Winter Hill Walking

Winter is an incredible time of year to explore the Scottish mountains; feel the squeak of spin-drift underfoot on a high summit or the stillness of an ancient forest blanketed in snow. The winter mountain environment is as stunningly beautiful as it is challenging and there is nowhere better to be than the Cairngorms. You can choose from a winter skills course or hire a guide for a winter walking day. Whether you use prosthetics, have a sensory impairment, learning support needs or simply a strong desire for winter, your experience will be tailored to your abilities. 

Intro to Winter Hill Walking - 2 Days

This 2 day course aims to give you the chance to learn the skills you'll need to enjoy the winter mountains safely, under the instruction of an experienced and qualified Winter Mountain Leader. This is a practical-based course, mostly taking place out on the hill covering the following key areas:

• Preparing and planning a winter day out
• What kit to use and carry 
• Mountain weather and avalanche forecasts
• Avalanche awareness and avoidance 
• Winter navigation
• Using ice axe and crampons
• Moving on snow and ice
• Ice axe arrests
• What to do in an emergency

Guided Winter Walks

Maybe you have a particular mountain in mind, whether its crossing the sub-arctic wilderness of the Cairngorm Plateau or scaling the rugged peaks and ridges of the West Coast, you could hire a guide to take care of all the planning and decision making so you can enjoy the walk. We can provide guiding for as many days as you want and will work with you to create rewarding hill days that suit you're needs and ambitions. You may choose to learn some winter skills as part of your walk, such as winter navigation, ice axe arrests or avalanche forecasting. 

What to bring

Ice axe, crampons and helmets are provided. You will need to bring your own personal hill walking gear, including winter boots. If you need to hire 4-season boots, you can organise this with Tiso or Cairngorm Mountain Sports in Aviemore.

A full kit list will be provided on booking.