- Guided Hillwalking Across the Scottish Highlands

Winter Skills Courses

If you are looking to make the step into visiting the Scottish mountains in winter then it is advisable to learn and practice the necessary skills before you go. King Mountaineering offers winter skills courses throughout the winter season which aim to equip you with the key skills, techniques, and confidence to go out and have safe winter mountain journeys of your own. We can tailor the course to suit your needs and what you would like to get from your days in the winter mountains but typically we will aim to cover the following based on what the conditions allow:

  • Route planning
  • Interpretting avalanche and weather forecasts
  • Equipment and clothing
  • Avalanche awareness on the hill
  • Personal movement skills on snow & cutting steps
  • Walking in crampons
  • Self-belay/ice-axe arrest

There will be a focus on the ‘Be Avalanche Aware‘ guidelines published by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service to look at good planning before heading onto the hill and good decision making throughout our mountain journey. To discuss arranging a course then do get in touch.

Pre-requisites: you should have experience of hillwalking in the mountains in the summer and be able to look after yourself in the mountain environment. No previous winter experience is required.

The exact location of courses will vary depending on conditions but will be in and around the Cairngorms. All days will begin at 8am, and you will need to bring your winter hillwalking kit, lunch and a drink (a flask of something warm is highly recommended!). A full winter kit list is available here.

It is necessary to wear crampon compatible winter boots and to bring ice-axe and crampons. These can be hired from local outdoor shops if required. If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch.