Snow and Ice Climbing

Overview

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Sunday to Friday, 5 full days' instruction

Introduction

The Snow and Ice Climbing course is for those with previous winter climbing experience who would like to improve their skills, learn new techniques and tackle harder routes of Scottish grade III to V. We are in easy reach of all the major winter climbing venues, such as Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Aonach Mor, Aonach Beag and Creag Meagaidh.

To join the week you will need to have:

• Completed climbs of Scottish grade II/III on a previous climbing course, or the equivalent.

Please note that climbs tackled include a mix of 'snow and ice' and 'mixed' or 'buttress' routes. We can also practice ice climbing techniques at the indoor 'Ice Factor' wall in Kinlochleven if necessary. Our Snow and Ice climbing course also provides excellent preparation for some of our most difficult expeditions.

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Outline Programme

Day 1:	The course begins at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening with the Course Briefing. The briefing covers essential information for the week ahead. We will discuss equipment for the following day and issue hire kit. After dinner there will be a short presentation on winter clothing and cold injury.
Day 2:	The intention is to make the best of the winter conditions available and to do a route during the first full day. We won't neglect to refresh your basic skills, especially efficient movement on steep ground and ice-axe arrest.
Day 3-6:	For the rest of the week we find routes best suited to the individual climbers' ability. We will offer as wide a variety of climbing as possible, from pure ice to mixed buttress routes. Throughout the week, we will focus on efficient, effective and safe rope work and climbing techniques. Full consideration will be given to all the other essential winter skills, which contribute to achieving that special feeling associated with an exciting winter ascent.

Typical routes might include:

• Crowberry Gully, Buchaille Etive Mor (IV)
• Twisting Gully, Stob Coire Nan Lochan (IV)
• SC Gully, Stob Coire Nan Lochan (III)
• Scabbard Chimney, Stob Coire Nan Lochan (V, 5)
• Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis (III)
• Green Gully, Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis (IV)
• Indicator Wall, Ben Nevis (V)
• Smith's Route, Ben Nevis (V)
• Thompson's Route, Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis (V)
• Two Step Corner, Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis (V)
• Cascade, Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis (IV, 5)
• Comb Gully, Ben Nevis (III/IV)
• The Curtain, Carn Dearg Buttress, Ben Nevis (V)
• Deep Cut Chimney, Stob Coire Nam Beith (IV)

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Accommodation in Ballachulish?		Availability
Sun 8 Feb – Fri 13 Feb 2026	Yes	No	Available Book now »
	£1,395	£995
Sun 15 Feb – Fri 20 Feb 2026	Yes	No	Available Book now »
	£1,395	£995
Sun 22 Feb – Fri 27 Feb 2026	Yes	No	Available Book now »
	£1,395	£995
Sun 1 Mar – Fri 6 Mar 2026	Yes	No	Available Book now »
	£1,395	£995
Sun 8 Mar – Fri 13 Mar 2026	Yes	No	Available Book now »
	£1,395	£995
Sun 15 Mar – Fri 20 Mar 2026	Yes	No	Available Book now »
	£1,395	£995

This course is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
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Group size: 2 – 6 people.

Single room supplement: £315

For comparison, this course starts from £279 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 5 nights' hotel accommodation, on a twin-sharing basis at the Ballachulish Hotel*
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout (if booking selected is 'Include Hotel Accommodation').
• Instructional fees based on the optimum student to instructor ratio for the activity being undertaken.
• Road transport to fulfil the course programme.
• All group mountaineering equipment, such as ropes and other technical equipment.
• Boots, Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets (when reserved in advance).

*Prices without food and accommodation are available. Please select 'Exclude Hotel Accommodation' when booking.

What the price does not include

• Transport to the Ballachulish Hotel.
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing.
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance
• Mechanical uplift costs and indoor climbing**

**The Aonach Mor Gondola is frequently used on all courses, as is the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven.

Course Directors and Ratios

Find out more about our Course Directors, Climber to Instructor Ratios... read more

Photos & Videos

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• Snow and Ice Climbing - March 2016
• Distilled: Scottish WInter climbing with Andy Cave...
• Scottish Ice Trip

Reports & Reviews

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Team Member Reviews

• ‘Been on two trips before with Jagged Globe and they were both first class.’ SF, Snow and Ice Climbing - Feb '15
• ‘I regularly choose Jagged Globe and have never been disappointed.’ AJ, Snow and Ice Climbing, Feb '14
• ‘Jagged Globe instructors and guides are always really good, you do a fantastic job selecting the best of the best for your courses and this is really appreciated!’ JR, Snow and Ice Climbing Jan 2011
• ‘Organisation was first class as ever. I have yet to meet a Jagged Globe instructor who is not competent, approachable and a credit to their profession.’ CO, Snow and Ice Jan 2011
• ‘The progression of difficulty throughout the course built my confidence for tackling the next day.’ MP