I hire walking boots from you?
No, sorry. Because of vastly different shoe sizes from person to person, I do not stock a large range of walking boots. However, there are numerous shops and hire services available in the local area to your activity or course, or you can Get In Contact if you need any more help acquiring a pair. - Can I hire a rucksack from you?
Yes, please arrange this at the time of booking. Rucksacks cost £20 per person, per day. A deposit of £75 to cover any damage or soiling of the materials is required. - Can I bring along my own helmet, axe and crampons?
Yes of course, however this equipment will be thoroughly checked by me or another member of staff before it is deemed suitable for use. - How many pairs of gloves do you recommend I bring?
A minimum of 3 waterproof pairs of gloves is recommended for safety and comfort. This is because gloves can quickly become wet in Scotland during the winter, and once a pair of gloves have become wet they will be no longer be useful. - Why do I need ski goggles for walking in winter?
In Scotland, during the winter, ski goggles are essential for safety and comfort. This is because when snow is falling in windy conditions it is impossible to see without them. - How many pairs, and what type of ski goggles do you recommend I bring?
One pair of ski goggles will suffice, however two is better, just in case you lose a pair. Clear-lens ski goggles are better in most conditions, however ski goggles with red-tinted lenses also work. - Where can I stay?
There are a variety of options around Aviemore, to suit everybody's tastes and budgets. There are many more options than the ones suggested below, and of the options suggested below, all operate independently from me:
Hostels - Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel; Aviemore Bunkhouse; Aviemore Youth Hostel.
Hotels - Premier Inn; Cairngorm Hotel; Highland Resort; The Old Bridge Inn.
B&Bs - Dunroamin; Ardlogie Guest House; Carn Mhor; 'Air BnB' options are also available. - What kit do I need to bring?
For all of the above activities or courses, you may be out in the mountains all day, and therefore will require the following:
1. Warm clothing, including a woolly hat, balaclava or buff, gloves, ski goggles and sunglasses
2. Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
3. Walking boots and walking gaitors
4. Food, drink and personal medication
5. Small personal first aid kit, if required (to include things like blister plasters, suncream)
6. Mobile phone and whistle
7. Personal walking poles
8. Personal helmet, walking axe and crampons (unless stated otherwise)
9. Compass (Silva Type 4 recommended) (not required for 'Guided Winter Walking')
10. Waterproof map of the area (36 - OS Landranger Active Map Grantown and Aviemore recommended), or a non-waterproof map of the area (36 - OS Landranger Map Grantown and Aviemore) and a waterproof map case (not required for 'Guided Winter Walking')
11. Head torch and spare batteries
12. Rucksack (40L minimum recommended) and waterproof liner
Have a question about something else? Try the Frequently Asked Questions page.
"Alex chose a fantastic route and taught me loads of great winter skills along the way. Alex kept us safe and stayed enthusiastic throughout, even when the wind was very strong!"
Z. Khan (Winter Walking Skills course 2020)
Z. Khan (Winter Walking Skills course 2020)
+44 (0) 7 7 0 2 0 4 1 9 9 0
|