Introduction to Ski Mountaineering
more information on this course (650kb)
Grade 3
Escape the crowds to enjoy virgin slopes. This course combines mountaineering and skiiing skills to give you the chance to explore those tantalising wilderness areas which look so inviting.
This is for those who enjoy skiing but yearn to escape the crowds and paraphernalia of traditional Alpine skiing. It’s a course that combines the disciplines of both Mountaineering & skiing to produce what many may say is the ultimate in winter mountain travel. This course is a passport to virgin slopes and a world of winter wonderland mountain wildernesses!
The course takes place in the Cairngorms, Britain’s high arctic, our highest mountain range and home to our most perminant snow beds. With their high rolling plateau the Cairngorms are the ideal venue The aim of the course , after the first two days of winter skills refreshment and off piste coaching, is to embark on some of the classic tours these mountains have to offer.
Day 1 We begin by donning the skis to climb into the mountains for a day’s refreshment of all the essential winter skills. We cover ice axe and crampon techniques as well as the all important avalanche awareness and navigation skills. The day is ended by a ski descent down pisted slopes to return back to a roaring fire and Cake O’clock!
Day 2 This is where we take to the ski area so as maximise the opportunity to work on our off piste ski technique.
Day 3 We fix our skins and climb out of beautiful Glen Feshie to ascend for a traverse of Carn Ban More and then on to the dramatic summit of Sgorr Gaoith. In one direction the huge amphitheatre of Gleann Einich and in the other panoramic views west over ridge after ridge towards the giants of Lochaber.
Day 4 It’s to the hills of Drumochter and some central highland mountain wilderness. We climb to
Day 5 We end the week with an ascent and a tour across the plateau to Ben Macdui, Britain’s second highest peak.
Thanks to Christel Langeveld for the use of her ski pictures.
Mountain Innovations Ltd will pick up from Inverness airport at approx. 5pm, if required.
Mountain Innovations advises all clients to take out suitable insurance cover. We can offer you the names of some insurance companies clients have mentioned to us, but we can in no way endorse any particular company. Please feel free to check all available options.
Final choice of route on the day is at the discretion of Mountain Innovations Ltd and may depend on prevailing weather conditions &/or the fitness of the group.
We've added a FAQ section to the website for your information. Please feel free to have a look through - click here to go the FAQs. Some of your questions may well also be answered in the course info pdf above. If you can't find the answer to your query on the site please give us a call.
