Winter Skills Day Courses

Meet promptly at 08.30am in Glenridding at our Information Centre. Parking and toilets available.

• Postcode: CA11 0PD
• Grid ref:  NY385169
• ///lecturing.skate.gambles

Length: 10-15 km

Depending on weather and group size, a full day could take approximately 8-9 hours

• Total ascent: 900 m
• Highest point: 950 m

• Grade: Strenuous
• A good level of fitness is required.

The Winter Skills courses are for adults only and not open to those under 18 years of age.

Our Winter Skills day courses are run by our official Fell Top Assessors who are passionate about the outdoors, Lake District fells, and teaching the necessary skills to be safe in winter conditions.

Our Fell Top Assessors have great experience in leading people on mountains in all conditions, and are members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors.

Learn about our Fell Top Assessors and why they walk up Helvellyn everyday during the winter season on our Fell Top Assessors page.

Up to 6 participants can join a group course.

£125 per adult.

A private course with the Fell Top Assessor:

• 1:1 – £260 just you and the Fell Top Assessor
• 2:1 – £350 you and one guest and the Fell Top Assessor
• 3:1 – £440 you and two guests and the Fell Top Assessor
• 4:1 – £530 you and three guests and the Fell Top Assessor
• 5:1 – £620 you and four guests and the Fell Top Assessor
• 6:1 – £710 you and five guests and the Fell Top Assessor

Gift vouchers for our group courses and private courses are now available. Perfect presents for those looking for a true Lake District adventure!

Buy a Winter Skills voucher

Yes, when you book a course you can also book to hire:

• Crampons – £15 per day
• Ice axe – £15 per day

You will also need appropriately graded crampon-compatible walking boots. These are also available to hire:

• Winter walking boots – £15 per day

We can provide all the technical gear for the day, but you are expected to have your own personal clothing and equipment. You will need*:

• Full waterproofs (including trousers and gaiters)
• Warm layers including a spare fleece/down jacket
• Woolly hat and gloves
• Ski goggles (cat 0 or cat 1), head torch and spare batteries
• Rucksack (at least 40L)
• Winter walking boots (must be rated B1 or B2 to take crampons – see our list of compatible boots below) can be hired when booking at £15 per day
• Packed lunch including a hot drink and spare snacks
• You will also need an ice axe and crampons (rated at least C1 – not ‘spikes’) can be hired when booking for £15 per day

*The instructor reserves the right to refuse to take anyone on the day who does not have the correct personal clothing and boots. No jeans please, and avoid cotton baselayers.

Boots compatible with crampons (many more boots are compatible but not listed here)

Aku

• Serai GTX
• Tengu GTX
• Montagnard GTX
• Yatumine GTX
• Terrealte GTX

Berghaus

• Kibo

Boreal

• Arwa Bi Flex
• Nelion

Garmont

• Mountain Guide Pro GTX
• Pinnacle GTX
• Tower LX GTX

Hanwag

• Badile Combi GTX

La Sportiva

• G2 SM
• G5
• Nepal Cube
• Nepal Extreme
• Trango Ice Cube
• Trango S Evo
• Trango Tower GTX

Mammut

• Mamook GTX
• Magic Guide High GTX
• Magic High GTX

Meindl (German Rating C & D)

• Jorasse GTX
• Jorasse Lady GTX
• Super Perfect
• Perfect
• Verte GTX
• Glockner MFS
• GroBvenediger MFS

Millet

• Charpoua GTX Alpine

Scarpa

• Charmoz
• Manta Pro GTX
• Mont Blanc Pro GTX
• Phantom Tech
• R-Evo Pro GTX
• Rebel Lite GTX
• SL Active

Zamberlan

• Dufur Evo GTX RR
• Expert Pro GTX RR
• Mountain Pro Evo GTX RR

As part of your booking, you will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire for all participants so our Fell Top Assessors can assess suitability for participation and make reasonable adjustments where appropriate.

These questions include:

• Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
• Have you ever felt pain in your chest when you do physical exercise?
• In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
• Do you often feel faint, have spells of severe dizziness or have lost consciousness?
• Have you ever suffered from unusual shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion?
• Has the doctor ever said that you have a bone or joint problem (such as arthritis) that has been aggravated by exercise or that may be made worse by exercise?
• Do you have either high or low blood pressure?
• Are you currently on any prescribed medicines that may affect your ability to exercise, including weight loss drugs?
• Are you pregnant or have you had a baby in the last 6 months?
• Have you ever suffered from back pain or had any back-related illness or injury?
• Are there any other medical conditions we should be aware of?

Read our health, risk and fitness declaration and privacy notice.

If you have any questions about the medical questionnaire, please contact: winterskills@lakedistrict.gov.uk

In the event that there is a lack of snow or snow conditions are deteriorating, a course will continue with a mountaineering day. The day will provide the opportunity to experience a day in the mountains with our highly skilled and qualified Fell Top Assessor.

In the event of adverse weather, our Fell Top Assessor(s) will make a decision on the day as to whether the event will proceed or if an alternative will be offered. Their decision is final.

There must be a minimum of 3 participants / maximum of 6 for the group courses to run. All courses must be booked in advance.

Disclaimer: Winter hill walking is a potentially hazardous activity. Although all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety of people participating in the events listed, individuals do so at their own risk. Your instructor reserves the right to refuse to guide anyone who does not have appropriate clothing and footwear. Please phone prior to booking if there are any disabilities which could affect the logistics of the course.

See our Winter Skills courses terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions includes information on our policy for cancellations, refunds and gift vouchers.