2-Day Scottish Winter Skills Course | Cairngorms Weekend Training
Scottish Winter
The 2-day winter skills course gives more time to practise and consolidate skills, and is ideal for people who want confident, independent winter travel. This course expands on 1-day fundamentals, adding deeper crampon technique, steep ground movement, avalanche awareness and winter route planning. This is the most common format used by high-quality Scottish providers.
Who this 2-day course is for ?
The 2 day winter skills course Scotland is for people :
- Summer walkers moving into winter conditions
- People who completed a 1-day course and want more practice
- Aspiring winter mountaineers planning independent days
Location of the Course
We primarily use Cairngorms venues and select slopes in Glencoe or Ben Nevis/Lochaber depending on conditions (local variations used by providers across Scotland).
Equipment & prerequisites
Prerequisites: basic hillwalking fitness and experience walking 4–6 hours in summer hills.
We provide: ice axes, crampons (if needed), ropes & group safety kit.
You bring: sturdy hill boots (B2/B3 preferable), waterproof layers, food and water, headtorch if winter daylight is short.
What you will learn (core skills)
Day 1 (consolidation):
- Short navigation exercises and compass use
- Self-arrest drills & recovery under varied snow conditions
- Ice-axe and crampon foundations (kicking steps, stance control)
Day 2 (advanced):
- Advanced crampon technique on steeper ground and mixed terrain
- Avalanche awareness: understanding simple forecasts, terrain traps & safe route choice (awareness level)
- Winter navigation in poor visibility (micro navigation, contour reading)
- Route planning, decision making and emergency procedures
Per Person
Guide Ratio
Day course
Dates for 2026 -2027
Winter Skills course dates :
We have just ran our last course this winter and will be releasing 2026 – 2027 dates in the spring
Book Your winter course Here
With our online system, booking your Lake District adventure is quick and easy. Choose your activity time and date, then reserve your spot with just a £50 deposit.
You can manage your booking, make payments, and update details anytime.
Enjoy group discounts for bookings of 10 or more. Plan your adventure with ease and flexibility!
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Progression & Next Steps
After this day people often join the 2-Day Scottish Winter Skills Course to consolidate skills, or progress to Lake District winter or mountaineering courses depending on goals.
Typical day (structure)
- Morning: equipment checks, ice-axe & crampon drills, short navigation exercises
- Afternoon: integrated movement practice on real slopes, simple rescue drills and Q&A
- Ratio: small groups with personalised coaching (we keep groups small to ensure learning)
How to book course ?
To book your place on this course you can
- Drop me a Whatsapp
- Book your space via the booking page
All bookings are done though our secure booking page.
Frequently Asked Question
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Q: Is avalanche training included?
A: We include avalanche awareness and terrain recognition (not full AV-pro training).
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Q: Will I be able to self-arrest by the end of the day?
A: Yes — that’s a core practical outcome.
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Q: How many people per instructor?
A: Small groups — we limit numbers to ensure personalised coaching.
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Q: What happens in poor weather
A: We adapt locations or programme to best learning conditions and safety.
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Q: Do you provide crampons and ice axes?
A: Yes — we can provide hire kit if required.
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Q: Is the 1-day course suitable for beginners?
A: Yes — it’s designed as an introduction; moderate fitness required.
