On this course you will learn and practice the main skills for walking and staying safe in the UK Mountains in Winter.

This 3 day winter skills course will be a small group, so it can be adapted to fit the needs and wants of those attending. We will do some joint planning, group and individual target setting on day 1 to ensure everyone develops their skills.

It is suitable for anyone wearing crampons and using an ice axe for the first time.

It is also a great course for people that may have already walked in winter with friends, but are looking for reassurance from a qualified instructor or want a skills refresher.

The 2nd and 3rd days of the course will involve a journeys with ascent, so you must be fit enough to walk for 6 hours with 600m of ascent, 2 days in a row.

1. Movement on ice and snow: Crampon and Ice axe techniques, including Ice axe arrest
2. Avalanche: Reading Avalance Hazard Reports and planning accordingly, Snow pack observations
3. Navigation: Key differences in winter; Low visibility and whiteout strategies, Winter night navigation
4. Dealing with Emergencies: Emergency equipment and procedures, Emergency shelter building (using shovel or axe)
5. Adapting to conditions: Dynamic risk assessment in the winter environment, Heuristic traps
6. Efficient journeying: Group management and route choice - before and during your activity
7. General Winter Kit: Advice on Clothing, Packing, Food and Drinks

If you are unsure if you want to comit to our 3 day course, check out our 1 and 2 day courses. The 2nd and 3rd days can be added on following each day, if you wish to take it further after day 1 (subject to availability).

Lee from Not About The Summit will be your guide and instructor. Lee holds the Winter Mountain Leader Award, for guiding walks and instructing winter skills courses in the UK Mountians. Find out more about Lee by visiting www.notaboutthesummit.com

Day 1

08:00 - Meet in a cafe (venue TBC, see below) to cover some topics, review forecasts and do kit checks.

Venue - The meeting place will be in Aviemore, the exact location will be confirmed in advance of the event - we normally meet at either: Aviemore Youth Hostel, Tiso (Explorer Cafe), Cobbs Cafe

10:00 - We will be heading out onto the hill, no later than 10:00.

17:00 - Debrief in a cafe/pub, opportunity for questions, identify needs for day 2 and do some joint planning for day 2.

18:00 - We will finish no later than 18:00.

Day 2

08:00 - Meet in a cafe; Discuss weather and avalanche forecast. Review group & individual Aims and Objectives. Joint planning of the day 2 journey. The focus today will be in completing a journey, applying learning from day 1 with lots of opportunities for practicing skills.

10:00 - We will be heading out onto the hill, no later than 10:00.

17:00 - Debrief in a cafe/pub, discuss heuristics, plan day 3

18:00 - We will finish no later than 18:00.

Day 3

08:00 - 10:00 - start time will depend on group needs and wants (travel, kit return, night navigation) and weather

We will complete a journey to climb 1 or 2 Munros, practicing skills and navigation along the way

19:00 - Latest time off the hill for debrief in a cafe/pub, opportunity for questions, recognise successes and next steps for your winter journey.

20:00 - We will finish no later than 20:00.

You should already be hiking in hills/mountains in summer conditions, so you have the fitness to walk in the hills. Days 2 and 3 will involve at least 600m of ascent. There is no requirement to have used an Ice Axe or Crampons before, we will show you how.

You will need to have a helmet, an ice axe, crampons and boots that are suitable for the crampons.

We recommend hiring from Tiso Aviemore, as they offer hemet hire. Check the FAQs for alternative kit hire locations.

Please check our full Winter Kit List and advice at the following link: Click here for the NATS Winter Kit List

Before attending this event, please complete our short participation form at this link: Click here to complete the NATS participation form

By participating in our events, you are agreeing to our full terms and conditions, available at this link: NATS full Ts & Cs

Not About The Summit holds Public Liability Insurance. This does not cover you for personal injury or loss, please arrange your own insurance for your activity or holiday.

Minimum booking requirements

There is a minimum of 2 bookings required for this event to run. If less than 2 people have booked 1 week before the event, the event may be cancelled. A private booking can be arranged.