Learn how to use an ice axe & crampons. Snow quickly evolves, recognise the dangers and know how to cross it safely and efficiently. Mountain weather is as varied as the snow & ice it creates: blizzards, blue skies, white-outs - be prepared for anything it may throw at you. We cover these and all the other essential skills so you can confidently venture into the winter mountain wonderland.

There's also the opportunity to climb Britain's 2nd (Ben Macdui) and 5th (Cairngorm) highest peaks along with attending the New Year Ceilidh as part of Boat of Garten's own Winter Festival.

Arrive: Fraoch Lodge the day before the walking begins. Try to aim for between 5 & 7pm so that you have time to settle in and meet the rest of the group before dinner.

Day 1: You'll cover suitable equipment, crampons & ice axes; avalanche assessment; step kicking & cutting and cramponing techniques.

Day 2: Equipment & practicalities of winter navigation. Micro navigation techniques, Bearings and other necessary compass skills, contour interpretation, etc.

Day 3: Use of the axe to Self-arrest a sliding fall in all the various body orientations. The construction of the technical skills and relevance of emergency snow shelters.

Day 4: Planning a route over Cairngorm & then walk it using all the relevant navigation skills, ice axe breaking on steeper ground & self belay. Relocation skills.

Day 5: Consolidation of cramponing techniques, plan the big day - ascent of Ben Macdui incorporating tactical navigation techniques incl. boxing, attack points, aiming off, doglegging, etc.

Day 6: Ascent of Ben Macdui taking in views into the Lairig Ghru and Loch A'an, 2 of the most spectacular features of the Highlands. Advanced contour interpretation

Comments from previous guests:
All round great week - fantastic food, warm hospitality, great instruction and a really good group of people to enjoy & learn with. I learned new things every day and appreciated learning winter navigation the most. (Vickie Sheriff)
A special week with very speacial food - we will recommend very highly to friends (Malcolm and Paul Chalmers)
Scrumptious - I'll be back for more (Ken Kingston)
Thanks for a bostin' week! I learnt loads (Andrew Downes)
Thanks for the amazing food. Hope this brings even a fraction of the culinary joy you brought us! (Peter Bradley)