Winter Skills Course information and frequently asked questions
Start point: 08.30am in Glenridding.
- Postcode: CA11 0PD
- Grid ref: NY385169
- ///lecturing.skate.gambles
Length: 10-15 km
Duration: 8-9 hours
- Total ascent: 900 m
- Highest point: 950 m
- Grade: Strenuous
- A good level of fitness is required.
- Adults only. Not open to those under 18 years of age.
Our winter skills day courses are run by instructors who are passionate about the outdoors, about the Lake District fells, and about giving people the skills they need to be safe.
Our instructors have great experience in leading people on mountains in all conditions, and are members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors.
Learn about who are course instructors are on our Fell Top Assessors page.
Up to 6 participants on a group course
£125 per adult
£125 per adult
A private masterclass 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 masterclasses are now available. Perfect presents for those looking for a true Lake District adventure!
Yes, we have available:
- Winter walking boots – £15 per day
- Crampons – £15 per day
- Ice axe – £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, head torch and spare batteries
- Rucksack (at least 30L)
- 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
- I am currently fit and well.
- I have read the list of relevant medical conditions listed below* and none of them applies to me.
- I have not had to take any long term medication prescribed by a doctor in the last 12 months
- In addition I am not currently under the care of my own doctor or hospital for investigation into any medical condition or symptoms.
- I have no undue problems taking exercise such as strenuous walking, running for a bus, swimming, lifting day to day objects or jumping from a 3ft wall.
- I haven’t within the last 3 months had surgery or a serious injury, including a fracture.
* Relevant medical conditions list:
- A heart attack within the last 6 months
- Angina/chest pain
- High blood pressure that is not well controlled with medication
- Joint problems such or arthritis in any joint, or back or neck, that stops you exercising due to pain
- Asthma which is brought on by exercise and not well controlled with medication
- Pregnancy
If you have any questions about these conditions and whether they apply to you please do get in touch by emailing 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(s).
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.
Booking a Winter Skills Day Course
The Fell Top Assessor season has finished for winter 2025/26.
The Assessors will be back from December 2026 to climb Helvellyn every day until spring 2027. The Winter Skills courses will also begin in December. To be the first to hear about Winter Skills courses for 2026/27 season.
Gift vouchers are available to book ahead of the Winter Skills season. Perfect presents for those looking for a true Lake District adventure!
