2 Day Winter Skills Course (Saturday & Sunday)

A two-day winter skills course in the Cairngorms covering crampons, ice axes, avalanche awareness and winter navigation, led by a qualified Winter Mountain Leader.

Run by Not About The Summit, this small-group course teaches the core skills for safe winter hillwalking in the UK mountains, suitable for first-time crampon and ice axe users as well as those wanting a refresher. Day one covers movement on snow and ice including ice axe arrest, avalanche hazard reports, winter navigation, emergency procedures and kit advice, with a cafe briefing in Aviemore before heading onto the hill. Day two applies those skills on a full mountain journey with around 600m of ascent, requiring fitness for roughly six hours of walking. Participants must bring their own helmet, ice axe, crampons and compatible boots, with hire available locally.