Winter Skills Courses
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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. |
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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.
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One Day Basic Winter Skills Course
£125 per person* Maximum ratio 1:6 3rd January 2025 - 4 SPACES 24th January 2025 - 5 SPACES 14th February 2025 - 5 SPACES |
Private Instruction
Prices are per day*: 1 person - £300 2 people - £165 per person (£330 total) 3 people - £120 per person (£360 total) 4-6 people - £97 to £65 per person (£390 total) Please Contact Us to check our availability or to get a quote for larger groups. |
*If the weather allows then you may be able to make use of the ski lifts at either Glencoe Mountain or Nevis Range to quickly reach the snow line. This will give you more time to learn and practice all your new skills, but there is an extra cost for the uplift.
Uplift prices as of winter 2025:
Glencoe Mountain - £13 per person
Nevis Range - £27.50 per person
Uplift prices as of winter 2025:
Glencoe Mountain - £13 per person
Nevis Range - £27.50 per person
To make sure you get the most out of your day we've included the following:
- Kit list
- Helmet
- Safety Brief
- Experienced Mountain Leader
- 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 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 Ben Nevis Kit Hire in Fort William hire out winter boots, crampons and ice axes. They can also supply walking poles and clear goggles. Please contact them directly to book - benneviskithire.com
