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Winter Skills Training Courses

Mountaineering Scotland offers members the opportunity of either a weekend course or a series of one day courses. All our winter skills courses are currently based at Mill Cottage, Feshiebridge or from the Tiso Store in Aviemore, and are aimed at Mountaineering Scotland members who enjoy the Scottish hills in winter and wish to improve their competency and skill levels.

Fitness grade

Fitness grade depends on course chosen: single day or weekend.

One day course: Grade 2. For people who regularly climb hills/mountains. These courses are delivered on the mountain, sometimes ‘off-track’ on rough terrain. Max distance 12km, max ascent 600m

Weekend course: Grade 3. For people who regularly climb hills/mountains who wish to take it to the next level.  The courses are delivered on the mountains sometimes ‘off-track’ and on rough scrambling terrain. Max distance 12km, max ascent 1000m per day.

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What you'll learn

Our winter skills courses cover the essential skills of walking with an axe and crampons, ice axe self- arrest, navigation, winter safety, avalanche avoidance and much more. It will not involve any use of a rope. The staffing ratio is 1:6. All our courses are staffed with highly experienced mountain instructors who hold either their Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor award or Winter Mountain Leader award.

If you have any questions regarding the content of our winter skills courses, please contact Heather on 0778 886 1431.

Course dates and locations

PLEASE NOTE: BOOKINGS FOR THIS EVENT CAN ONLY BE TAKEN FROM Members WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID 19.  

The following vaccinations are acceptable: Pfizer-BionTech (2 doses), Moderna (2 doses), Oxford/AstraZeneca (2 doses) & Johnson + Johnson Janssen (single dose)


Winter Skills two-day weekend courses are based from our hut, Mill Cottage in Glen Feshie and include 2 nights self catering accommodation at the hut.


One-day winter skills courses based in the Northern Cairngorms meeting at the Tiso Store in Aviemore.

Accommodation is NOT included in the course fee.

You may wish to combine your one-day winter skills course with our winter navigation courses which run every Wednesday following the winter skills days.

Cost

To book onto one of our mountain safety courses, you need to be a member of Mountaineering Scotland. Thanks to your membership fees, we can subsidise the costs of our courses and offer them at these very affordable rates. 

Not a member? Join us from just £24.50 for your first year when you pay by direct debit - click here to join.

Weekend courses - £120

  • The cost of the course includes: Two days instruction.  
  • Participants need to supply all their own kit for the course - a kit list will be provided.

One-day courses - £45

The cost of the one day winter skills courses includes instruction only.  Participants need to supply all their own kit for the course - a kit list will be provided.

How to book a place on a course

Please take a look at our useful course information for booking and cancellation conditions before you make a booking.


To book onto one of our mountain safety courses, you need to be a member of Mountaineering Scotland. Thanks to your membership, we can subsidise the costs of our courses and offer you course prices at lower rates than most commercial providers.

  • Mountaineering Scotland members can book and pay easily and quickly online in our members’ web portal. 
  • If you are not a Mountaineering Scotland member, you can join quickly and easily online in our members web portal.

If you have any questions please get in touch.

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Previous participants said:

  • Fantastic instructors, well organised course, brilliant accommodation, great helpful staff
  • I've done three courses with MCofS and have really enjoyed each one. They are excellent value and I'm always telling people about them!
  • Heather has a brilliant technique for training. Getting the info across in a fun but professional way. Lots of top tips. I have been on a course previously with Heather as the instructor, and on both occasions thoroughly enjoyed my time & learned a lot.
  • Excellent value course and good content covered given that we only had 1 day
  • The course was fantastic. Demonstration of an evolving avalanche risk by "getting up close" was something I shall never forget.
  • This was an exceptionally good day especially for the money that it cost - it was a great foundation to build on and it means that we can venture out onto the hill in a safer manner which is in the long run a priceless - makes me very happy to be a member of and support the MCofS if that's the sort of thing that is offered. Brilliant.
  • The instructors were great, the accommodation was amazing and it was unbelievably cheap especially considering how great it was.
  • I learned a huge amount and consolidated some of the things I've learned already.  It was also a reminder to be prepared for everything!