W I n t e r
Why Winter?
Winter is an incredible season to step outside and embrace the magic of the mountains! Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or starting out, there’s something undeniably exciting and exhilarating about crisp snow underfoot in the mountains.
Winter mountaineering and walking aren’t just for experts—they’re for everyone. All you need is a sense of adventure and the right skills to stay safe - that’s where I come in.
You’re in safe hands with me—Harriet! I’m a qualified Winter Mountain Leader with years of experience leading and teaching people in the mountains. Fully insured, DBS/PVG checked, and passionate about making the outdoors accessible for everyone.
Why Winter Adventures Are for You:
No experience? No problem! These courses and guided walks are designed to meet you where you are—complete beginner or budding pro.
Learn while you go. Get hands-on with essential winter skills, like using crampons, ice axes, and navigation in snow.
Whether you’re a budding pro or have dabbled in winter adventures before, we’ve got you covered. Drop me an email to chat about bespoke courses tailored to your skills and goals—I’ll design the perfect experience just for you.
Inclusive and empowering. We’re passionate about creating a welcoming space for everyone, including women, underrepresented groups, and LGBTQIA+ adventurers. We’re here to address your specific needs, build your skills, and give you the confidence to embrace winter mountaineering on your terms. We'll work together to empower you with knowledge and experience to carry into all your future adventure.
We’ll also cover practicalities like layering for warmth, managing periods, and making bathroom breaks straightforward—because these are all part of feeling prepared and confident in the mountains!
Come as you are, leave feeling unstoppable.
What course?
I get it—winter adventures come with unique challenges, and I’m here to make it all feel normal and manageable. Whether it’s layering up to stay warm, managing periods, or figuring out the best way to handle bathroom breaks in the snow, we’ll share practical tips to keep you comfortable and confident on your journey.
Based mainly in Scotland, some courses in the Lake District (conditions dependant)
Winter Navigation & Advanced winter navigation
Develop your summer navigation skills for winter conditions or expand on your winter navigation knowledge. Learn to rely on contour features, manage distances, and master timing techniques for confident winter navigation.
Winter Skills (2 Days)
A comprehensive introduction to winter walking. Cover movement techniques, using an ice axe and crampons, navigation, avalanche awareness, emergency procedures, planning a mountain day, and understanding the winter environment.
Guided Winter Walking Weekends
Perfect for those looking to enjoy the beauty of winter without the pressure of planning, while picking up tips and skills along the way. Relax, explore, and make unforgettable memories in the snow.
Winter Walking and Skills (3 Days)
Master the essentials of winter walking and take your skills further by planning and completing a journey in the mountains. Learn movement techniques, using an ice axe and crampons, advanced navigation, emergency procedures, avalanche awareness, and how to adapt to the challenges of a multi-day winter adventure. Perfect for building confidence and understanding the winter environment.
Winter walking skills (5 days) coming in 2026
Immerse yourself in a full winter experience over five days. Build your confidence and skills with in-depth training on movement techniques, ice axe and crampon use, advanced navigation, avalanche awareness, emergency procedures, and planning mountain journeys. This course gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in real-world scenarios and truly embrace the winter environment. Perfect for those looking to take their winter adventures to the next level.
Bespoke Courses
Tailored to you - whether it’s navigation, winter skills, preparing for your Winter Mountain Leader qualification, guided walks, or tackling Munros—get in touch, and we can chat about your needs. See below for prices.
BOOK HERE
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200 British pounds
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190 British pounds
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90 British pounds
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90 British pounds
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290 British pounds
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40 British poundsLoading days...
80 British pounds
Booking & Prices
Bespoke Courses
Tailored to you - whether it’s navigation, winter skills, preparing for your Winter Mountain Leader qualification, guided walks, or tackling Munros—get in touch, and we can chat about your needs.
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Private Instruction
Prices are per person per day:
1 person - £315
2 people - £175
3 people - £117
4 people - £87.50
Up to 6 people
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Larger groups or bespoke bookings, click here to get in touch.​
More information
Location, Transport, accommodation
Cairngorms
Location
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We start our day in a cafe in Aviemore where we will lift share to our start location.
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Transport
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Drive: The main road travelling north, the A9, connects central Scotland with the Cairngorms National Park, which means you can arrive from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee in the south and Inverness in the north. For electric car users please check where you can charge here.
Train: Trains between London’s Kings Cross and Inverness stop off at Aviemore. There are 10 services each way daily and a Sleeper Service from London Euston.
Bus: Express coaches from London Victoria, and all over the country make the journey up through Scotland to the Cairngorms National Park.
Travel with Citylink and Megabus or Megabus Gold for overnight sleeper service
Lift sharing: I strongly encourage lift-sharing whenever possible. If you would like to be connected with others on your course for this purpose, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Accommodation
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MacDonalds (sometimes this can be cheaper than the above!)
Cairngorms Christian Centre (15 mins from Aviemore - bunkhouse style and comfortable beds)
Glencoe
Location
We start our day in the cafe in Glencoe Mountain resort, where we will lift share to our start location or use the lift (weather dependent).
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Transport
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Drive: The main road A82 runs from Glasgow to Inverness through Glencoe and Fort William is a stunning drive to and through Glencoe. For electric car users please check where you can charge here.
Train: The Caledonian Sleeper Service runs on a daily basis from London Euston to Fort William. Using the Highland Route, a trip to the Highlands for the weekend from London is totally possible. Arrive at both ends fully rested on the sleeper.
Bus: There is a bus service (no 44) between Kinlochleven and Fort William, stopping in Glencoe, Ballachulish and other villages en-route. There are some routes to Glencoe with Citylink and Megabus
Lift sharing: I strongly encourage lift-sharing whenever possible. If you would like to be connected with others on your course for this purpose, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Accommodation
Glencoe and surrounding area:
Glencoe Ski resort microlodges
Red squirrel for vans (LGBTQIA+ friendly)
Fern Villa in Ballachulish (5 mins from Glencoe village)
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Kit list
Winter is known for its fickle and changeable character. The weather can shift in the blink of an eye, changing from a serene winter wonderland into a challenging and hostile environment. Therefore, we need kit up for the job. If you already head out in summer you might find that you can use a lot of the kit you already have and can hire the winter equipment needed.
Here's a list of kit you'll need:
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Thermal base layers – synthetic or woollen (no cotton)
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Fleece
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Comfortable sports bra & underwear
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A second fleece
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A synthetic jacket (not down)
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Walking trousers or leggings (I use Rab power stretch pro)
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Full waterproofs, ideally 3 layer Goretex or similar
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Gaiters
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Warm hat
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2 sets of warm waterproof gloves
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A decent lunch - ​including lots of easy to eat snacks
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A hot flask/insulated water bottle
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Whistle
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Head torch and spare batteries
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Googles (ski)
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Suncream/sunglasses
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Min. 30 L rucksack.
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Personal medication
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Winter boots (B2 or B3), a walking axe, crampons and a helmet.
These can be hired from Scottish Mountain Hire (Fort William) or Ellis Brigham (Aviemore or Fort William).