2 day winter skills course

The best 2-day winter skills course in Scotland, based in the Cairngorms, is an intensive and hands-on program that covers all the essential skills needed for winter mountaineering. We will meet in Aviemore outside Tiso in the morning of day one. Then we will head up to the mountain after an introduction and making sure everyone has everything they need (checks he what do I need to bring part of this page). On day one, participants will learn about the winter environment, including snowpack and avalanche awareness. They will then progress to practical skills, such as navigation, ice axe and crampon use, and emergency procedures. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice their skills in a variety of terrain and conditions.

On day two, participants will build on their skills from the previous day, practicing navigation and technical skills in more challenging terrain including an introduction to ropework relevant for the winter mountains. The course will be led by highly experienced and qualified instructors (members of AMI) who are intimately familiar with the area and its unique challenges.

We pride ourselves on providing as much kit as possible for you.  However, the list below is what we recommend you should bring to your 2 day winter skills course:

• Travel insurance. (We are insured for all our trips, but we recommend everyone has their own travel insurance as well.)
• Transportation to the venue. (We may be able to help with this though – if you need transportation please drop us an enquiry and we can see what we can do to help.)
• Lunch, water.
• Personal medication
• Sun cream, sunglasses
• Clear goggles – we may be able to provide if required please contact us.
• Waterproofs 
• Compass and ideally a 1:50k map of Cairngorm Mountain
• B2 boots (we may be able to arrange hire of these if needed; please contact us if this is the case. But people normally prefer to use their own)
• Rucksack 30 litres or so will suffice

Here at Highland Outdoor Adventures, we pride ourselves on providing as much as we can but you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you do prefer. The list below is what we provide you with on the day.

• All instruction.
• Crampons
• Ice Axes
• Ropes
• Helmets
• All first aid and safety equipment.
• Photographs of the day provided for you at no extra cost! If the weather is good we will have a DSLR professional camera and maybe even a drone, so we can take photos and videos of your adventure and you can look back at the day for years to come. If the weather is less favourable we will bring a GoPro (as it is waterproof) so we will still be able to take photos for you.