Skills Courses
Why winter, why the Cairngorms?
The unrivalled rewards & unique challenges of Scotland’s winter mountains make this season, for many, the best of all. For some of us the first snow falls of winter send a shiver of excitement down the backbone. The Cairngorms, protected from Gulf Stream warmth, are universally recognized as providing our most consistent snow and ice conditions. They’re Britain’s highest mountain range, Scotland’s high arctic and home to our most permanent snow beds. For some of their time they may be under brilliant blue skies, at other times immersed in freezing hill fog. Any protrusion above the snow becomes caked in beautiful rime ice crystals, all marking the air flow, striking in a windward direction. In the right conditions Brocken Spectres develop – your own suspended shadow surrounded by a circular rainbow following your every move. The soft winter light interacting with wind scoured, scallop shapes expose the snows infinite layers. The winter mountains aren’t for the faint hearted but to experience them in their full winter garb is to see them at their finest. So come and join us to enjoy this winter.
Classic Winter Cairngorms
Grade 3, Grade 4
6th February 2012 - 10th February 2012
£617.00 per person
Holiday in Britain’s high arctic, home to our most permanent snow beds. With so much ground above 3000ft, nowhere else are conditions so consistent - a winter mountain wonderland.
Introduction to Winter Skills
Grade 3
13th February 2012 - 17th February 2012
£585.00 per person
These 5 practical days are the passport for the aspiring winter mountain-walker. Learn how to use your winter boots, ice axe and crampons. Know how to avoid avalanches - we cover all the skills required for safe and efficient movement across snow and ice covered terrain. Mountain weather is as varied as the snow & ice it creates - be prepared for anything it may throw at you. Our navigation teaching in dealing with winter white-outs is unsurpassed. Suitable equipment, mountain weather, emergency snow shelters are all covered, plus a whole lot more…
Winter Skills Weekend
Grade 3
18th February 2012 - 19th February 2012
£223.00 per person
Learn how to use an ice axe & crampons. Utilise rigid winter boots to their full. Snow quickly evolves, recognise the dangers and know how to avoid avalanches. This weekend course concentrates on all the skills specific to safe and efficient movement over snow and ice covered terrain. Starting with good foot placement and finishing with stopping a sliding fall, this course is delivered very much from the perspective of prevention. Under the guidance of a qualified instructor adequate time is given over to practise so you leave the weekend feeling confident and proficient.
Snow Hole Expedition
Grade 3, Grade 4
26th February 2012 - 28th February 2012
£382.00 per person
Challenging! Rewarding! Memorable! This will be one of the most remarkable experiences of your life. Help construct a comfortable communal snowhole lit by the reflected light of candles! Wake up to the absolute silence of a pristine winter wonderland bathed in the soft light of a Cairngorm dawn.
Introduction to Ski Mountaineering
Grade 3
4th March 2012 - 8th March 2012
£0.00 per person
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.
Introduction to Winter Skills
Grade 3
4th March 2012 - 8th March 2012
£585.00 per person
These 5 practical days are the passport for the aspiring winter mountain-walker. Learn how to use your winter boots, ice axe and crampons. Know how to avoid avalanches - we cover all the skills required for safe and efficient movement across snow and ice covered terrain. Mountain weather is as varied as the snow & ice it creates - be prepared for anything it may throw at you. Our navigation teaching in dealing with winter white-outs is unsurpassed. Suitable equipment, mountain weather, emergency snow shelters are all covered, plus a whole lot more…
Snow Hole Expedition
Grade 3, Grade 4
10th March 2012 - 12th March 2012
£382.00 per person
Challenging! Rewarding! Memorable! This will be one of the most remarkable experiences of your life. Help construct a comfortable communal snowhole lit by the reflected light of candles! Wake up to the absolute silence of a pristine winter wonderland bathed in the soft light of a Cairngorm dawn.
Mountain Navigation Weekend
Grade 3
21st April 2012 - 22nd April 2012
£0.00 per person
Of all the skills for the hills, navigation is the most important - no surprise when you consider that up to 80% of mountain rescue call-outs stem from navigational errors. This course provides a firm grounding in the essential skills as well as developing the right tactical approach to good mountain navigation.
Mountain Skills and Navigation
21st May 2012 - 25th May 2012
£0.00 per person
You plan to go out in the mountains today. What will the weather be like? How long will the route take? What do I need to take? Learn how to use a map and compass, know about timing and pacing, ...
Mountain Navigation Weekend
Grade 3
9th June 2012 - 10th June 2012
£0.00 per person
Of all the skills for the hills, navigation is the most important - no surprise when you consider that up to 80% of mountain rescue call-outs stem from navigational errors. This course provides a firm grounding in the essential skills as well as developing the right tactical approach to good mountain navigation.
Winter conditions; blizzards, crystal clear days & nights, freeze - thaws, drifting, rime ice, neve, water ice. Snow & ice in Scotland is as varied and as changeable as the weather. You need to recognize its varying types, know how to evaluate avalanche hazard and cross snow and ice covered slopes safely and efficiently. White-outs - be sure your navigation skills can deal with the worst of winter conditions.
Featured Trip
West Highland Winter Munros - This is a great opportunity to experience the splendour of the northern Argyll Highlands in their full winter garb. We ascend all the best peaks this area has to offer area. We base ourselves at the very environmentally friendly Sithean Holiday Cottage just outside the Argyll village of Taynuilt nestled beneath the mighty Ben Cruachan and on the shores of Loch Etive. It’s an idyllic setting.
Holidays & Courses
Looking for an unusual Christmas or birthday present? Why not buy one of our holidays or courses? We'll design an individualised voucher for you to present to your loved one.
Green Travel Discount
Exclusive offer - In direct response to growing Climate Change, those who travel up to us by train or bus to Aviemore a £15 discount on the price of their holiday or course.
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