Winter Mountain Skills in the Lake District - 1 Day

winter skills

lake district

For hill walkers moving into winter conditions, this course covers the essentials: winter navigation, ice axe and crampon use, avalanche awareness, and safe route planning.

Ideal for summer walkers looking to build confidence and stay safe in snow and ice.

1 DAY COURSE

PRICES:£120pp

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COURSE OVERVIEW

This winter mountain skills course is designed to prepare you for safe and confident travel in the hills during the most challenging season. While we aim to operate in snow and ice, changing conditions in the Lake District mean this can’t be guaranteed.

The focus is on mountain preparedness - understanding what to pack, how to stay safe in rain, wind, snow, or ice, and how to manage yourself and your equipment in winter conditions.

If snow and ice are present, we’ll cover essential skills such as ice axe and crampon use, bootwork, and self-arrest techniques. We often use the Helvellyn area, including Striding Edge, Swirral Edge, and the Red Tarn headwall, for practical training in varied terrain.

COURSE OUTLINE

Gear and Equipment:

We’ll cover everything you need to stay warm, dry, and safe in the winter hills - from essential clothing systems to the right boots and how to fit crampons properly. You’ll learn how to pack efficiently and use key winter tools such as ice axes and crampons when conditions require them.

Navigation Essentials:

Good navigation is critical in winter. You’ll practise using a map and compass in poor visibility, learn strategies for navigating snow-covered terrain, and understand how winter conditions can affect route choice and accuracy.

Route Planning and Avalanche Awareness:

We’ll look at how to plan a safe and enjoyable winter day in the mountains, with an introduction to avalanche awareness. You’ll learn how to identify potential avalanche terrain, understand key factors like slope angle and recent weather, and make informed decisions using forecasts and basic planning tools.

Snow and Ice Techniques (conditions dependent):

If snow and ice are present, we’ll teach safe and efficient movement on winter ground. This includes ascending and descending snow slopes, using crampons on mixed terrain, and applying ice axe techniques such as step cutting and self-arrest. Locations like Striding Edge and the Red Tarn headwall may be used for realistic practice.

Emergencies on the Hill:

You’ll gain a clear understanding of how to respond to incidents in winter conditions — from staying warm and managing a group shelter, to calling for help and communicating with Mountain Rescue. We’ll also cover how to prevent issues like hypothermia before they arise.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

A supportive learning environment with experienced instructors.
Time spent in real mountain terrain with plenty of opportunities to practice essential winter skills.
A flexible approach - snow and ice are not guaranteed, especially in the Lake District, so we adapt the programme to make the most of what's available while still delivering core winter hill skills.
Plenty of learning through doing. This is an active, outdoor course with time on the mountain.
A focus on safety and self-reliance..

SKILLS COVERED:

Winter clothing, boots, and equipment selection
Packing and preparing for a winter day in the mountains
Correct fitting and use of crampons and ice axe
Safe movement on snow and icy terrain
Ice axe techniques including step cutting and self-arrest
Crampon techniques for different slope angles
Navigation with map and compass
Introduction to avalanche awareness and safe route choice
Emergency procedures, including use of group shelters
Recognising and managing cold-related conditions (e.g. hypothermia)
Calling and communicating with Mountain Rescue
Mountain decision-making and risk management in winter environment

WHAT YOU NEED:

You will need to wear suitable clothing for winter mountaineering, including a full set of waterproofs, warm layers, hat & gloves, ski goggles and winter mountaineering boots.

These boots should be rigid and rated to B1/B2 standard (we can advise during the booking stage).

Boots can be hired from LDM, subject to sizes and availability of our stocks.

We can provide crampons, ice axe, helmets and other technical equipment.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

Hillwalkers with summer experience looking to take their first steps into winter conditions
Anyone wanting to build confidence and independence in the UK mountains during winter
Those who want to learn how to use crampons, ice axes, and other winter equipment safely
Walkers aiming to understand winter navigation, avalanche awareness, and emergency procedures
Ideal for individuals or groups looking for a practical, skills-focused introduction to winter mountain travel

Suitable for ages 18+

Ideal participants should have some basic hillwalking experience and be comfortable on uneven, often steep terrain in cold and challenging weather, with a rucksack. Prior navigation or technical skills aren’t essential, but a good level of fitness and some summer hill walking expeience will help you get the most from the course.

dates

23rd January

2026

Course full — join the waiting list! We’ll open additional spots if demand is high.

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Winter Course Conditions:

If there is no snow/ice present for the Lake District Courses - we will still run them as a mountain skills course witha focus on navigation and mountain prepardness is adverse weather.

Please take a look at our

Scottish Winter Skills courses

for more reliable snow/ice conditions.

We expect to put more dates up when conditions allow in the new year.

Due to the ephemeral nature of winter in the Lakes, we are more reactive to weather when running these courses.