Winter skills & mountaineering courses Scotland

Scottish Winter Skills & Winter Mountaineering Courses

Why do a winter skills course?

This course is ideal to give an introduction to winter walking, how to look after yourself safely in mountainous areas of Ireland and UK during winter conditions, while under supervision of experienced and qualified instructors.

Benefits of winter skills

When the snow comes in the winter many people get very excited, the scenery is amazing with snow covered peaks, but the most important question to ask yourself is can you deal with the condition in winter? Do you have the proper equipment and more importantly do you have the knowledge and skills to use this equipment? Winter skills will build your skills to be able to make safe decisions while winter walking.

Contents of a winter skills course

4 full days covering many aspects of winter walking and winter skills. From walking up and down steep slopes in crampons to ice axe arresting yourself down a snow slope, digging a snow hole, judging if a slope is safe to walk across or is there an avalanche risk involved. During the course these skills will be passed on to you while enjoying some of the best winter walks that Highlands of Scotland has to offer, including Ben Nevis circuit, Glencoe and the Cairngorms. Technician equipment provided, helmet, harness, ice-axe and crampons. Luxury chalets wait you in the evening to relax and recharge the batteries.

Requirements for a Winter skills course

Have previous hill walking experience and hillwalking equipment, average to good fitness (5-6 hour hillwalks) and a good sense of humor.

Cost: €575 5% discount for Mountaineering Ireland Members

Course Dates 2010 12-17, 17-22, February, 26 Feb-3 March, 4-9 March

'The Irish Adventures Winter Skills training programme was an excellent experience. For those new to winter mountain skills, I found the training was delivered with patience, attention to safety and the optimum balance of practical experience and information.' Carol-Anne, Limerick

Winter Mountaineering Course

If you have already completed a winter skills course or have experience in winter skills and would like to progress then this is the course for you. This course will give you both skills and experience for technical winter mountaineering, beginning with climbs on some classic winter routes over the weekend. You will learn how to climb with two ice axes, place gear, make belays and climb together. During the course you will have the opportunity to climb some of the classic routes in Scotland, such as Ledge Route, Ben Nevis.

Experienced and qualified MIC instructors

You can get more detailed information on the courses at www.irishadventures.net or contact info@irishadventures.net or Noel on 087-4190318.