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Winter Skills Foundations

Level: Foundation

Learn the movement, equipment and decisions behind confident winter walking.

Format
Course
Duration
2 days
Pathway
Winter
Group
Up to 4 participants per instructor

£225 per person

Course Overview

Winter Skills Foundations is a two-day introduction for summer hillwalkers moving into snow and ice. Based from Aviemore, the course combines focused practice with a mountain journey so you can apply equipment, movement, navigation and planning skills in real conditions. Winter is variable, so the exact venue and sequence change with snow, weather and avalanche information. This is a dependable starting point for making better decisions and moving more securely in the winter mountains.

Key Information

  • Based in Aviemore, Cairngorms. We choose the exact venue around conditions and the skills being practised.

  • Up to 4 participants per instructor. The booking details show spaces available on each date.

Who It's For

  • Summer hillwalkers planning their first Scottish winter days.
  • People with limited winter experience who want to establish sound habits.
  • Walkers who want structured practice with an ice axe and crampons.

Skills Covered

  • Winter clothing, boots, equipment and personal organisation.
  • Efficient movement on snow with and without crampons.
  • Using an ice axe for support and basic arrest practice where appropriate.
  • Winter route planning, navigation and the effect of snow on terrain.
  • Avalanche awareness, weather and emergency procedures.

Pre-requisites

Previous summer hillwalking is expected. You need enough fitness for a full mountain day carrying a winter pack; prior winter skills are not required.

What to Bring

Winter boots compatible with your crampons; a mountaineering axe and crampons; map and compass; waterproofs and insulating layers; spare gloves, hat and goggles; headtorch with spare power; food, warm drink and personal medication.

We can provide a mountaineering axe, crampons and a helmet. If you have your own, please bring them with you.

You will need suitable winter mountaineering boots: B2-rated boots are our normal minimum, and we can provide B2 boots where needed.

Itinerary

The exact plan may adapt to weather, venue conditions and the group's experience. The stages below describe the intended focus.

Dates & Prices

£225 per person. Choose a confirmed date below, or register your interest while dates are being finalised.

Dates, prices and places for Winter Skills Foundations
Dates Location Price per person Places Book
Thu-Fri 14-15 Jan 2027 Cairngorms · Aviemore £225 per person 4 places left Book now, Thu-Fri 14-15 Jan 2027
Mon-Tue 8-9 Feb 2027 Cairngorms · Aviemore £225 per person 4 places left Book now, Mon-Tue 8-9 Feb 2027

Tailored development built around you

Need a different date?

If the published dates do not work, ask about a private winter skills foundations course. Tell us your experience, group size and preferred dates so we can confirm availability and a quote.

View Bespoke Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Winter Skills Foundations FAQs

Is this suitable for my first Scottish winter trip?

Yes, if you already have summer hillwalking experience and the fitness for a mountain day with a winter pack. Previous axe-and-crampon use is not required.

Will we practise ice-axe arrest?

Where snow and terrain allow, we introduce appropriate arrest practice alongside movement and slip prevention. The exercises depend on conditions rather than being guaranteed on every date.

Do you guarantee a summit?

No. The priority is learning the skills and making appropriate decisions. A mountain journey gives them context, but the route and high point depend on conditions.

Can I hire winter equipment?

Yes, and there is no hire charge: the winter technical equipment for this course is included in the course price, provided it is requested in advance (for each participant when you book). We can provide B2 boots where needed, but we don't supply B3 boots.

Is this a winter climbing course?

It teaches winter walking skills. Winter Mountaineering and Winter Climbing build on those foundations for steeper and roped terrain.

Kit & Equipment FAQs

What if I do not have all the equipment?

Contact us before booking or buying kit. We will confirm what you need, what can be arranged and any hire charges for this course.

What happens if the weather changes?

We choose terrain around snow, wind, visibility and the avalanche forecast. Routes and exercises may change; we will discuss the arrangements if conditions prevent the intended activity.

Booking & Cancellation FAQs

Can I book one place?

Yes. Public courses and workshops are priced per person, so you can book an individual place and join others. Check the page prerequisites before booking; you do not need to provide a whole group yourself.

How do I book?

Choose the course or workshop, check the date and location, and follow Book now. Complete the requested participant information and payment steps. If you are unsure about suitability or need equipment advice, contact us before completing the booking.

How do I pay?

Bookings below £300, or made fewer than 42 days before the start, are payable in full. For bookings of £300 or more made at least 42 days before the start, a deposit option is available, with the balance due 30 days before the start. The booking page confirms the amount due when you book.

Are prices per person or for the whole group?

Public course and workshop prices are per person. Private delivery is quoted separately for the agreed format and group. Mountain Leader reassessment is priced according to the scope agreed after reviewing your report.

Can I cancel or move my booking?

Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy before booking. It explains the applicable notice periods, charges and options for moving a place. Contact us promptly if your circumstances change, giving your booking name and date.

What if I am ill or injured before the course?

Contact us as soon as you know you may be unable to attend. Changes, transfers and refunds are handled under the Booking & Cancellation Policy. Let us know before the day rather than arriving unsure whether you can take part.

What happens if LDM changes or cancels the event?

We will contact you to explain the change and the options available under our booking terms. Read the policy before booking, particularly before making separate travel or accommodation arrangements.

What happens if minimum numbers are not reached?

Public dates depend on sufficient bookings. If numbers affect your date, we will explain the situation and the options under our booking terms. The places shown online are availability, not a promise that minimum numbers have already been met.

The date is full. Can I join a waiting list?

Use Join the waiting list where it is shown, or contact us with the course and date. A waiting-list request is not a confirmed booking; we will contact you if a suitable place becomes available.

There are no dates listed. Can I register interest?

Yes. Use Register interest or contact us with the offering and your preferred dates. We can let you know about forthcoming public dates or discuss private delivery, subject to availability.

Can I use an existing voucher?

Yes. We will honour valid existing vouchers as the booking system changes. Contact us with the voucher details before paying so we can explain how to apply it.

Can I give my place to someone else?

Contact us before arranging a replacement. We need to check the booking terms, the other participant's suitability and their details before confirming whether a transfer is possible.

I have not received booking confirmation. What should I do?

Check your spam or junk folder, then contact us with the booking name, course and date. Please check with us before making a second payment so we can establish what happened.

Structured progression

Your next step

You will understand the essential winter-walking toolkit and have practised using it during a journey, with clear guidance on safe consolidation.

  • Winter Skills & Summits

    Pathway: Winter

    Level: Progression

    Develop winter-walking skills through bigger mountain journeys in the West Highlands.

    A walker in an orange jacket on a snowy ridge below a summit
  • Avalanche Awareness

    Pathway: Winter

    Level: Foundation

    Learn to use avalanche forecasts, terrain and real snow observations to make better winter route choices.

    A mountaineer with a shovel checks the snowpack on a winter slope
  • Winter Navigation

    Pathway: Winter

    Level: Progression

    Adapt map-and-compass navigation to snow-covered terrain, poor visibility and the additional decisions of winter.

    Two figures on a snowy plateau in poor visibility

Reading to support your learning

Knowledge Hub

  • Preparing for Your Winter Skills or Mountaineering Course

    Pathway: Winter, , 9 min read

    Level: All levels

    Winter Courses with LDM - hints and tips, equipment, gear and recommendations for winter climbing and mountaineering.

    Resource type: Kit & Gear

  • LDM - Winter Round up 2022

    Pathway: Winter, , 3 min read

    Level: All levels

    Lake District Mountaineering have enjoyed a busy winter season - running skills courses, private guided days and taking lots of great people into the winter mountains.

    Resource type: Inspiration

    Four walkers with ice axes cross a snowy plateau below a corrie rim
  • Choosing boots for winter mountaineering

    Pathway: Winter, , 4 min read

    Level: Foundation

    Helping you choose the right boots for winter mountaineering

    Resource type: Kit & Gear

    Two walkers on a snowy ridge, lit from behind by a low winter sun

Why choose Lake District Mountaineering?

  • Highly qualified instructors. MCI and WMCI qualified professionals.
  • Small groups, real attention. More time for coaching and feedback from your instructor.
  • Structured progression. Every course builds towards real independence in the mountains.
  • Real mountain environments. Trained on the fells of the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.