Scottish Winter Courses
List Trips
Scotland is a superb training ground for climbers preparing for the Alps and mountaineering in the Greater Ranges.
The unique combination of weather and terrain makes for an unparalleled, challenging mountain experience. Our Scottish Winter Courses cover a wide range of instruction, from introductory winter walking to high standard snow, ice and mixed climbing.Read more about our Scottish Winter Courses »
Introductory Long Weekend
A taster course for those with no experience of winter hill walking or mountaineering. You should come away having learnt cramponing, ice axe arrests and avalanche awareness, as well as having practiced safe movement over steep ground.
Difficulty
Prices
to be announcedDuration
4 Nights(3 days guided)
Region
Scotland
Introductory Winter Mountaineering
This course is designed for those with no previous winter hill walking or mountaineering experience, or for those who want a refresher in the skills needed to walk or climb safely in Scotland in winter.
Difficulty
Prices
to be announcedDuration
6 Nights(5 days guided)
Region
Scotland
UK Private Guiding (Scottish Winter)
We frequently arrange private guiding in Scotland, often as an add on or as a precursor to one of our courses. You might wish to spend some time having 1:1 instruction, or it could be that you have a specific climb in mind or grade that you would like to achieve. Please contact us to discuss your aspirations.
Difficulty
Prices
quote on requestDuration
2 NightsRegion
Scotland
Winter Mountaineering
Our Winter Mountaineering course is the first choice for those who aspire to climb graded Scottish Winter routes. You will need to have done an introductory course before or already have some winter experience.
Difficulty
Prices
to be announcedDuration
6 Nights(5 days guided)
Region
Scotland
Winter Summits
A course for those who have already attended our Introductory Winter Mountaineering course who would like to consolidate their skills, rather than moving onto steeper graded climbs using ropes.
Difficulty
Prices
to be announcedDuration
6 Nights(5 days guided)
Region
ScotlandIntroduction
| Scottish Winter Courses Blog |
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| A plan so cunning...... 22/Mar/15 “Dave wanted the opportunity to have a go at his first lead. Jane was on the Winter Mountaineering... |
| Ben Nevis Picnics 18/Mar/15 “It seems to have got quiet in March over the last few years, which is a shame, since March is... |
| Buachaille Cotopaxi Beag 17/Mar/15 “Yesterday was the final of 3 days for a group of 16 patients from Harefield Hospital. All are... |
| Scotland "showing off"; this week's courses end on a high 13/Mar/15 “This week we had Introductory, Winter Mountaineering and Snow & Ice courses running.� It has been... |
| Read more from our Scottish Winter Courses Blog » |
Our Scottish Winter Courses are designed to provide you with the skills to venture into the mountains more confidently on your own, tackle a more challenging climbing course, or join an expedition or tough trek.
Ben Nevis and Glen Coe
Our base is strategically located in the Western Highlands, at the foot of Glen Coe with access to Ben Nevis. This is the best location in Scotland for reliable mountaineering snow and ice conditions. You will experience a variety of venues, normally including Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, as well as Aonach Mor and the Mamores. Mountaineering conditions can be fickle in Scotland, but compared to the Cairngorms in the east, the Western Highlands win out season after season for good mountaineering days.
High calibre Guides and Instructors
We have a professional, dedicated and experienced Instructor core. They know the mountains extremely well and some of them choose to live there year round. They pride themselves in their flexibility and desire to maximise your time in the mountains. We do not impose a course syllabus on them that they have to deliver, meaning you get a more tailored and personal course. Most of our guides and instructors also lead expeditions for us further afield and are able to advise you about your future mountaineering plans.Superb accommodation
You are accommodated in the newly-refurbished (2021) 3-star Ballachulish Hotel. The hotel has everything you need to relax after an energetic day on the hill with en-suite rooms, comfortable bar and restaurant. You also have free access to indoor leisure facilities, including swimming pool and sauna at the nearby Isles of Glencoe hotel. The course price includes full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the hotel on a twin-sharing basis. If you would like a single room, a supplement is payable (subject to availability). Additional hotel nights can also be booked - See course PDFs for up-to-date prices.
The Ballachulish is a 2 hour drive from Glasgow airport or a 20 minute taxi ride from Fort William...read more »
Calendar
No Forthcoming Trips
No dates have been released yet.
Details
Instructors
“The overwhelming knowledge of Mungo and Alex was fantastic. Any question asked was answered with incredible detail and also with extra valuable information.” AT, Introductory Long Weekend
Ed Chard and Max Hunter are our Senior Course Directors in Scotland. Ed holds the Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor qualification (WMCI) and is a full time outdoor educationalist dividing his time with both young people and adults in all areas of UK mountain training. He has been a key personality on our Scottish Winter Courses an since 2002, is a superb instructor and great fun to be with on the hill. Ed has also led numerous expeditions for Jagged Globe in Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Europe. These include expeditions to Mera and Island Peak, Khumbu Climber, Stok Kangri, Huascaran and Alpamayo. Max Hunter also holds the WMCI qualification and has over ten years' experience as an Instructor. He has been involved with Jagged Globe courses since 2008 and also leads expeditions for us each year... read more »
Climber to Instructor Ratios
Introductory Winter Mountaineering and Winter MountaineeringThe Instructor to participant ratio varies during the course, depending on each activity being undertaken. This flexibility allows us to manage the courses more efficiently and gives you the chance to climb at a higher ratio. Outline activity ratios are
- Introductory skills (Mountain travel, navigation and general skills) - 1:6
- General mountaineering (I) - 1:4
- Graded climbing (II/III/IV/V) - 1:2
Introductory Long Weekend
As for the Introductory and Winter Mountaineering Courses, the ratios vary according to the level of instruction that is being undertaken. The ratios are as given above.
Winter Summits
- General mountaineering (I) - 1:4
Snow and Ice Climbing
There are 2 climbers to one Instructor for all climbing activities on the Snow and Ice Climbing courses. Exceptionally, the introductory skills day may be conducted at an increased ratio of four students to an instructor.
Venues and Travel
Course timingsThe 5-day courses start at 6pm on Sunday evening and finish at 6pm on the evening of the following Friday. The 3-day weekend courses start at 6pm on Friday evening and finish at 6pm on the evening of the following Monday.
The Ballachulish Hotel
“Breakfast and dinner was plentiful and the lunch flapjack and snickers bar well received. Also hot Ribena kept me going! Service was brilliant too.” SD, Introductory Winter Mountaineering
“The hotel staff were very helpful. The hotel was situated in an amazing location. Warm and comfortable and relaxing.” DN, Winter Mountaineering.
Travel arrangements
Course members should make their own travel arrangements to and from Ballachulish, which is approximately 12 miles south of Fort William and 1.5 - 2 hours drive north from Glasgow. Fort William is well served by Rail, including a sleeper service. A regular coach service also operates from Glasgow and Inverness to Glencoe village, Ballachulish and Fort William. Both Glasgow and Inverness can be reached by air, or train. Taxis and car hire are available locally. There is easy access by road (A82) from the south and north.
Equipment
A detailed equipment list is included in the course information PDF, which can be downloaded for each course on this website. We provide all communal climbing equipment for each course. For all courses you need to provide your own clothing and some items of personal equipment, including boots. If you do not have boots then these are available to borrow, but please reserve them in advance.We provide Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet and Harness, free of charge on all courses.
