Abacus Mountain Guides
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Winter Skills Courses

Winter Skills Courses

An introductory winter skills course will give you the basic skills you need to start heading out in the hills in winter. In a one day course we will cover all core skills such as what to wear and how to wear it, how to use your winter boots and ice axe to aid walking, crampon use, self-arresting a slip with your ice axe, avalanche awareness, navigation and emergency response.
If you have more time then a multi day course will allow us to go into more depth in all the above skills. We will be able to look at different navigation techniques, the construction of emergency shelters and perhaps take in a summit or two as we head higher into the mountains to practice your new skills. Or you could even go for a winter ascent of Ben Nevis.
If conditions allow we will make use of the Nevis Range gondola to carry us straight up to 650m so we can maximise our time on the hill. There are plenty of other options with short approaches if the gondola is unable to run.
Winter skills
Winter skills course are available with a private guide on any day of the week so get in touch to check our availability and make a booking.
CONTACT US
Winter skills ice axe arrest
Winter skills course
Winter walking skills
  • Prices
  • What's Included
  • Kit
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Winter Walking Skills
One Day Courses 2021

£80 per person

19th December 2020
2nd January 2021
16th January 2021
6th February 2021
20th February 2021
13th March 2021
27th March 2021
10th April 2021

Private Instruction
Prices are per day:

1 person - £225
2 people - £250
3 people - £275
4-6 people - £300
​​Please Contact Us to check our availability or to get a quote for larger groups.
To make sure you get the most out of your day we've included the following:​
  • Kit list
  • Helmet
  • 10% off at Cotswold Outdoor in Fort William
  • ​10% off at SYHA hostels
  • Safety Brief
  • Experienced Mountain Leader
  • Action photos
You will need to organise accommodation, lunch, personal equipment and insurance.
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.
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
Helmet
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
​Personal 1st Aid Kit - plasters, blister kit, all normal medication including asthma inhaler if you have one
​​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

Picture
Jottnar
info@abacusmountainguides.com
+44 (0) 1397 703563
  • Home
  • Adventures
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  • Contact
  • About
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  • 2020
  • Covid-19