Scotland Winter Skills Weekend

You’ll be learning real mountain skills in a real mountain environment where the Scottish winter weather is famously wild and changeable. Snow, ice, strong winds, and tough conditions are part of the experience and part of what makes this training so valuable.

It’s a physical challenge, with full mountain days carrying a loaded pack, but it’s achievable for trekkers who are fit, prepared, and ready to embrace winter conditions.

Pre-Course Fitness Prep

To get the most from the course, you should be able to:

• Hike for 6 to 8 hours a day with a 6 to 10kg pack across steep, rough, snowy terrain

• Be comfortable trekking in cold, windy, and snowy conditions

• Train with hill walking, endurance hikes, weighted pack sessions, and ideally some work on uneven, rocky terrain

You don’t need to be an expert climber or mountaineer, but a good base of fitness and mountain sense will help you focus more on learning skills rather than just surviving the conditions.

What to expect during the course

Mountain Challenges

The Cairngorms are no joke in winter, think deep snow, ice-covered trails, freezing temperatures, and rapidly changing weather. You'll be getting properly stuck into winter mountaineering conditions.

You'll cover:

• Personal movement on snow and ice (including crampon and ice axe use)

• Route planning and winter navigation

• Avalanche awareness and emergency procedures

• How to stay safe and make good decisions in a winter mountain environment

The days are full and physical, and you’ll learn by doing, not sitting in a classroom.

Duration

The full course runs over four days, with three full mountain days:

• Thursday evening: Arrival, team meet-up, dinner, and kit check

• Friday and Saturday: Full days on the mountain, learning and developing your winter skills

• Sunday: A final half-day focusing on emergency scenarios, avalanche awareness, and a proper debrief (preferably with cake)

Expect to spend 6 to 8 hours on your feet each day during the full days, with early starts and plenty of time on the snow.

Terrain

The training grounds are the Cairngorms and surrounding Scottish Highlands:

• Steep mountain slopes, snowy ridges, icy patches, and rocky terrain

• Use of crampons, ice axes, harnesses, and winter gear is essential

• No technical climbing involved but some scrambling and steeper sections depending on conditions

The terrain will be chosen each day based on the latest weather and avalanche forecasts, ensuring safety while maximising learning opportunities.

Weather

Expect true Scottish winter conditions:

• Snow, high winds, low visibility, and freezing temperatures are all possible, often in the same day

• Layering, waterproofing, and cold-weather gear are critical

• Some days can be glorious bluebird days... others will be full "Type 2 Fun" in a whiteout

The ability to adapt and stay positive whatever the weather is all part of the adventure.

The EverTrek Scotland Winter Skills Course is the perfect stepping stone if you’re preparing for high altitude and trekking expeditions in winter or cold conditions. It’s not just about ticking off a summit - it’s about learning the skills that could make a massive difference when you’re out on big mountains later on.

You'll leave with new techniques, better mountain sense, greater confidence and an awesome experience under your belt in one of the most beautiful (and wildest) corners of the UK.