Scottish Winter Skills

Take your first step to enjoying the mountains in winter with our intensive, five-day winter skills course based in Glen Coe.


Scotland

5 Days

Instructor Ratio6:1

Location

Scotland

Length

5 Days

Instructor Ratio

6:1

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Overview

You’ll gain confidence in a wide range of winter-specific skills, including how to choose and use winter equipment, basic winter navigation, safety and avalanche risk assessment. Our friendly, highly experienced instructors will make sure that you have covered what you need to know to explore the mountains all year round.

This course will be delivered from our scenic winter base in Scotland, the Alltshellach Hotel in North Ballachulish.

The Objectives 

We aim to cover the following topics:

  • What to wear and what to take with you on a winter day
  • Use of crampons and movement in winter
  • Use of the ice axe, including ice axe arrest
  • Managing your safety in winter
  • Basic winter navigation skills
  • Avalanche risk assessment

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What to Expect

Given the nature of this course, venues and day-to-day activities are weather and snow-dependent and decisions regarding the exact day’s programme will be decided by the course director each morning. The whole group will meet for a morning briefing each day, allowing you to share the decision-making process with experienced instructors.

Experience Required

You should be a keen summer hillwalker with a desire to head out in winter.

How Should I Prepare?

You should have summer hillwalking experience, but no previous winter walking experience is needed.

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Why Plas y Brenin?

Plas y Brenin is at the forefront of outdoor instruction. Whether you are starting a career in the outdoors, or just want to take an adventure holiday, PYB is the place for you.

We inspire explorers. We train trainers. We’re internationally recognised. We’ve been around since 1798, with our earliest guests including Queen Victoria. Since then, we’ve focussed on providing the best customer experience, working alongside some of the greatest, 007 included.

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Expert Tuition

You’ll receive expert supervision from fully qualified and psyched instructors, creating the perfect environment to learn and enjoy something new!

Our Instructors

Explore Eryri

Your experience will take place in the heart of the extraordinary Eryri National Park. Our National Outdoor Centre features accommodation, a bar, dining, and more. And while you’re here, why not check out some local gems?

Explore Eryri

Develop a Passion

Everyone at Plas y Brenin, from staff to visitors, is excited about adventures and inspired to get outside. Our guests return year after year to experience all that North Wales offers.