FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
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Our popular Winter Workshops will be running again for the Fort William Mountain Festival in February 2019. Join a full day Winter Walking Skills Workshop to learn all the basic skills you need to start exploring the Scottish mountains in the winter. An Avalanche Awareness Workshop will teach you how to recognise when and where avalanches may occur, and how to avoid them, then finish off your long weekend in style by joining fellow winter enthusiasts on our Ben Nevis Guided Walk.
Each Winter Skills and Avalanche Awareness Workshop starts at 8.45am at Nevis Range where we take the gondola to 650m, getting on to the snow and ice with minimum walking time. We finish for the last gondola back down at about 4.30pm so you get a full seven hours of coaching. The Ben Nevis Guided Walk starts at The Ben Nevis Inn, Achintee at 8.30am. It will take 4 to 5 hours to reach the summit and 3 to 4 hours to descend again so we'll be back down by around 5pm. The Ben Nevis Inn is an excellent place for a debrief at the end of the day! |
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Are you climbing at about grade IV or V, and keen to now step it up a level? We will once again be running a two day Performance Winter Climbing Workshop. Join one of our experienced guides to learn the skills and techniques that you need to finally climb that harder grade.
Can't make the dates below? Have a look at our Winter Skills, Avalanche Awareness, Ben Nevis Winter Ascent and Winter Climbing courses to make a private booking.
If you are interested in joining one of the workshops please get in touch to check our availability and make a booking.
Can't make the dates below? Have a look at our Winter Skills, Avalanche Awareness, Ben Nevis Winter Ascent and Winter Climbing courses to make a private booking.
If you are interested in joining one of the workshops please get in touch to check our availability and make a booking.
Winter Walking Skills WorkshopsAimed at winter novices and covering basic movement skills, ice axe and crampon use, self arrest and route choice. If you have some summer walking experience and want to find out what is involved in winter walking this is the one for you.
£60 per person 21st February 2019 23rd February 2019 |
Avalanche Awareness WorkshopsFor people with some winter experience who want a more in-depth knowledge of avalanches and how to avoid them. A brief theory session is then followed by a full day of snow analysis all over Aonach Mor. Suitable for everyone who enjoys getting out in winter: skiers, snowboarders, winter hill walkers and climbers.
£60 per person 22nd February 2019 |
Ben Nevis Guided WalkYour opportunity to reach the highest point in the UK in full winter conditions with the expert guidance and care of a Winter Mountain Leader. The route does not entail any steep ground but the use of crampons and an ice axe is likely to be required. If these are new to you, come on a Winter Walking Skills Workshop to be fully prepared.
£60 per person 24th February 2019 |
Performance Winter Climbing WorkshopFrustrated at grade IV? Fearful of grade V? Secretly seeking grade VI? Aimed at people who already have winter climbing experience, this is your chance to get expert coaching and push your grade to the next level.
Day one will be spent indoors looking at movement skills for ice and mixed climbing, then put everything into practice during a guided climb on day two. |
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Winter Walking Skills Workshop
21st February 2019 23rd February 2019 £60 per person |
Avalanche Awareness Workshop
22nd February 2019 £60 per person |
Ben Nevis Guided Walk
24th February 2019 £60 per person |
Performance Winter Climbing Workshop
23rd - 24th February 2019 £240 per person |
To make sure you get the most out of your day we've included the following:
- Kit list
- Helmet (and harness for the Performance Winter Climbing Workshop)
- 10% off at Cotswold Outdoor in Fort William
- 10% off at SYHA hostels
- Safety Brief
- Experienced Mountain Leader or Mountaineering Instructor
- Action photos
The weather in the Scottish mountains can change in a matter of minutes. Snow is likely and it can regularly feel as cold as -20 degrees Celsius on the summits. Make sure you are ready for your day by packing the items on the list below.
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To wear
Thermal base layers – polyester or woollen, no cotton Warm fleece Walking trousers – no jeans Spare fleece or synthetic insulating layer Waterproof jacket and trousers with side zips Warm hat and gloves (spare gloves recommended) Stiff walking boots – B2 or B3 rated |
Other equipment
Rucksack – roughly 30 litres Mountaineering ice axe and crampons for Winter Skills, Avalanche Awareness and Ben Nevis Technical ice axes and crampons for the Performance Winter Climbing Workshop Helmet (and harness for the Performance Winter Climbing Workshop) Lunch and spare food 1 litre flask or water bottle Head torch Ski goggles Map and compass Whistle Walking poles (recommended but not essential) Sunglasses & sun cream Mobile phone in a waterproof case Camera |
If you need winter equipment Ellis Brigham in Fort William hire out winter boots, crampons and ice axes. Please contact them directly to book:
fort.william@ellis-brigham.com | 01397 706220
fort.william@ellis-brigham.com | 01397 706220
