Winter Mountaineering Masterclasses in the Lake District

If you’re looking for an introduction to winter mountaineering, or you want to brush up your personal skills, this Masterclass will be great for you. The course will cover the following:
~ how to use ice axes and crampons
~ how to move quickly without compromising safety
~ how to make good choices and use the best techniques for the terrain
~ how to navigate in winter conditions

The course will go ahead whatever the conditions, even if there is absolutely no snow. You will still have a really good adventurous day out, using crampons and axes on steep grassy ground. The course is open to all Mountain Leader holders, and anyone with comparable personal experience.

Venue: will be confirmed in the week before the masterclass, but it will be somewhere in the central Lake District

Dates: see the Masterclasses section on our online calendar

Times: 9am to 4pm approx

Cost: £68 Mountain Training Association members, £74 non-members

Counts as 1 CPD point for MTA members (pending approval from Mountain Training)

Equipment list:
You can download a full kit list here.

Useful blog posts:
Crampon Review and Comparison
Top Tips For Choosing An Ice Axe
What’s The Next Best Thing To A Perfect Pair Of Winter Mountaineering Gloves?
Do You Recognise The 10 Early Warning Signs Of Hypothermia?
7 Top Tips For Rock Climbers & Mountaineers
Crampon Review & Comparison: Petzl Vasak Lever Lock, old vs new
My Favourite Climbing Helmet: the Petzl Meteor (And How To Choose A New Helmet)
Top Tips For A Safe Fun Winter Season Revisited
Everything You Need To Know About Crampons

What do our clients say about us?

Great to learn from Chris, clear instructions and advice on how to be a better mountaineer. Great to have what you have read in books explained with examples on the hill! Fabulous day of learning, especially the snow structure and avalanche details. Every day is a learning day with Chris, in a pleasant friendly way. Could not ask for more.
Dave Harryman, December 2021

The booking process was easy and straight forward. It is always handled in a friendly, quick and efficient way. A full programme that made good use of the available conditions. Excellent small group with plenty of individual coaching. Have booked several courses with Chris and am part of his mentor programme. I have enjoyed every course with Chris, always benefitted from learning new skills, consolidating old skills and eliminating bad habits.
Lathan Ball, December 2021

Chris is very patient, explains well and easy to understand. Different types of snow now very clear to me. Several good tips (such as estimating slope angle) that I haven't seen before.
Mark Richards, December 2021

Great value of money for a masterclass with an IFMGA Guide.
Andrew Blunn, January 2022

Despite the complete absence of snow I came away confident that I had a good basic understanding of how to use crampons and an ice axe in snow and ice. Chris listened to what each participant wanted out of the training and delivered accordingly as well as fulfilling the basic course objectives. My first post ML training and it was great to refresh and get new tips and learning. I particularly appreciated being challenged beyond my comfort zone knowing that I was in good hands. Thanks Chris for a brilliant day, not letting me off the hook whilst being mindful of my abilities.
Bridget Turnbull, February 2023

Chris is very knowledgeable and enjoyable to be around he has great teaching methods and all round a great guy. I know people that have done previous courses with him, they spoke highly of him and recommended him and I can totally see why!
Will McDonald, February 2023