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Spend two days in the Cairngorms learning essential winter mountain skills with an overnight stay in a snowhole. This course is designed for confident summer hillwalkers who want to build knowledge and confidence in full winter conditions. It's practical, challenging, and offers a unique chance to sleep out on the plateau using the skills you've learned.
Day 1: Meet in Aviemore at 09:00 and transfer to the Cairngorm ski centre car park. You'll begin your ascent onto the plateau with a full winter pack, guided by experienced instructors. Skills sessions will run throughout the day and include how to walk safely in snow, use an ice axe and crampons, assess avalanche risk, and plan a safe route. Later in the day, the group will select a suitable site and dig individual or paired snowholes, which will be used for the overnight stay. Dinner is either catered or self-catered depending on your booking option.
Day 2: After breakfast in your snowhole, the day starts with navigation exercises using map and compass in poor visibility, along with emergency shelter techniques and snow anchor demonstrations if conditions allow. You'll finish the descent back to the ski centre car park in the afternoon, returning to Aviemore for a debrief. Optional onward transport to Inverness can be arranged if needed.
This course is based in the northern Cairngorms, with a starting point in Aviemore. From there, you'll travel to the Cairngorm ski centre to access the plateau, which offers some of the UK’s most reliable snow conditions.
With wide, open terrain and a high-altitude environment, it’s an ideal setting for learning realistic winter mountain skills in challenging but rewarding surroundings.
You should already be a confident summer hillwalker and feel comfortable navigating uneven ground for multiple hours while carrying a 12–15kg pack. No previous winter experience is required, but you will need good fitness and the ability to manage long days in cold, exposed conditions.
If you're not sure whether this course is right for you, get in touch for a chat before booking.
The centre is run by experienced instructors who specialise in delivering practical, hands-on winter training in the Scottish mountains. They focus on building your skills and confidence so you're better prepared for independent winter adventures.
With small group sizes and a remote overnight experience in a snowhole, this course offers both challenge and support in equal measure. All technical equipment is included, with the option to choose between catered or self-catered food.
Catered
Self Catered
Catered
Self Catered
No previous winter mountaineering experience is required, but you should be a confident summer hillwalker with a reasonable level of fitness. You’ll be carrying a winter rucksack with your overnight gear, including food, snow safety equipment and warm clothing, so being comfortable walking for several hours in potentially deep snow is important.
The trip is designed to be instructional, so you’ll be guided through all the key winter safety skills. Whether you’re new to winter conditions or just want a refresher, the weekend will focus on practical learning that builds confidence and decision-making in this environment.
Across the two days, you’ll cover a broad range of essential winter skills, including how to use ice axes and crampons correctly, basic ropework, snow anchors, and building emergency shelters. Avalanche awareness and micro-navigation will also be core parts of the training, helping you to make safer route choices in poor visibility.
Time will also be spent on assessing snow conditions, choosing safe lines of travel, and learning how to construct a snowhole properly. The aim is to give you the knowledge and practical experience to travel safely and independently in UK winter mountain terrain.
While technical climbing isn’t part of the course, the weekend does involve long days walking in snow with a heavy pack and possibly in challenging weather. You’ll need to be fit enough to manage around 6–8 hours on your feet each day, including digging and setting up your own snow shelter.
Carrying full winter kit in a strong wind can be tiring, especially on the plateau, where exposure to the elements is more significant. If you regularly hike in the hills or mountains during summer, you should be well-prepared for this course with some added winter training or time in the gym.
All specialist technical kit is provided, including a winter sleeping bag, Gore-Tex bivvy, mat, shovel, crampons, axe, helmet, harness, and a suitable expedition rucksack if needed. There are no hidden hire charges – it’s all part of the course fee.
You’ll need to bring your own winter clothing (including waterproofs, gloves, hat, insulated layers, and suitable boots) plus personal items like a headtorch, water bottle, and snacks. A full kit list will be sent to you on booking, and we’re happy to help with any questions or recommendations.
The aim of the course is to construct and sleep in a snowhole, and in most winters there's enough snow to allow for this. The Cairngorm Plateau is one of the best places in the UK to find suitable snow conditions for snow shelters.
If for any reason snow cover is inadequate or weather conditions make it unsafe, an alternative plan will be put in place. This could involve a bothy night, a different overnight shelter, or a focus on winter skills day training instead, but this is rare.
Epic adventure across the loch. Great tuition and equipment. Had a great afternoon out.
We had an amazing time! Beautiful location and a great guide!
Uitgevoerd door Mountain & Sea Guides, een partner van adventuro.
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