Contact Us
West Coast Mountain Guides
Calluna
Heathercroft
Fort William
PH33 6RE
T: +44 (0)1397 700451
F: +44 (0)1397 700489
E: info@westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk
Winter Courses Scotland


Winter mountaineering and ice climbing activities are invariably effected by the weather and snow and ice conditions. In reality this is the nature of winter mountaineering and ice climbing in Scotland. Attending a course will not make any difference! However the instructors local knowledge should ensure that the most is made of every day out on the hill. Course members will get a useful insight to what is possible, even during poor weather should it occur.
Individuals or groups are welcome. No minimum numbers.
In general terms all course members will spend as much time as possible on high snow and ice covered mountains above 3,000 ft (915m) looking at the necessary skills for winter mountaineering and ice climbing. During the evenings a library of relevant mountain video subjects are available to reinforce the practical side of the programmes. The courses all meet for kit checks and introductions on the Sunday morning (5 days) or Saturday morning weekends.
Tower Ridge - Ben Nevis - Scotland from Alan Kimber on Vimeo.
Each day starts at 8.00am and usually finishes by 5.00-6.00pm. A weather and avalanche briefing each morning is backed up on the hill by digging snow pits and studying snow crystals and previous weather/wind patterns.
All winter courses require considerable physical effort and are potentially risky. Anyone interested in fitness training before attending a course should try swimming, cycling or just hill-walking. Try and arrive reasonably fit and you will enjoy yourself even more!
Some courses will use the Nevis Range Gondola up lift and £12.00 return is a cost to be budgeted for. Also one visit to the Ice Factor for the climbers is possible and this will involve an extra £25 over the course fee.
Client Feedback
Dear Alan and Nick,
Thank you very much for such a great course. The instruction (and the drying room) was excellent and I learnt many new skills. This course has opened up the door to ma...
Tom Pavelle
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