This course is for people who have ski toured but are not familiar with winter mountaineering equipment such as ice axe, crampons and ski crampons.

Day 1 - The first day will cover use boot crampons, ski crampons and walking with an axe. You will also be shown how to self arrest using an ice axe on foot. You will be introduced to moving in steeper ground and shown how to safely transition from boots to skis and vice versa.

Day 2 - We focus on ways to keep yourself and those travelling with you safe when travelling on steeper ground. You will learn efficient and appropriate ropework and will be given the opportunity to build anchors from the snow and your ski equipment. As there is a lot to cover this will be done in a controlled area near the starting point. Most of the day is practical but there will also be a strong focus on decision making and planning.

This course is aimed at experienced ski tourers who have attending a minimum of 10 ski tours and are happy on black runs and off piste. Please read the full prerequisites below.

OVERVIEW

1:6 ratio

£190

Sat 24th & Sun 25th February 2024 - Cairngorm mountain

PRE-REQUISITES

You would need to be a confident black run and off piste skiing who has experience dealing with all the types of snow we might come across (ice, windslab, sustruggi, neve, powder). Some slopes may be up to 35 degrees but we will only venture onto steeper terrain in safe, grippy spring snow conditions.

You Should have a good level of fitness (around 1000metres ascent of vertical on skis).

Under 18s should not attend this course.

If you have had a long break from skiing please make sure you visit your local dry slope or try to get a day of uplift skiing before attending.

You should have completed approx 5 ski tours with people in groups and need to be familiar with ski touring equipment and ideally using it in Scottish conditions.