5 Day Advanced Winter Skills Course

Day 1: Meet at Aviemore Tiso and then an introduction to winter in the Cairngorms and group discussion surrounding your aims. Participants will learn about winter hazards, personal equipment, avalanche awareness, weather reports, and route planning specific to winter. We will go on a journey and introduce you to ice axes, crampons and how to use both and when.

Day 2: Winter navigation. Participants will learn advanced navigation (not forgetting everything we did yesterday and still putting that into practice) techniques using map and compass, GPS and terrain association. They will have the opportunity to put their new skills into practice in the field.

Day 3: Avalanche awareness and snowpack analysis. Participants will learn how to assess avalanche risk, make informed decisions and travel safely in avalanche terrain. They will practice techniques for avoiding avalanche prone terrain and spotting this from forecasters as well as on the hill. On this day we will also look at emergency shelters and how they are dug.

Day 4: Steep ground movement. Participants will learn advanced techniques for moving safely on steep terrain with one axe, including variable terrain, and use of the rope . They will have the opportunity to practice these skills on a route of appropriate difficulty – possibly something like fiacaill ridge.

Day 5: Consolidation day. Participants will have the opportunity to practice all the skills they have learned over the course of the week in a practical setting. There will also be a debrief and review of the week’s activities.

Throughout the course, participants will be taught by highly experienced and qualified instructors (members of AMI) who are intimately familiar with the area and its unique challenges. They will be based in the Cairngorms, giving them ample opportunity to practice their skills in real-life situations while exploring the rugged and spectacular terrain of the area. By the end of the course, participants will have the confidence and skills to plan and undertake winter mountaineering activities independently, making them a competent and safe winter walker.

We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the area for people when you are up for your advanced 5 day winter skills course:

Aviemore:

Youth Hostel A budget friendly option for people.

Coylumbridge Hotel Aviemroe – good for groups and families alike.

Premier Inn – always a good shout.

Rothiemurchus Campsite – situated in the stunning forest, this is a beautiful budget friendly option.

Glenmore Campsite – situated at Scotland’s highest beach, Loch Morlich has phenomenal views across to Cairngorm Mountain.

Newtonmore & Surrounding Areas:

https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/ award winning accommodation in the Highlands – perfect to stay at while up on an outdoor adventure.

Invernahavon Caravan Park – a bit quieter than the others as it is a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Aviemore.

Dalraddy Holiday Park – a family and dog friendly campsite.

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 advanced 5 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.
• Waterproof trousers and jacket 
• B2 boots (Tiso in Aviemore is the best place to hire if you don’t have your own)
• Rucksack 30 litres or so will suffice
• Compass and ideally a 1:50k map of Cairngorm Mountain

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  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.
• Hat/Gloves