Scottish Winter Skills Weekend Course
Learn Essential Winter Hill Walking Skills in the Scottish Highlands
Join our Scottish Winter Skills Weekend for a hands-on introduction to winter hill walking. Over two action-packed days, you’ll learn how and when to use an ice axe and crampons, navigate snowy terrain, and stay safe in challenging winter conditions.
📍 Location: Fort William, Scotland
💷 Price: £240 per person (includes free kit hire)
🕒 Duration: 2 days
Who Is This Course For?
This weekend course is perfect for:
Beginners experiencing winter conditions for the first time (but with summer mountain walking experience)
Regular hillwalkers looking to refresh or upgrade their winter skills
Anyone preparing for winter mountaineering or snowy adventures in the UK or abroad
What You’ll Learn
Over two full days in the mountains, you’ll gain practical experience and confidence in winter terrain. Topics include:
Choosing and using winter equipment
Movement skills on snow and ice
Ice axe techniques, including self-arrest
Fitting and using crampons effectively
Avalanche awareness and avoidance
Route planning and mountain weather interpretation
A mountain journey to apply your new skills
Sample Programme (Weather Dependent)
Day One:
Kit check and safety briefing
- Use of the avalanche forecast and weather forecast
Step kicking and cutting
Ice axe arrest techniques
Walking in crampons
Day Two:
Mountain ascent (approx. 3,000ft)
Practice self-arrest and crampon use
Avalanche awareness and snow condition analysis
Winter navigation and route planning
We adapt each day’s plan based on weather and avalanche reports to ensure safety and maximize learning opportunities.
Course Location
Our base is in Fort William, ideally located for access to:
Ben Nevis
Aonach Mòr
Glen Coe
We often use ski centre chairlifts to reach the snowline quickly and spend more time on the mountain.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included, allowing you to choose somewhere that suits your budget. Fort William offers a wide range of options, all within walking distance of our meeting point. Visit this page for travel and accommodation options.
Fitness & Experience
No climbing experience is required — this is not a winter climbing course. However, the Scottish mountains in winter are physically demanding. You should be:
Physically fit and prepared for strenuous activity
Comfortable walking with a heavier rucksack in cold, windy conditions
Training (e.g., running, cycling, swimming) beforehand is recommended.
Meet Your Instructors
Led by Rob Johnson and Huw Gilbert, both holders of the Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (WMCI) qualification — the highest instructional certification in the UK.
Meeting Point & Times
After booking, you’ll receive:
A confirmation email
Detailed course notes
A full kit list
Meeting instructions
Courses begin at 8:30 AM in Fort William and finish around 5:00 PM daily.
Winter Skills Weekend Dates
2027
16/17 January: 3 spaces
6/7 February: 3 spaces
13/14 March: 6 spaces
Ready to Build Your Winter Mountain Confidence?
[Book Your Scottish Winter Skills Weekend Now]Scottish winter skills weekend reviews
More Reviews
What a fantastic weekend! Use of crampons and ice axe, movement up snowy and icy slopes, self-arrest techniques, assessment and management of avalanche risk were all covered with the bonus of summiting two munros. We also had amazing views and the most sunshine anywhere in the UK! Many thanks to Huw for running such a fun course – your patience, humour and photos were much appreciated. By Olivia M on Feb 12, 2025