Winter Mountain Journeys: Eryri - long weekend
  • Plas y Brenin
  • 3 Days
  • 6 People to 1 instructor

Winter Mountain Journeys: Eryri - long weekend

  • Hike
  • Intermediate
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Overview

Winter brings a very different character to the mountains of Eryri. Familiar landscapes are transformed by snow, ice, frost and changing light, creating opportunities for some truly memorable mountain adventures.

Our Winter Mountain Journeys: Eryri long weekend offers three days of guided exploration in this spectacular mountain environment.

See Course Dates & Prices

The Objectives

From sweeping ridgelines and dramatic cwms to quieter mountain landscapes, Eryri offers an extraordinary variety of possibilities for winter exploration. Each day will be shaped by the weather, snow and ground conditions, with routes selected to provide rewarding journeys appropriate to the group's experience.

You'll develop your winter walking skills, improve your understanding of the mountain environment and explore how to make decisions about routes, conditions and safety. Where conditions require, you'll refresh your existing ice axe and crampon skills under the guidance of your instructor.
During the course, you'll:

  • Build confidence travelling through varied winter terrain and conditions
  • Practise efficient movement on snow and appropriate use of an ice axe and crampons when conditions require them
  • Develop your awareness of how weather, snow, ice and temperature influence mountain travel
  • Explore how to select suitable objectives, assess conditions and adapt plans throughout a mountain day
  • Understand the decisions involved in managing terrain, exposure, weather and changing conditions
  • Develop navigation skills during mountain journeys, particularly where snow cover or reduced visibility makes route-finding more challenging
  • Gain experience and understanding that will support your continued development as a winter mountain walker

Itinerary

* Please note: Itinerary is subject to weather and availability.

Day 1 – Discovering Eryri in winter
We'll discussing your previous winter experience, aspirations and the conditions forecast for the weekend. After reviewing equipment and winter considerations, we'll head into the mountains. Our route will provide an enjoyable introduction to the prevailing conditions.
We'll explore how to assess snow and ground conditions, move efficiently across different terrain and make good route decisions. Where suitable conditions exist, we'll also refresh ice axe and crampon technique.

Day 2 – A classic winter mountain adventure
We'll aim for a more substantial journey, making the most of the conditions and the group's developing confidence. Eryri offers a wonderful variety of objectives, from mountain ridges and high summits to dramatic cwms and quieter mountain routes.
We'll continue with the learning points from day one, with opportunities to develop your judgement and take a more active role in evaluating the route.

Day 3 – Exploring further
Our final day provides another opportunity to explore Eryri's winter mountains, visiting a different area or experiencing a contrasting style of mountain journey. Depending on weather and snow cover, the day may involve a summit journey, atmospheric ridge walk or exploration of a quieter mountain landscape.
We'll finish with a review of your experiences and suggestions for continuing your winter adventures.


Note: Winter mountain journeys are very dependent on weather and ground conditions. Routes will be selected to suit the group and conditions. Snow-covered summits and the use of ice axes and crampons cannot be guaranteed. Where winter conditions are limited the course will focus on rewarding journeys and relevant winter decision-making and preparation.

Experience Required

This course is designed for hillwalkers who already have some experience of winter mountain environments and want to develop that experience.
You should:
  • Have substantial summer mountain walking experience.
  • Have completed an introductory winter skills course or gained equivalent practical experience.
  • Be familiar with the basic use of an ice axe and crampons.
  • Be comfortable walking on steep and uneven mountain terrain.
  • Have a good level of fitness for sustained mountain days, potentially involving significant ascent and descent.
  • Be comfortable spending full days outdoors in cold, wet and potentially demanding conditions.
  • Have some basic mountain navigation and route-planning knowledge.


You don't need winter climbing or technical mountaineering experience.
For introductory winter courses, please see our Welsh or Scottish Winter Skills courses.

Available Course Dates

Start the booking process by selecting a course date, then adjust your details to suit your requirements.

Course Start Date
Duration
Cost*
Course Start Date
15th January, 2027
Duration
3 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£225.00
Residential:
£435.00
Course Start Date
5th February, 2027
Duration
3 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£225.00
Residential:
£435.00
Course Start Date
19th February, 2027
Duration
3 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£225.00
Residential:
£435.00
Course Start Date
26th March, 2027
Duration
3 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£225.00
Residential:
£435.00

*If your course is based at Plas Y Brenin, Capel Curig, residential prices include catering from the morning of your course start date and cover the duration of your course, accommodation starts on the night before your course commences to the morning of the last day of your booking.

Your Booking

Course Start Date
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