The mountains in Winter have a completely different character. Some love the beauty of the monochrome appearance of the landscape, the feeling that you're at higher altitude and surprise at the Arctic-Alpine landscapes that we have in the UK during winter.
Walking and sliding around on ice and snow provides novelty and fun for some, while it intimidates others. With the ice and snow, the mountains are coated in a range of additional hazards. Winter Skills Courses are where you will learn to manage the risks and keep you safe and confident to explore throughout the changeable winter conditions.
Learn Winter Skills Options…
NATS winter skills courses are normally based in Aviemore, Fort William or Glencoe. If you want a course in another area, simply get in contact to discuss your needs.
…Join an open course
Open courses are a great way to learn winter skills as part of a group. Courses will follow a program that suits the needs and experience of the whole group. See below for further details.
…Book a private course
Private courses can be tailored to your specific needs and experience. If you're unsure which course is right for you, simply get in contact to discuss.
Private Course Prices
| Number of people | Private Winter Skills Course (per day) | Private *24 hour Winter Skills programme |
| 1 | £250 | £270 |
| 2 | £270 | £310 |
| 3 | £290 | £330 |
| 4 | £310 | £350 |
| 5 | £330 | £370 |
| 6 | £350 | £390 |
*24 hour programmes include an evening session to cover some topics in the comfort of a classroom/cafe. We also get kit hire and kit checks sorted the evening before, this maximises the practical learning time out on the mountain.
Remember the NATS Sustainable Travel Incentive
All NATS events qualify for the NATS Sustainable Travel Incentive cash back. Find full details here
Open Courses
You can find these, along with our other activities on the NATS Eventbrite page.
For Winter Skills Courses only, visit here: Eventbrite Winter Skills Courses Collection.
Note that Open Courses require a minimum of 2 people booking for the course to go ahead.
Booking direct, you will get the best price, simply get in contact to book.
Open Course Prices
| Open winter skills courses Price Per Person (3 to 6 people per course) | |
| £90 | 1 day |
| £110 | *24 hour programme |
| £180 | 2 days |
| £270 | 3 days |
*24 hour programmes include an evening session to cover some topics in the comfort of a classroom/cafe. We also get kit hire and kit checks sorted the evening before, this maximises the practical learning time out on the mountain.
Dates of Open Courses
Our public courses normally start on a Saturday with a 1 day course, start dates listed below. The 2 day course covers additional topics and practice on the following Sunday. The 3 day course, adds on Monday to cover additional topics, and reinforces skills and navigation through practice while completing a mountain journey.
Scheduled Course Start dates
Saturday 24th February 2023 - Fort William / Glencoe
Saturday 2nd March 2023 - Fort William / Glencoe
Saturday 9th March 2023 - Fort William / Glencoe
Saturday 16th March 2023 - Aviemore
Friday 27th December 2024 - Aviemore
If a course date above does not suit you, requests for courses on different dates are welcomed and you can join our list of people that want to be notified when a new course date is added, please get in contact to make your request.
Course Programmes
Please get in contact if you would like a copy of the full itineraries.
1day/24hour course
The 1 day or 24 hour course will cover the practical skills below.
| Topic Area | Learning |
| 1 Movement on ice and snow | Crampon and Ice axe techniques, including Ice axe arrest |
| 2 Avalanche | Reading Avalanche Hazard Reports and planning accordingly |
| 3 Navigation | Key differences in winter |
| 4 Emergency procedures | Emergency equipment and procedures |
| 5 Adapting to conditions | Dynamic risk assessment in the winter environment |
| 6 Efficient journeying | Route choice – before and during your activity |
| 7 General Winter Kit | Winter Kit and Clothing |
2 day course
On day 2 we will do more journeying with practice of skills from day 1. We will also cover these additional topics.
| Topic Area | Learning |
| 3 Navigation | Low visibilty and whiteout navigation |
| 6 Efficient journeying | Mixed ability group management |
3 day course
On day 3 we will aim to complete a journey up one or two Munros practicing skills along the way. We will also cover these additional topics.
| Topic | Learning |
| 2 Avalanche | Snow pack observations |
| 3 Navigation | Winter night navigation |
| 4 Emergency procedures | Emergency shelter building (using shovel or axe) |
| 5 Adapting to conditions | Heuristic traps |
What are you waiting for?
Get booked up, kitted up and enjoy getting out on the white stuff!
Not About The Summit 