Winter Skills Course for Runners

Unlock Scottish Highland mountain adventure

Learn the fundamental skills needed to experience the Scottish Highland mountains in winter.

Winter skills for runners?

Running over mountain in winter presents very real challenges and considerations.

Aspiring to a fast and light style requires you to take precautions, know safety procedures, understand dynamic risk assessments, terrain traps, choose specific kit and have the physical skills to keep yourself safe.

This course will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate snowy peaks safely and confidently. A winter skills course designed for keen runners who want to survive winter adventures.

Unlock the skills you need for secure and thrilling winter adventures. You’ll gain awareness and knowledge to make better choices on what adventures to go on, what to take and and when to go.

The aim of the course is to help folk experience winter mountain days and become capable, safe independent winter hill goers.

Is this for me?

The Winter Skills Course for Runners is ideal for those who:

Have a bit of trail running, hill running or fell running experience.
Want to know how to stay safe on a snowy mountain.
Love a challenge.
Have a joy for snow.

No prior winter mountain experience necessary.

Who leads the course?

My name is Arron Sparks, I’m a qualified Summer & Winter Mountain Leader. I have years of experience walking, running and climbing in the Highlands and understand the importance of respecting and understanding risk in the the hills.

What’s covered?

When & how to use axe & crampons
Movement skills on snow and ice
Safety considerations and risk management.
Winter weather awareness
Running specific equipment essentials
Navigation techniques
Terrain management
Avalanche awareness
Emergency procedures
Environmental considerations
Winter specific fitness and nutrition
How to plan a fun and suitable winter adventure

The course includes theory & practical practice sessions. Classroom time spent looking at data, maps, other safety mechanisms and theory. We’ll also spend plenty of time hands-on, in practice sessions in real-world, potentially challenging winter conditions.

The skills needed to stay safe on snow & icy slopes require repetitive slow, deliberate practice. We will be spending hours stood around on snow and ice in potentially challenging conditions.

What happens?

Day 1 Theory & Skills | 9am Start. Morning spent in the class room, learning theory. Afternoon time on slopes working on technical movement skills. A day walking rather than running.

Day 2 Skill & Journey | Early start, location dependant. More skills practice and a journey.

Optional Day 3 – Adventure | An optional extra. A day spent in the hills focusing on the joys of moving through a winter Highland landscape.

Simply put, this is the course I wish I could have taken when I was starting out exploring the mountains in winter.

It would have saved me a heap of money on wasted gear, courses and travel.

It would have spared me countless hours wading through internet forms and social media posts trying to find answers that weren’t online.

Most importantly, I’d have been safer out in the mountains.

Where does it take place?

The Winter Skills for Runners course is based out of Dingwall. This allows us to travel to where conditions are at their best, maximising learning opportunities.

Possible destinations for the course include the Cairngorms, Torridon, the Fannichs, Beinn Dearg and beyond.

Dingwall is a Highland town, North of Inverness and offers convenient amenities:

Accommodation (hotels, B&Bs and Airbnbs).
Independent shops and cafes
Two large supermarkets
Restaurants
Takeaways
Train station
Petrol station

Dingwall, Highland, Scotland

What’s included?

Assessment of your skills and recommendations of how to progress your adventures
2 Day introduction to the skills needed for safe Winter Hill Running
Access to the detailed kit list with my personal kit choice and recommendations
Course materials
Recommended reading list
Continued access to my expertise after the course has taken place
Optional 3rd day adventurous winter run

The course doesn’t include: Food, accommodation, transport, kit hire, teaching of any rope skills (this is hill running, not a climbing course).

I’m not sure this right for me?

I want everyone who spends time on the hill with me to learn and enjoy themselves. If there’s any thing you’re unsure of or anything I need to adapt for your needs send me a message and we can chat things through.

Those that get the most out of the course have:

Experience of running over a munro or comparable mountain in summer conditions.
A basic understanding of how to use a map and compass.
A reasonable level of fitness (can comfortably run 10K).
The right kit (kit list available here).
A joy for snow.

No prior winter mountain experience necessary.

If you don’t think you’re ready to take the Winter Skill Course for Runners then a 1 Day Guided Winter Outing tailored to suit your needs and appetite might be more appropriate.

I’m happy to answer questions about winter skills and running, whether you’re up for a skills course or not. I love helping people progress so please do get in touch if you have a question or need help.

How do I book?

To book onto a course please send me an email and I’ll reply with all the information needed.
I offer a 15% discount to those who travel to Dingwall by public transport, be sure to mention it in your enquiry.