For 2026-27 we are running two avalanche awareness courses:
Our courses are designed for proficient winter hill walkers, mountaineers, climbers and ski tourers wishing to increase their knowledge of snow conditions and avalanche risk, to learn which areas to avoid and to improve their understanding of reports and forecasts.
These courses will be delivered by highly experienced Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructors, with a ratio of 1:6 if we go into the mountains for the Introductory Field Course.
You may also be interested in the following:
The course begins indoors, where the core knowledge and concepts are introduced. When weather, snow and mountain conditions are suitable, we aim to continue learning outdoors during the afternoon, allowing participants to apply and reinforce the topics covered in the morning in a practical mountain environment.
However, suitable conditions cannot be guaranteed. If poor weather or a lack of accessible snow would limit the quality of learning, the course may be delivered primarily or entirely indoors. Our priority is to always maximise teaching and learning time by delivering the course in the environment that best supports the course aims and learning outcomes, rather than simply going outdoors.
Please note: Participants must have attended a winter skills course with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider prior to signing up for this course. Under exceptional circumstances we will accept people who have not attended a formal winter skills training course, but who have considerable personal experience. Please contact us if you think this applies to you.
This course will not teach you safe winter footwork, use of ice axe and crampons. Participants must be proficient in these skills prior to attending the course.
For people who regularly climb hills/mountains who wish to take it to the next level. The course is delivered on the mountains sometimes ‘off-track’ and on rough scrambling terrain.
It is VITAL that you come prepared for a full day in the winter mountains to ensure that you get the most out of the course - download the kit list below.
Not sure if you have the right boots? Read more about winter boots here
If you have any questions regarding the suitability of your kit or indeed any other questions about the course please contact us in advance.Need to hire some kit? If you don't have winter boots or crampons, here are a few options for hiring them:
Aviemore:
Tiso Aviemore Outdoor Experience, Aviemore PH22 1RH - email cs_aviemore_oe@tiso.co.uk
Cairngorm Mountain Supplies, Aviemore. Tel 01479 810903 / cairngorm@braemarmountainsports.com
The course aims to start by introducing the core knowledge and concepts. We will then move on to look at the forecasts, how to read them, get the best out of them and to relate this all to the mountain terrain. We plan to finish with some scenarios and planning exercises, to best equip participants to stay safe for their winter plans.
Topics covered:
Introducing topics of snow, avalanches and triggers.
Introduction to terrain recognition and safe travel including which areas to avoid.
Introduction to weather influences, snowpack and instabilities.
Introduction to forecasts and how to use them to make simple decisions.
Identification of visual clues and layers in the snowpack.
If you have any questions regarding the content of our courses, or you're not sure if it's right for you, please contact info@mountaineering.scot
Participants aged 14-17 may be accepted on this course where it is considered appropriate for their prior experience, fitness and course aims. Please contact Mountaineering Scotland before booking so we can discuss suitability, previous experience and what the participant hopes to gain from the course. For courses where accommodation is included, participants aged 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also booked onto the course. If the course is suitable, we will provide instructions from completing the booking.
Cost: £65 for Mountaineering Scotland members
Not a member? Add membership to your basket to join when you make your course booking and have access to all our mountain skills and climbing courses, member discounts, personal accident and liability insurance, magazine and monthly ezine - all from just £28 per year.
Pre-booking is essential. Please read the course information and booking and cancellation conditions - by making a booking you are agreeing to these terms.
To take part in our mountain safety courses, you need to be over 18 and a member of Mountaineering Scotland. Thanks to your membership, we can subsidise the costs of our courses and offer them at affordable prices for all.
Our cancellation policy:
Course Delivery and Cancellation by Mountaineering Scotland:
We endeavour to run all courses as planned. However, for operational reasons, we may from time to time need to amend or cancel a booking. Courses will proceed as scheduled unless an Amber or Red weather warning is in place for the meeting location. Where such a warning applies, the course may be cancelled, postponed or have its start time adjusted due to the increased risk associated with travel to and from the venue.
Winter courses are designed to run in a wide range of mountain conditions. Where snow cover, weather or ground conditions are less than ideal, we will adapt the teaching approach, location and activities to ensure the course remains safe, effective and focused on achieving the intended learning outcomes.
In the event of a cancellation by Mountaineering Scotland, participants will be offered either a full refund of the course fee or the option to transfer to another course of the same cost, subject to availability.
If you have any questions please get in touch.
"Our course instructor, Di, was really knowledgeable and gave us lots of useful information, which it was great to put into practice on the hill too".
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ClimbScotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
