winter mountain courses

young persons winter courses - 16 to 20 yrs

Course Preview

2 Day week end or 3-5 Day mid week

Max Ration | 1:6

introduction to winter skills - 16 to 20 yrs

Course Preview

2 Day week end  or 3 Day mid week

Max Ratio | 1:6/8

Age Limits | 16 - 20 years

Many young people take part in more adventurous mountaineering - this has always been the case - either with friends, through a club / youth group / scouts / DofE / or with family and friends. In the nature of things - in our shrinking world - there are now more easily accessible mountain adventures open to younger folks - as part of a gap year or simply a progressive interest in the outdoors.
What better way to spend part of the Christmas, New Year, February half term, or Easter break with friends or like minded other young people learning the basics of winter skills. This could be in preparation for a summer expedition or a first trip to the Alps or an ideal way to extend summer hill walking into an all year round activity.

While we are very happy to include younger novices onto our mountain courses it is our strong recommendation that - to get the most value out of a suitable winter skills course for this age group - a maximum of 3 days is booked at any one time. There is always a big drain on the body's personal physical and mental energy on the hills in winter. Our experience tells us that the "inner core" of younger folks on the hill does not cope as well with a full 5 day course in a Scottish winter. We have designated some specific courses where we are more than happy to accept 16 - 20 year olds during holiday or half term times. Snowgoose Mountain Centre is one of the very few companies able to offer this service. We have a 2 year AALA Licence ( L55888/RO565)

Previous Experience | Some experience of summer hill walking and familiarity with map & compass work is useful. You should be fairly hill fit and be prepared to spend all day "on the hill"

Course Details | These winter mountain skills & walking programs offer an ideal, high input, cost-effective opportunity to learn the requirements of essential winter skills, winter mountain navigation, mountain equipment and clothing - before investing heavily in buying specialist gear. All technical gear is supplied but - if you do not have them - ice axe, crampons will need to be hired at extra cost from us along with suitable stiff winter boots.

Course Itinerary

The Itinerary will follow that of either the Winter Skills - Winter Walking or Winter Munros programs

• The overall course programmes are based on our Introduction to Winter Skills – Winter Mountain Walking and Winter & Munros
  The priority on these high-input programmes is given to winter Mountain Navigation, proper use of ice axe and crampons for safe travel through the Scottish mountains in winter, The assessment and prediction of avalanche and winter weather conditions will also be covered along with survival techniques.
• Where a more technical programme is required for maybe a part or whole group who already have some winter experience the course is based on our Winter Mountaincraft Course. Here a lower ratio of instructor / student will apply along with a higher daily rate.

NOTE | Parents and guardians should note that we are definitely not a traditional "outdoor center" in a large old country house with serviced accommodation (food provided). There is always the option for an adult to book into our self catering apartments or s/c shared hostel and bunkhouse accommodation on another course or maybe go skiing or snow boarding - or even just chill out. However we have found that most young folks on our winter courses do relish the opportunity to be full self reliant and look after themselves totally.

Parent should bear in mind that we are not able to provide evening entertainment, activities or direct supervision throughout the evenings - other than the "homework" which is occasionally set! .We are always contactable by phone if need be 24 hours a day if there are any problems.