Two Clients Exploring a Snow Hole After a Snowholing course.
Two People Digging A Snowhole
Beautiful Mountain View After Waking Up In A Snow Hole.
Join us in Torridon, one of the most remote areas of the UK, for a unique and exciting adventure. Snowholing is the incredible experience of heading up into the mountains in winter to create and sleep in a snow hole. A snow hole is an emergency style shelter, dug into deep snow, creating a protective cave within the snow. This gives some protection from the wind, and it helps to trap warmth due to the insulating effect of the snow. Although challenging, it is a wilderness experience like no other. Our snowholing courses take place over three days and are located in the North West Highlands of Scotland. On some of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountains in the UK.
View the full itinerary for this three day course.
Our snowholing courses are offered on a private instructional basis. This means your instructor can concentrate on making sure the course is matched to your precise needs and level of experience. Every individual will have different aims and aspirations for their snowholing adventure. By offering this course only on a private basis, we can make sure we tailor this course to you.
To find out more see our ratios and pricing information
Anyone who considers themself physically fit and able and looking for an overnight wilderness experience like no other! Do keep in mind that to get to the snowhole location, you will need to be able to walk up a mountain in Scotland. Therefore, some experience of hillwalking is essential. Additionally, this will be in winter conditions, therefore you will need some experience of using crampons and an ice axe in a winter walking context. Finally, building a snow hole is demanding in itself. Remember, this can be a harsh and cold environment, so a good level of determination is also needed to really enjoy this experience. If you have never used an ice axe and crampons before, then you can book onto one of our Winter Mountain Skills courses. This will give you all the experience you will need to join us on a snowholing adventure.
The correct conditions are essential for snow holing. In the right conditions it is a fantastic and unique way of exploring the mountains. In the wrong conditions it is both dangerous and very unenjoyable. Snowholing is very achievable in Torridon in the winter. However, if conditions are unsafe for sleeping in the snowhole, we will find the best alternative. This may be creating a snowhole but heading back down afterwards to sleep in the comfort of a bed. It may be camping (in which case tents will be provided). The exact alternative will be dependent on the reasons why the snowhole was unachievable. However, we will still spend two full and incredible days out exploring the exquisite mountains that Torridon is so famous for.
All our snowholing courses take place in and around the Torridon mountains. The exact location will depend on the weather and snow conditions during the course. However, this entire area is renowned for its peaceful, mountaineering excellence. It is paradise for mountaineers and photographers alike. The remoteness of this area is extreme, with one of the lowest population densities in the whole of Europe. Despite it being home to some of the most remarkable mountains in the UK, this is not an area full of tourist. In fact, on many of our snowholing expeditions, you are unlikely to see anyone else at all! It truly is the last great wilderness left in the UK.
Our snowholing courses are offered over three days. However, we can also provide this on a bespoke basis. Therefore, if you wish to complete this course in more or less days do just get in contact. Below is an example of our three day course, do note, the exact itinerary will be dependent on the weather conditions, snow conditions and the individual group aims and ambitions.
Today we will head out into the mountains with the aim of exploring and becoming familiar with your kit and equipment. Before we start, we will look at all the kit you have brought with you for the snowholing expedition. This will give us the opportunity to answer any questions you have and be certain you have all the appropriate items you need to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
Once our kit check is complete, we will get out on one of the incredible mountains within the Torridon area. This will give you plenty of opportunity to familiarise yourself with your ice axe and crampons and your general winter kit. The more comfortable and well practiced you are, the smoother the snowholing expedition will be. You will also have a practice with the tools we will use to build the snow holes, including the snow shovel and snow saw. After a full day of instruction and practice, we will head down for a good rest before the real adventure begins tomorrow.
Today we will head back into the mountains, this time we will go straight to our snowholing site. The location of this will vary hugely depending on the weather and snow, it could be a short or long walk in. Once there, the construction will begin. Creating a snow hole is not a quick process, expect it to take around 5 hours to complete. Once you have finished building the snow hole, it will be time to get organised for spending the night in it! Once all the kit is arranged, we will help you prepare a simple, hot dinner, then get settled in for the long night ahead.
The plan for day three can be very much tailored to you and the expected weather. For some clients this may mean getting up, repacking (ensuring we leave nothing behind) and heading straight back down. For others, you might like to spend the day going on a walk or climb before heading out. We can be completely flexible to make sure you get the most out of this adventure.
In order to provide the highest level of experience and safety we maintain low ratios for all our snowholing courses. We will take a maximum of two people per guide on this adventure.
| Ratio | Price |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | £1070 |
| 1:2 | £570 per person |
| 1:3 | £480 per person |
| 1:4 | £360 per person |
Our snowholing courses require a good level of fitness. You need to be able to walk into the snowholing site, which may be located high up in the mountains. Additionally, you need to construct your snowhole, this is often 5 hours of demanding exercise. Your instructor will teach you the skills needed to do this, but you will need to physically help dig and construct the snow hole.
You will need your normal winter walking kit including crampon compatible boots, waterproofs (jacket and trousers), food and warm clothing. In addition you will need your overnight equipment, including sleeping bag and thermarest/sleeping mat. Technical kit, including crampons, ice axe, stove and tent (when needed) is provided where required. A full and comprehensive kit list will be sent to you when you book.
