1-day Winter hillwalking taster in the Cairngorms, Aviemore (Scotland)

The Scottish highlands have long been romantacised and rightly so: this stunning mountain region instills passion into the visitor. Here’s your chance to explore this beautiful landscape whilst learning some fun and practical skills to thrive in winter!

The Scottish highlands are my home and although I’ve travelled to many parts of the world, the Caringorms and these mountains reserve a special place in my heart.

Whether you visit in summer or winter, this region will imprint on your memory. Here though I am offering the chance to explore this terrain in winter and there’s nothing more rewarding than a cold hike in the hills!

In this pristine and snowy landscape you will spend one day learning fundamental winter skills. By the end of the day, you will be able to operate with confidence out in the cold.

During the course I will aim to cover the following:

• How to plan your trips – interpreting weather and avalanche forcasts

• Avalanche Awareness and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service

• Winterproof gear- Prepare clothing and equipment for cold, wind and snow

• How to move on the snow – good footwork

• How to use an ice-axe proficiently and halt a slip as it starts

• Use of crampons

• What to do in an emergency

Our day will begin by meeting at Costa Coffee in Aviemore at 8:15am. We will discus the itinerary, consult the weather forecasts and of course have a coffee!

The walk starts from the Cairgorm ski car-park and aim to finish walking by 16:00.

This trip does not require a high level of technical skill but you should be confident of hillwalking for roughly 6 hours at a steady pace.

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the Scottish highlands and the Cairngorms then I highly recommend the winter for its beauty. Sign up now and you can combine this natural beauty with learning some great outdoor skills!

If you have a bit more time then extend this amazing day into two and join me on this fun 2-day hillwalking and winter skills trip in the Cairngorms! Or perhaps you’re more intruiged by the walk, then consider joining me on this wonderful 2-day summer hike in the Cairgorms, reaching 850m you will enjoy unrivalled views of the epic landscape!