Intro Winter & Ice Climbing

Intro to Winter Climbing Course Itinerary:

We offer both three and five day introductory Winter Climbing courses in Scotland. Below is a sample itinerary for our five-day programme, designed to build your confidence in Ice Climbing and Winter Climbing in Scotland’s varied terrains. This outline is fully flexible—we can customise it around your personal goals and experience level. Our three-day course equips you with the core skills to refine independently, while the five-day version allows more time to deeply engage with essential techniques for safe, rewarding ascents.

Day One:

We start with a thorough review of your existing winter mountain skills. It’s essential that your basic movement, crampon technique, and snowpack understanding are solid before tackling steeper ground. Once we’re confident in these foundations, we’ll head to a Grade I route to introduce key elements of Winter Climbing, including:

• Tying in
• Ropework
• Anchors
• Belays

Day Two:

Building on day one, we’ll advance to a Grade II mixed route, blending rock, snow, and ice—typical of Winter Climbing in Scotland’s dynamic environments. Here, we’ll refine your ropework and anchor-building skills, while exploring decision-making processes and stance management (such as preventing rope tangles, optimal belay positioning for efficiency, and smooth kit handovers).

Day Three:

Today, we may challenge you with a route beyond your usual comfort zone, potentially venturing into Grade III or IV terrain. The focus will be on honing climbing technique and lead protection strategies, all while practising and consolidating the Ice Climbing and Winter Climbing skills introduced earlier.

Day Four:

Returning to Grade I-II terrain, we’ll consolidate everything you’ve learnt so far in a supportive setting. This day emphasises your growing independence and confidence in Winter Climbing Scotland. You’ll take the lead on decisions, anchor selection, and belay construction, with your experienced instructor climbing alongside to offer guidance as needed.

Day Five:

As the course concludes, we’ll adapt activities based on your progress, ensuring you leave as a capable, independent climber. Our priority is empowering you with the knowledge for safe Winter Climbing and Ice Climbing adventures. We can dedicate time to practising specific areas on a Grade I-II route, gaining more leading experience, or—if preferred—guiding you up a more demanding ascent to elevate your personal skills.

FAQ: Winter Climbing in Scotland

What is winter climbing?

Winter climbing refers to ascending graded mountain routes in snowy, icy conditions, typically rated from Grade I (easier gullies and ridges) to Grade XII (extreme test-pieces). It’s an exhilarating way to experience the mountains when they’re transformed by frost, snow and ice, requiring technical skills like using crampons and ice axes on steep terrain.

Across the UK, you’ll find thousands of winter climbing routes in areas like Snowdonia, the Lake District and – best of all – Scotland. While Snowdonia and the Lakes can deliver magical days, their lower altitudes and milder weather mean reliable conditions are rarer and shorter-lived. For the most consistent and world-class winter climbing in the UK, Scotland is unbeatable.

The Torridon area remains uniquely quiet though – you won’t experience the queuing for routes that’s increasingly common around Ben Nevis, Glencoe or the Cairngorms. We’re incredibly lucky to have peaceful crags, breathtaking scenery and an unbelievable variety of routes right on our doorstep – perfect for learning and progressing safely in proper wilderness conditions.

What are the different types of winter climbing?

Winter climbing is the term for roped ascents on mountains in full winter condition – a disciplined and profoundly rewarding pursuit that transforms familiar peaks into challenging, ice-armoured landscapes.

There are three different types of winter climbing (listed below). In Scotland’s North West Highlands, and particularly around Torridon, we enjoy an exceptional range of terrain that allows us to explore all three classic disciplines in their purest form:

• Ice Climbing The art of ascending frozen waterfalls, seepage lines or refrozen névé. These routes often demand sustained vertical or near-vertical effort, yet are brilliantly rewarding with your axes biting into bullet-hard ice.
• Gully Climbing Classic Scottish adventures that follow natural corridors of snow and ice. From spacious alpine-style gullies to narrow, atmospheric chimneys, the variety is immense – deep powder, firm névé or occasional rocky steps all combine to hone judgment, movement and ropework in equal measure.
• Mixed Climbing The ultimate test of versatility! Rock buttresses rimed with snow and verglas, where turf hooks and torquing cracks are just some of the techniques needed. These routes demand creativity and composure, yet offer some of the most aesthetic and satisfying climbing Scotland has to offer.

Is ice climbing the same as winter climbing?

No – ice climbing is one of the three core disciplines within winter climbing, alongside gully climbing and mixed climbing.

Many discerning clients initially enquire about “ice climbing” or “learning to ice climb”, when in fact they seek the complete repertoire of Scottish winter climbing. The term is often used interchangeably.

On our Climb Torridon courses, the day’s objective – pure ice, classic gullies or intricate mixed routes – is chosen according to current snowpack and the finest conditions available, ensuring a rewarding and unhurried progression in a tranquil setting.

When is the best time of year to go winter climbing in Scotland?

The prime window for winter climbing in Scotland is mid-January to mid-March, when conditions are most reliable and rewarding.

Scottish winters remain delightfully unpredictable – some years bring settled spells and consolidated snowpack in February, others create bold mixed lines in January or longer days on classic ice routes in March.

The snowpack typically builds and stabilises through the winter, with the early season (December–January) often better suited to mixed climbing, while February brings the most dependable snow and ice routes. March can be more unpredictable: it may retain solid ice routes or, in leaner years, revert to mixed climbing. By April, snow and ice have often largely melted, though exceptional seasons still deliver outstanding winter days.

Increasing daylight from January onwards allows more time for longer lines, without as much pressure from the earlier dusk. We offer private courses from December through April for flexibility, though outside January–March, cover can be leaner. Our scheduled Climb Torridon courses sit firmly in the optimal period for high-quality days.

What happens in a lean winter year with little or no snow or ice?

It is no secret that winters are warming, yet Torridon continues to deliver excellent winter climbing seasons more often than not. In the rare exceptionally lean year, our expert instructors truly excel.

They possess intimate knowledge of the mountains and know precisely where snow and ice linger in shaded corries and high gullies – places that appear bare from the road but often hold surprising quantities of climbable material. Clients are frequently astonished by the quality of the day.

Should conditions prove genuinely sparse (most likely mid-December to early January or mid-March onwards), we adapt seamlessly. Skills courses continue with valuable theory sessions – avalanche awareness, weather interpretation – alongside full ropework and protection practice on rock. For guiding clients, Torridon’s magnificent summer or “dry” winter lines remain world-class, ensuring an unforgettable mountain experience whatever the season.

Rest assured, a booking with Climb Torridon is never wasted – our flexibility and deep local expertise guarantee a rewarding and memorable week in the hills.

What kit do I need for winter climbing in Scotland?

Winter climbing in Scotland demands careful preparation to stay safe, warm, and efficient in the harsh, unpredictable conditions of the North West Highlands. Here is a breakdown of the kit needed:

Footwear

The foundation starts with rigid-soled B2 or B3 winter mountaineering boots—essential for secure crampon attachment and stability on steep ice and snow. Pair these with thick mountaineering socks (a wool-nylon blend works well) and consider a thin liner sock to prevent blisters during long days. Gaiters keep snow out of your boots unless they’re built-in.

Body

Your outer layers must prioritise waterproofing and breathability: a taped-seam waterproof jacket with a sturdy hood and matching waterproof trousers or salopettes are essential, worn from the moment you leave the car in typical Scottish winter weather. Beneath, build a versatile system—a wicking thermal base layer (top and leggings), a thin fleece or merino mid-layer, and a thicker fleece or soft-shell for added warmth on the move. A synthetic insulated jacket serves as your belay or emergency layer.

Hands

Hand protection is critical in Torridon’s biting winds and spindrift. Pack two pairs of high-quality mountaineering gloves—one will inevitably get wet, so swap to a dry pair to avoid frozen fingers—and consider thin walk-in gloves to preserve your main pair during the approach. Emergency mitts offer a vital warmth boost in extreme cold.

Head & Face

For your head, a close-fitting hat (no bobble, to fit under a helmet) and a neck gaiter or buff shield against wind chill and blown snow. On brighter days, sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, and lip balm protect against intense reflection off the snowpack, while a head torch (plus a spare) is essential for short daylight hours and unexpected delays.

Equipment

Beyond clothing, carry a 40-litre rucksack with a waterproof liner to hold everything, including 1 litre of water or hot drink in a tough bottle (hot squash in a Nalgene-style container resists freezing), and plenty of high-energy food kept accessible in pockets for on-route snacking. Walking poles with snow baskets add stability on deep-snow walk-ins, and a compass with a large baseplate, photocopied map in a flexible case, and a stylus for phone navigation ensure you can operate with gloves on. Don’t forget personal medication, hand gel, and a facemask for shared transport.

The good news? On booking your winter climbing Scotland course with us, we provide a comprehensive kit list tailored to current conditions, plus all technical gear: C2 crampons with anti-balling plates, a pair of technical ice axes (adze and hammer, or a single mountaineering axe for easier grades), helmet, harness, full winter climbing rack, and ropes. You’re welcome to bring your own if preferred—it’s a great chance to build familiarity—but our provision means you can travel light and focus on mastering ice climbing and winter climbing techniques in Torridon’s stunning, uncrowded mountains.

How fit do I need to be for winter climbing?

If you’re new to winter climbing and wondering whether you’re fit enough to tackle Scottish Grade I–IV routes, here’s what a typical day in Torridon demands.

Expect to be moving for 7–9 hours, including walk-in and climbing time. Daylight is short, and in the harsh winter environment we stop only for short snack breaks. Winter snow slows progress—a 3-hour summer approach may take 5–6 hours. But you are rewarded with a quieter, more dramatic mountain experience.

Good stamina is essential. Familiarity with full summer mountain days of 8+ hours, together with some climbing experience, is ideal. Indoor climbers with strong endurance also adapt well to winter climbing.

Beyond fitness, you must arrive able to tie in and belay. Any prior roped experience—summer trad, sport, or indoor leading—ensures these skills are well practised. If you can comfortably spend a long day in the hills and have some climbing experience, you’re ready to learn the specific winter skills on our courses.

Pricing & Dates – Winter Climbing Courses Scotland 2026

Winter Climbing Course Price

Open courses are the ideal choice if you’re booking individually or as a pair and would like to join a small group of similarly keen winter climbers on a set date. They offer an enjoyable, sociable environment while delivering the highest standard of instruction.

We limit open courses to a maximum of four clients looked after by two fully qualified Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors (WMCI), maintaining a safe and effective 1:2 ratio throughout – ensuring ample personal attention and rapid progression.

We offer 3-day and 5-day courses, each available with or without accommodation. The accommodation package includes dinner, bed and breakfast at our comfortable partner venue, The Old Inn in Gairloch, starting the evening before the course begins and concluding with breakfast on the final morning. Rooms are normally twin/shared; single occupancy is available on request.

• 3-day winter climbing course (no accommodation) – £540 per person
• 3-day winter climbing course (with 3 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast) – from £795 per person
• 5-day winter climbing course (no accommodation) – £900 per person
• 5-day winter climbing course (with 5 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast) – from £1,230 per person

In the table below you can view prices for each available date, alongside the various course length and accommodation package.</P

• Open Courses
• Private Courses

Private & Guided Winter Climbing Courses

Private winter climbing courses are designed entirely around you – choose any dates in the season, book solo or with your own partner/group, and enjoy coaching that’s precisely matched to your current level and ambitions.

You’ll have the dedicated attention of one or two fully qualified Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors (WMCI) at our standard 1:2 ratio – the same intensive, safe guidance we use on every winter climbing course.

Dinner, bed & breakfast at our comfortable partner venue can easily be added to your private booking:
£85 per person per night (twin/double room, shared occupancy)
£120 per night (single occupancy)

See the Private Courses tab above for full pricing and availability.

Additional Nights of Accommodation

Extra nights before or after any open or private winter climbing course are available (subject to availability) at the same rates:
£85 per person per night (twin/double, shared)
£120 per night (single occupancy)