Scottish Winter Courses

Instructors

For the 2009 season, Ed Chard takes over from Dave Walsh as our Senior Course Director, as Dave will be enjoying his well-earned retirement. Ed holds the Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (MIC) and is on the committee of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). He has been a key personality on our Scottish Winter Courses an since 2002, is a superb instructor and great fun to be with on the hill. Ed has also led numerous expeditions for Jagged Globe in Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Europe. These include expeditions to Mera and Island Peak, Khumbu Climber, Stok Kangri, Huascaran and Alpamayo.... [read more]

Student to Instructor Ratios

Introductory Winter Mountaineering and Winter Mountaineering
The student to instructor ratios varies during the Introductory Winter Mountaineering and Winter Mountaineering courses, so that there are an optimum number of students per instructor for each activity being undertaken. This flexibility allows us to manage the courses more efficiently and gives you the chance to climb at the optimum ratio. Outline activity ratios are

Introductory skills - 1:6
Mountain travel, navigation and general skills - 1:4
General mountaineering (I/II) - 1:3
Graded climbing (II/III/IV/V) - 1:2

Introductory Long Weekend
As for the Introductory and Winter Mountaineering Courses, the ratios vary according to the level of instruction that is being undertaken. The ratios are as given above.

Snow and Ice Climbing
There are 2 students to one instructor for all climbing activities on the Snow and Ice Climbing and Northern Corries Courses. Exceptionally, the introductory skills day may be conducted at an increased ratio of four students to an instructor.

Venues and Travel

Course timings
The 5 day courses start on Sunday evening and finish on the evening of the following Friday. The 3 day weekend courses start on Friday evening and finish on the evening of the following Monday.

The Ballachulish Hotel

The Ballachulish Hotel

You are accommodated in the Ballachulish Hotel. The 4-star Ballachulish Hotel has everything you need to relax after an energetic day on the hill with en-suite rooms, comfortable bar, restaurant and free access to indoor leisure facilities, including swimming pool and sauna (see photo below). Our prices include full-board accommodation at the hotel on a twin-sharing basis. The single-room supplement is Ł25 per night (subject to availability). Additional nights can be booked at a cost per night of Ł45 (Mon-Thu) or Ł65 (Fri-Sun).

Swimming pool at the Isles of Glencoe

Travel arrangements
Course members should make their own travel arrangements to and from Ballachulish. The hotel is approximately 12 miles south of Fort William, which is well served by British Rail, including Motorail and a sleeper service. A regular coach service also operates from Glasgow and Inverness to Glencoe, Ballachulish and Fort William. Both Glasgow and Inverness can be reached by air, or train. Taxis and car hire are available locally. There is easy access by road (A82) from the south and north (1.5 - 2 hours to Ballachulish from Glasgow). Full travel instructions are included in the course Joining Instructions, which you receive upon booking.

Equipment

A detailed equipment list is sent to you with your Booking Confirmation. We provide all communal climbing equipment for each course. For all courses you need to provide your own clothing and some items of personal equipment including boots. If you do not have boots then these are available to hire (see table below).

We provide Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet and Harness, free of charge on these courses

Introductory Long Weekend
Introductory Winter Mountaineering
Winter Mountaineering

For those doing the Snow and Ice Climbing course, or Private Guiding, it is assumed that students are already well equipped. Students on these courses may hire the following equipment from us, if they have a shortfall.

Equipment hire prices

Climbing Harness		£1 per day
Ice axe		£4 per day / £20 per week
Ice hammer		£4 per day / £20 per week
Crampons		£4 per day / £20 per week
Helmet		£1 per day
Mountaineering boots		£5 per day / £25 per week

Course Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

All accommodation, on a twin sharing basis at the excellent Ballachulish Hotel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout.
Instructional fees based on the optimum student to instructor ratio for the activity being undertaken.
Road transport to fulfil the course programme.
All group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment.
Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets.

Exclusions

Transport to the course venue.
Mountaineering Insurance (available from Jagged Globe).
Personal climbing equipment and clothing (including boots, which can be hired locally at each course venue).

Insurance

Insurance cover for your course, and for cancellation charges should you be forced to cancel is available from us. Premiums for European Union residents are as follows

Up to 5 days - £12
Up to 10 days - £14
Up to 17 days - £20

Details of our insurance policy are here.

On-line booking

You can book any of our courses securely on-line by selecting your preferred dates and paying a deposit by credit/debit card of £150 per course. We will send you a confirmation of booking and comprehensive Joining Instructions, which includes travel information and a detailed equipment list...