TOOLS & RESOURCES
We have pulled together resources and guidance documents to help you refresh your skills and #ThinkWINTER before heading out on the hills.
Winter is an exciting time of year for those who enjoy Scotland’s hills, but it comes with a number of unique and amplified risks. Having the appropriate skills, knowledge and equipment can enable you to plan effectively, make informed decisions, and be safe while out enjoying the mountains of Scotland and elsewhere through the colder months.
Winter Skills Videos
Ice axe arrest, walking in crampons, what to pack in your bag for a winter hill day. Planning tools and winter skills videos.
View videosWinter Navigation Videos
Would you like to be more confident with your navigation in winter? Would you know how to relocate yourself in a white out? Do you need to remember how to take a bearing? We have a selection of youtube videos here to help answer your questions.
View videosUsing your phone to navigate
Today, many of those out in the hills use GPS or mobile phones to navigate. Find some useful advice on how to do this effectively and safely from one of our Think WINTER partners, Mountaineering Scotland.
LEARN MOREWEATHER FORECASTS
MOUNTAIN WEATHER INFORMATION SERVICE
The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) produces regular reports that are available online and will help you understand recent weather patterns to help you build up a more accurate picture of the weather, helping you decide how to take the safest routes.
MWISMET OFFICE MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST
The Met Office provides specialist forecasts for a selection of the main hill and mountain areas in the UK. This content is designed for walkers, mountaineers and others taking part in outdoor activities.
MET OFFICESCOTTISH AVALANCHE INFORMATION SERVICE
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) provides daily forecasts of the avalanche, snow, and mountain conditions for the 5 most popular areas of Scotland. If you witness an avalanche then please report it to SAIS.
SAISBE AVALANCHE AWARE
An eLearning course to introduce you to this important decision making tool for all winter mountain users
This free online avalanche awareness training initiative was launched by the Snow and Avalanche Foundation of Scotland (SAFOS), with development support from member organisations Mountain Training Scotland and Glenmore Lodge.
Aimed at individuals making critical decisions in the winter mountains, this free digital version of the ‘Be Avalanche Aware’ planning tool will enable hillwalkers, climbers, mountaineers and skiers to be more aware of the avalanche risks and the factors that influence their planning and journey decision making.
WINTER COURSE LECTURES
AVALANCHE EDUCATION
Essential avalanche education for those looking to access the UK mountains in the winter. This presentation has been created for our students attending winter training courses, but can be used by anyone looking to increase their avalanche awareness.
WATCH HERETHE ART OF ANTICIPATION: PLANNING & DECISION MAKING
Research and planning are key to making good decisions both before and during any time spent out on the hills in winter conditions. This video is a recording of a presentation delivered to students attending our winter training courses, but offers useful advice for anyone looking to enjoy the hills in winter.
WATCH HEREWINTER NAVIGATION
A useful overview of some key information you should have if you’re looking to access the hills in winter conditions. This video is a recording of a presentation delivered to students attending our winter training courses, but offers useful advice for anyone looking to enjoy the hills in winter.
WATCH HEREAvalanche Transceiver Park
Our avalanche transceiver park is available for anyone to use free of charge to test out their own avalanche transceiver. Find information and helpful videos on the page below
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