Blair Aitken
Blair Aitken is an internationally qualified BASI 4 ski instructor and race coach, Snowsport Scotland Mountain Snowsports Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, Paddlesports Instructor and Mountain Bike Leader, and is European Mountain Security qualified for ski touring. He has spent more than a decade in the Alpes, running ski instructor courses and assessments for the British Association of Snowsports Instructors, as well as growing the successful New Generation Ski & Snowboard School in Val d'Isére.
Blair is an experienced ski-mountaineer and former alpine national ski champion who has been backcountry skiing in Scotland since the mid-nineties. He is actively involved in promoting ski-touring amongst British skiers. He is also a competent mountain biker and leads groups in the Lothians, the Tweed valley and the Highlands.
Blair teaches and instructs for East Lothian Council Outdoor Learning and Venturing Out, a Community Interest Company.
Gavin Carruthers
Gavin Carruthers is an internationally qualified ski instructor and race coach, Mountain Leader, Mountain Bike Leader and European Mountain Security qualified off-piste ski-touring instructor. He has spent more than a twenty years coaching young ski racers and has inspired many a skier onto National ski teams and working full time in the mountains. Gavin was awarded Scottish Ski Coach of the year in 2015.
Gavin is an experienced ski-mountaineer, former national race champion, freestyle and free ride competitor and has made several first descents in Scotland. Gavin has worked with Glenmore Lodge and British Backcountry over the last few years delivering ski touring courses.
Gavin now teaches Maths in Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland by ski and by bike.
ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTORS
Alex Watt
BASI European Mountain Security, BASI ISTD Level 4, Summer Mountain Leader, Canadian Avalanche Operations Level 1and has worked for 7 seasons in Verbier.
Alex joins us from February until April each year.
Alex Reid
Snowsports Mountain Leader, Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader level 3
Alex Reid works in the Northern Cairngorms and can take bookings for ski touring.
Alex normally delivers our specialist Navigation and Avalanche Awareness Courses.
Tom Weston
Snowsports Mountain Leader, Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Scottish Cycling Mountain Bike Leader
Tom normally delivers our mountaineering skills weekends.
Craig Burry
Snowsports Mountain Leader, Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader level 2
Craig delivers our Splitboard specific courses.
ATOMIC
Atomic gear gives us access to better skiing, with its blend of lightweight, pioneering and reliable technology. #WEARESKIING
BCA
We use Backcountry Access avalanche safety equipment and other specialist equipment. It is well made, simple, light, reliable and robust which makes it ideal for working in Scotland.
TEKO socks
Regular ski touring can be hard on the feet. We use Teko socks for their comfort, warmth and materials. Often the right sock makes as much difference as the right boot or shoe.