Top 5 reasons to join a Winter Skills Course

Have you seen our Winter Skills courses and wondered about going on one yourself? Well, here are some reasons to make you realise it’s a no-brainer! Spending the day on Helvellyn in winter conditions with an official Lake District National Park Fell Top Assessor really is a unique experience not to be missed.

1. Stunning views

With unrivalled views of Helvellyn, Red Tarn, Striding Edge and the fells beyond, this adventure is perfect for someone with a love of the Lakeland fells and their beauty. Perfect for that special Instagram selfie moment when you reach the summit. The fells look great in any weather, but the ice and snow of winter is something extra special.

A winter skills course in the snow on Helvellyn looking down at an icy tarn

2. We'll make sure you #SummitSafely

On a Winter Skills course you'll learn the skills needed for safe winter fell-walking. Learn to navigate and gain the confidence to go out in the mountains in winter conditions and have the knowledge to stay safe and enjoy the conditions.

Our Fell Top Assessors are fully-qualified mountain guides with great experience in leading people on mountains in all conditions, both are fully-qualified Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors (WCMI), the highest mountaineering qualification in the UK, and members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors. They are the people you want to be with in challenging winter conditions on Helvellyn.

3. Have an adventure

This really is going to be day to remember and one you will never forget! Our group courses have up to 6 guests, you can go up the mountain as strangers and come down as friends. Or book a private course for a couple or group, a great adventure day to celebrate an anniversary, a birthday of just an overdue catch up. What better way to spend the day and have a true Lake District experience than exploring one of the Lakes most iconic mountains with an official Fell Top Assessor.

A group course on a gentle descent down a snow covered fell.

4. Challenge yourself

The day promises to be strenuous and a lot of fun. You have to have some good fitness and be brave enough to push yourself through the challenge of  summiting Helvellyn. The route you take on the day will depend on weather conditions and the competence of your group. The Striding Edge route is often chosen by the Fell Top Assessors, but all routes end at the top, and summiting Helvellyn (England's third highest mountain) is a big achievement to tick off your list.

Fell Top Assessor on a very cloudy fell top covered in icy rocks.

5. Get mountain fit

We’re often guilty of spending too much time in front of the screen and not getting outside and exploring enough. Maybe you're feeling it’s time to hit the gym and start getting some fitness back, well, a day climbing the third highest mountain in England could be a much more fun way of getting those endorphins flowing and feeling good again. Mountain hikes work every muscle in your body!

Group course on a gentle ascent of a high snow-covered fell.

So there you have it, we can’t think of a better way to spend a winters day than being up in the glorious fells having fun, challenging yourself, exploring and creating memories. Don’t hesitate to book your Winter Skills course now so you get the pick of dates. There are limited spaces each year so book now to avoid disappointment.

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Date: 16 Sep 2021