One axe climbing of short pitches on the Northern Pinnacles of Liathach
Challenging conditions while winter mountaineering on Liathach
The Blach Carls of Beinn Eighe - a fantastic winter mountaineering route
Winter mountaineering is the natural bridge between winter walking and winter climbing.
It unlocks steep snow slopes, rocky ridges, and secret gullies that remain out of reach to ordinary winter walkers.
Our Introduction to Winter Mountaineering course turns capable winter walkers into confident mountaineers.
In 2 or 5 intensive days among the giants you will learn and practice skills such as:
All this takes place throughout Torridon, one of the most dramatic, peaceful and wild areas for winter mountaineering in Scotland.
Famous for the Torridon giants—Beinn Eighe, Liathach, and Beinn Alligin—a winter mountaineer’s paradise.
A maximum of 4 clients per WMCI ensures personal high-quality learning with your dedicated instructor.
By the final ridge you’ll stand in awe, crampons firm on névé, dreaming of a Scotland that now holds countless winter mountaineering adventures.
Our Introduction to Winter Mountaineering course in Scotland is perfect for accomplished winter walkers who are ready to step beyond hillwalking and into the exhilarating world of technical winter terrain. If you’re already confident moving on snow with crampons and an ice axe, this course will give you the exact skills you need to tackle steeper slopes, exposed ridges, and those seductive hidden gullies that make winter mountaineering in Scotland so addictive.
Winter hillwalkers craving structured progression, or those with summer scrambling experience under their belt, will find this programme particularly rewarding. Over two or five immersive days we build genuine confidence through essential techniques: precise crampon placement on bullet-hard névé and softer snow alike, dynamic ice-axe arrests on steeper ground, and straightforward ropework to protect exposed sections.
We also emphasise route selection and environmental awareness—reading terrain, assessing snow conditions, and making sound decisions to stay safe and efficient. By the end, you’ll leave as a capable, self-reliant winter mountaineer, ready to explore Scotland’s finest ridges and corries for many seasons to come. A perfect companion for dreaming up your own adventures is the superb book Scotland’s Winter Mountains with One Axe by Garry Smith – packed with inspirational mountaineering routes you’ll soon be equipped to enjoy.
We offer our Introduction to Winter Mountaineering course in Scotland in both 2-day and 5-day formats so you can choose the pace and depth that fits your life and ambitions perfectly.
The 5-day course is our flagship experience – a complete, unhurried journey that turns competent winter walkers into confident, independent mountaineers. We start by polishing your existing skills, then layer on every essential technique with plenty of time to practise on real Torridon terrain. By day five you will have had the opportunity to plan and lead your own Grade I/II routes under the careful guidance of your instructor.
The 2-day course delivers the same syllabus in a concentrated weekend. Perfect for busy professionals or anyone who wants the core skills fast, it leaves you with the knowledge to keep practising and progressing under your own steam or return later for the full 5-day immersion. Many of our clients use this 2-day version as a springboard before booking the longer course the following season.
Whichever length you choose, you’ll enjoy our 1:4 maximum ratio, peaceful venues away from the crowds, and the same expert instruction that has earned us consistent 5-star reviews. Both options run from January to March in the Torridon mountains – simply pick the dates that work for you.
Find out more on our itinerary page
Nestled in the wild North West Highlands, our Introduction to Winter Mountaineering course in Scotland takes place in the breathtaking Torridon mountains – widely regarded as the finest playground for winter mountaineering in Scotland.
Here, dramatic peaks rise straight from the sea loch, creating a compact yet astonishingly varied landscape: sweeping snow ridges, snow and ice-filled corries, and elegant Grade I/II classics that feel a world away from the crowds of Glencoe or The Cairngorms. Beinn Eighe, Liathach and Beinn Alligin tower above, their perfect winter terrain providing the opportunity to practise every new skill in the most inspiring setting imaginable.
Unlike busier areas, Torridon in winter is beautifully quiet. You’ll often have entire mountain faces to yourselves, allowing deep focus and genuine peace.
This is winter mountaineering in Scotland at its purest – raw, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.
Throughout the 2026 winter season (January–March), clients joining our winter mountaineering courses benefit from an exclusive arrangement with The Old Inn in Gairloch. This optional dinner, bed-and-breakfast package delivers an outstandingly comfortable and convenient headquarters for your week in the North-West Highlands.
You are, of course, welcome to source your own accommodation if preferred.
Winter at The Old Inn
This distinguished, long-established inn serves as the ideal restorative haven after full days navigating Scotland’s most celebrated winter ridges.
Guests enjoy hearty, locally sourced meals, well-appointed en-suite bedrooms, and the discreet, attentive Highland hospitality that discerning mountaineers have come to value.
Accommodation is reserved directly with your course; early enquiry is strongly recommended to secure availability.
Learn more about the full accommodation, breakfast and dinner package
See all our Intro to Winter Mountaineering course dates and prices
Staying elsewhere?
Gairloch is our recommendation for independent arrangements – the only village in the area with comprehensive winter services, including shops, fuel, electric-vehicle charging, and high-quality evening dining. Facilities in Torridon, Kinlochewe, or Poolewe remain limited during the quieter months.
Our Intro to Winter Mountaineering programme is available as both open (group) courses and private bookings, giving you complete flexibility.
Open (Group) Courses
Join one of our scheduled dates and share the week with a small, compatible group of like-minded winter enthusiasts.
Maximum ratio 1:4 – perfect if you enjoy the camaraderie of fellow mountaineers, the shared triumph of a classic ridge, and the convenience of fixed dates.
Many of our clients return year after year having forged lasting hill-walking friendships on these weeks.
Private & Bespoke Courses
Book the instructor to yourself, your partner or your own private group.
You choose the dates (subject to instructor availability), the objectives and the pace.
Ideal for couples, families, photography trips or simply those who prefer the hills in splendid isolation.
Ready for Scotland’s finest winter mountaineering?
See our dates and pricing
Our winter mountaineering itinerary is fully flexible — shaped each day by your experience, ambitions, and Scotland’s ever-changing conditions. From mastering movement on snow to leading your own ridge lines, every step is designed to build skill, judgement, and quiet self-reliance.
View the sample 2 or 5 day outline below to see how we guide accomplished hillwalkers into confident winter mountaineers, safely and progressively.
See our winter mountaineering course itinerary
At Climb Torridon, our winter mountaineering courses in Scotland are thoughtfully designed to nurture your skills with care and precision, whether you’re joining us for a focused two-day adventure or our immersive five-day experience. Drawing on the wild, majestic landscapes of Torridon, we prioritise your comfort and growth every step of the way—because discovering the thrill of winter mountaineering in Scotland should feel both exhilarating and reassuring.
Our five-day winter mountaineering course is the ideal choice for those seeking a comprehensive journey, allowing ample time to refresh fundamentals and master advanced techniques at a pace that suits you. By week’s end, you’ll step away with the quiet confidence to navigate Scotland’s more technical winter hills safely and independently, equipped with the judgement to read snow, rock, and weather like a seasoned mountaineer.
For those who are short on time or have a preference for a gentler introduction, our two-day winter mountaineering course delivers the essentials with the same passion and expertise. We’ll cover the core elements of our full itinerary, though with focused intensity—leaving you inspired to practise solo or return for deeper exploration. The ideal gateway for accomplished hillwalkers who expect nothing less than exceptional guidance and genuine progression.
The sample itinerary below outlines our five-day programme, which is beautifully flexible to align with your aspirations and the day’s conditions. Our two-day option draws directly from Days 1 and 2, with an emphasis on building a strong foundation for your future winter mountaineering pursuits in Scotland. Rest assured, our WMCI-qualified instructors will be by your side, offering gentle encouragement and expert insights to make every moment rewarding.
We begin with a personalised review of your winter walking essentials—ensuring your crampon gait, ice axe swing, and snowpack intuition feel second nature. This isn’t about rushing; it’s about building trust in your movement before the terrain becomes more complex. Once we’re ready, we’ll ease into introductory ropework on gentle Grade I slopes, introducing:
By day’s close, you’ll sense the rhythm of winter mountaineering in Scotland, ready for tomorrow’s continuation.
With your base solid, we venture to more engaging terrain, where the interplay of snow and rock reveals the true nature of winter mountaineering. Today, we deepen your rope skills on Grade I-II terrain, exploring when and how to place protection with confidence and precision. Key focuses include:
It’s a day of continual progression, leaving you with a toolkit for independent practice.
As your confidence builds, we seek out Torridon’s rockier ridges—those timeless routes that define winter mountaineering in Scotland. Operating on Grade I-II for authentic practice, we’ll practice ropework under real-world gusts and freezing conditions, while honing your eye for rock integrity. You’ll also master retreats, from mindful down-climbing to efficient abseils, ensuring every ascent has a safe exit.
This is where sound judgement becomes key: reading the mountain’s condition, not just its map.
Today, we weave your skills into a complete mountain day, perhaps tracing a classic Torridon ridge that captures the essence of winter mountaineering Scotland. On Grade I-II ground, you’ll lead more choices—from anchor placement to pace—while we consolidate belays, rope management, and avalanche protocols in context. It’s less about instruction and more about immersion: feeling the winter conditions, the rock’s resolve, and your own emerging development.
Expect breathtaking views and that quiet satisfaction of skills in harmony with the landscape.
Our final day is tailored to your individual weaknesses or requirements — be it extra leads on specific terrain, a summit push that stretches your ability, or revisiting nuances like emergency anchors. Your instructor remains a steady presence for questions and nudges, but the spotlight is on you: crafting safe, efficient decisions as a self-assured winter mountaineer.
We part knowing you’ve unlocked not just techniques, but the joy of Scotland’s winter wilds.
We offer courses with and without accommodation. For courses where we offer it with accommodation you will see this in our pricing table on our dates and price tab.
The accommodation included with this course is on a self catering, twin sharing basis in Kinlochewe at Kinlochewe Mountain Chalets situated at the head of Glen Torridon. This location provides the perfect base for our winter mountaineering courses, being close to the hills and in a beautiful little hamlet that resides next to the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.
The accommodation includes shared cooking facilities and lounge for you to relax in after your hill days. There is also a private carpark onsite so travel is simple.
All prices are per person.
Open courses = join other climbers (max 4 per instructor).
Private courses = book your own group on any date in the season.
Two day course:
Five day course:
Additional nights including dinner, bed and breakfast purchased at:
You can find a full price breakdown below and all the dates we offer courses on. Have a group of you looking to book? – we offer private prices as well just click the tab.
Open course are where you can book onto a date and join other like minded people. These are great for individuals looking to share an experience with others and make new friends and climbing partners. Our open courses are run to a maximum of four individual spaces (with one instructor) on each open course to give the perfect balance between a social experience and effective learning in the mountains.
Our two day open course are perfect for those looking to refresh their skills or time strapped individuals who intend to go off and practice afterwards.
| Dates | Course Only Course | Accommodation Included Accommodation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course + Shared Occupancy Shared | Course + Single Occupancy Single | ||
| 17 - 18 Jan 2026 (Accommodation: 16 - 18 Jan 2026) | £330 | FULL | FULL |
| 7 - 8 Feb 2026 (Accommodation: 6 - 8 Feb 2026) | £330 | FULL | FULL |
| 7 - 8 Mar 2026 (Accommodation: 6 - 8 Mar 2026) | £330 | £500 | £570 |
Prices shown are all per person.
Our five day open course are the complete package, covering all the skills needed to start out winter mountaineering.
| Dates | Course Only Course | Accommodation Included Accommodation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course + Shared Occupancy Shared | Course + Single Occupancy Single | ||
| 12 - 16 Jan 2026 (Accommodation: 11 - 16 Jan 2026) | £750 | FULL | FULL |
| 19 - 23 Jan 2026 (Accommodation: 18 - 23 Jan 2026) | £750 | £1150 | £1470 |
| 9 - 13 Feb 2026 (Accommodation: 8 - 13 Feb 2026) | £750 | £1150 | £1470 |
| 2 - 6 Mar 2026 (Accommodation: 1 - 6 Mar 2026) | £750 | £1150 | £1470 |
| 9 - 13 Mar 2026 (Accommodation: 8 - 13 Mar 2026) | £750 | £1150 | £1470 |
Prices shown are all per person.
Private courses are totally flexible and tailored directly to your needs. These can be run on any dates during the season and will only have yourself or those you have booked with on the course. This works well for those where they need specific dates or where they would rather not be on a course with someone they don’t know. We have a maximum ratio of 1 guide to 4 clients for winter mountaineering courses to ensure your safety.
| Ratio | Price |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | £640 |
| 1:2 | £340 per person |
| 1:3 | £260 per person |
| 1:4 | £210 per person |
| Ratio | Price |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | £1500 |
| 1:2 | £900 per person |
| 1:3 | £750 per person |
| 1:4 | £600 per person |
Our two day courses:
| Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| 17 Jan 2026 to 18 Jan 2026 | From £330 |
| 7 Feb 2026 to 8 Feb 2026 | From £330 |
| 7 Mar 2026 to 8 Mar 2026 | From £330 |
Our five day courses:
| Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| 12 Jan 2026 to 16 Jan 2026 | From £750 |
| 19 Jan 2026 to 23 Jan 2026 | From £750 |
| 9 Feb 2026 to 13 Feb 2026 | From £750 |
| 2 Mar 2026 to 6 Mar 2026 | From £750 |
| 9 Mar 2026 to 13 Mar 2026 | From £750 |
Prices shown are all per person.
Ice axe, crampon and helmet hire are all included in the course fee