Winter Skills Courses in Scotland’s Cairngorms
Build your confidence and skills for Scotland’s winter mountains
1 and 2-Day Winter Skills Courses (Aviemore & Braemar)
Learn the essential skills to explore Scotland's mountains safely and confidently in winter
Our practical Winter Skills courses cover ice axe and crampon techniques, winter navigation and avalanche awareness. Led by experienced, qualified instructors, our small-group courses are ideal for hillwalkers looking to take their first steps into winter conditions or develop their existing skills.
Choose from one-day introductory sessions, two-day courses or private training tailored to your experience and goals.
Course Information
Locations: Aviemore & Braemar
Course duration: 1 or 2 days
Prices: From £80
Group size: Maximum 6 participants per instructor
Equipment: Ice axe, crampons & helmet provided
Instruction: Qualified winter instructors
Our 2027 winter skills dates (booking via the links):
Winter Skills Taster Day in Aviemore - 9th January - £80
Guided Winter Walk on the Cairngorms Plateau, a chance to practice those skills - 10th January - £80
Winter Skills Taster Day in Braemar - 16th January - £80
Winter Skills Weekend in Braemar - 30th January - £160
Winter Skills Weekend in Braemar - 6th February - £160
Winter Skills and Summits on Lochnagar - 28th February - £80
Winter Skills Weekend in Braemar - 6th February - £160
Winter Skills Weekend in Braemar - 13th March - £160
10% off Winter Skills Weekend courses with discount code WINTER10 valid until end of November!
Private Winter Skills Training & Bespoke Guiding
Prefer to learn at your own pace? We can arrange private winter skills training tailored to your experience, confidence and goals.
What Equipment Do I Need for a Winter Skills Course?
We provide crampons, ice axes and helmets for our Winter Skills courses, so there's no need to purchase these before attending.
You'll need suitable winter walking boots and appropriate clothing for mountain conditions. Our short videos explain what to look for when choosing boots and introduce the equipment you'll learn to use during your course.
View our full Winter Skills kit list →
Frequently Asked Questions
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Personal movement skills on snow (digging stances, kicking and cutting steps).
Use of ice axe whilst walking and how to prevent and stop slips and trips.
Use of crampons.
Winter navigation techniques.
Avalanche awareness, safe route planning.
Emergency procedures.
All skills are coached in context with the conditions on the day. We try to cover as much as possible. The amount of depth that we’ll go into will be dependent on the length of your Winter Skills course.
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No, but we ask for you to have at least attended a winter skills course beforehand. These are aimed as a refresher to existing skills.
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View our comprehensive winter skills kit list.
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Contact our team to discuss private dates and booking options.
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You’ll need a minimum of a B1 winter boot. Watch our video on choosing the right type of boots for winter.
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Winter mountain conditions can change quickly, so our instructors continually assess the weather, snowpack and avalanche forecasts.
If conditions aren't suitable for the original plan, we'll look for an alternative location or adapt the day's activities where it's safe and practical to do so. Our priority is always your safety while making the most of the learning opportunities available.
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Please read our Terms and Conditions.
Why Choose Hillgoers?
Qualified Winter Instructors
Learn from experienced, appropriately qualified winter instructors who know Scotland's mountains and understand the challenges of winter conditions.
Small groups, maximum six participants per instructor
Our small-group courses give you time to practise techniques, ask questions and build confidence, with instruction suited to your experience.
Safety and Professional Standards
From planning routes to assessing weather and avalanche conditions, safety is central to everything we do. Our courses are designed to help you make informed decisions in winter mountain environments.
“Have been out with Hillgoers twice now. Great winter skills training. Really good company to deal with. When there wasn't enough snow to run the full training in January, they offered alternatives. We chose to have another go in March, which turned out great. Very competent and enthusiastic staff.” - Iris Krammer