Winter Skills Courses

Before heading out in winter you should feel confident in your hiking skills and be prepared for the increased challenges from more extreme weather. Even as you feel more confident it’s still a good idea to go out with someone who has experience of winter walking such as a friend, family or club member. You may also wish to take part in a winter skills training course. There are few better ways to learn the skills you need than being taught face-to-face by an experienced instructor.

One of the most popular ways of doing this is to book in to one of the UK’s mountain centres, which offer full board and accommodation to go with winter skills course itineraries which cover crampon and ice axe use, avalanche awareness and much more. The Plas y Brenin centre in Snowdonia is a great option, as is Scotland’s Glenmore Lodge, with the vast arctic plateau of the Cairngorms – and Britain’s most ‘reliable’ winter conditions – on its doorstep. See their websites for the full range of courses.

Plas y Brenin, Eryri/Snowdonia, Wales

Glenmore Lodge, Cairngorms, Scotland

If you’d rather learn winter skills closer to home you can find professional instructors local to you through the Mountain Training website.