Group of eight people in winter gear on a snowy terrain, wearing crampons and waving.

Hikers climbing a snowy mountain slope under a bright sun, with snow blowing in the wind.

Four people in winter gear standing in a snowy landscape with hills and blue sky in the background.

Group of people hiking up a snow-covered mountain path at sunrise

A group of people hiking on a snow-covered mountain under a cloudy sky, descending towards a valley with distant views of land and water.

Person celebrating at the summit of a snow-covered mountain with clear blue skies and distant snowy peaks in the background.

Snow-covered mountainous landscape with two people walking, dramatic clouds and sunlight.

West Highlands Winter Walking Holiday – Snow, Skills & Summit Days

Experience a winter adventure in the Scottish Highlands on this small-group guided walking holiday based in Fort William. With daily walks led by a qualified Winter Mountain Leader, you’ll explore snow-covered landscapes, learn essential winter skills, and enjoy memorable days out in some of Scotland’s best-known winter walking areas. No previous winter walking experience is needed, as you’ll be taught everything required, and essential kit such as crampons and ice axes are provided.

The Basics:

Duration: 5 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Transport:Car-Free Trip
Group Size: Maximum 8
Pickup Location: Glasgow or Fort William
Level: Tough (Winter) - no previous experience of winter walking is required, but you will need a good level of hill-walking fitness

Pricing & Accommodation: From £945 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.

Booking Calendar…

The perfect opportunity to experience a UK winter walking holiday - exploring the West Highlands with a qualified and experienced guide to lead the way and teach you their top tips…

Tempted to get out walking when the mountains are dusted with snow? Our 5-night winter walking experience is based in Fort William, surrounded by some of Scotland’s most famous mountain landscapes. You’ll join a small group (max 8) and a qualified Winter Mountain Leader to enjoy sociable days out exploring snowy ridges, Highland glens, and winter mountain scenery.

This isn’t a technical skills course – it’s a friendly and supportive winter walking trip that includes learning the basics you’ll need for a safe and enjoyable day on snow-covered hills. With plenty of fresh air, sociable evenings, and the chance to build your confidence using specialist kit like crampons and ice axes, it’s the ideal introduction to winter mountain days.

No previous winter walking experience is needed – just a decent level of hill-walking fitness and the ability to spend up to 8 hours outdoors in cold conditions.

You'll be staying in a comfortable hotel in Fort William with breakfast provided each morning. In the evenings we head out to local restaurants and pubs (at your own expense) to refuel and relax after a day in the hills.

A helmet, snow goggles, crampons and ice axe are provided for the duration of the experience but we do not provide or lend you crampon-compatible walking boots. You must bring your own or pre-arrange hire of them - please see the Compulsory Kit List section below.

Four hikers walking on a snow-covered mountain landscape under a cloudy sky.

Hikers in winter gear standing on snowy rocky terrain, overlooking snow-covered mountains and glaciers under a cloudy sky.

Four women in colorful winter hiking gear and sunglasses stand on snow and rocks in a mountainous landscape with cloudy sky.

Four hikers wearing winter gear and backpacks walking on snow-covered terrain in a mountainous landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

Arrive and check in from 15:00 at our hotel in Fort William.
Pick-up from Glasgow city centre (Midday) or Glasgow International Airport (12:15) is available.
The journey north through Glencoe is part of the adventure itself, with dramatic Highland scenery setting the tone for the week ahead.
Once everyone’s arrived, we’ll head out for a relaxed evening meal together at a local pub or restaurant (not included).
After a full cooked breakfast buffet, we’ll stop at a local shop for you to buy your own packed lunch.
Then it’s out onto the hills for a full day walk and introduction to winter walking – learning how to use crampons and an ice axe, how to assess terrain, and how to stay safe when conditions change. We’ll return to the hotel to relax before heading out for another sociable evening meal.
Each day begins with a hearty cooked breakfast before we head out walking. We’ll choose routes to suit the group and the weather – always with safety as the top priority. Your leader will guide you through snowy terrain, pointing out winter features and building your confidence on the move.
Possible routes may include:
Sgùrr an Iubhair & Stob Coire a’ Chairn – A great introduction to winter Munros with rewarding ridge walking and excellent views into Glencoe.
Meall a’ Bhuiridh – One of the more accessible winter summits in the area, often offering reliable snow conditions and big Highland panoramas.
Creag Dhubh – A shorter but rewarding winter day above Fort William with fantastic views towards Ben Nevis and Loch Linnhe.
The Mamores – Depending on conditions, we may explore sections of this impressive range with quieter routes and dramatic scenery.
Glen Nevis Lower Trails – Woodland and glen walks can provide ideal alternatives during more challenging weather conditions.
After each day out, we’ll return to Fort William to freshen up and enjoy a relaxed evening meal out together. You’re also welcome to self-cater if you prefer.
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a slower-paced final morning with a shorter local walk before beginning our journey south.
Depending on conditions and the group, this may include a gentle walk along the shores of Loch Linnhe, lower Glen Nevis trails, or one final scenic viewpoint in the Highlands before heading home.
Following the walk, we’ll begin our journey back to Glasgow. If you're using our return transport, we aim to be back between 16:00–17:00 (city centre or airport drop-off), depending on traffic and weather conditions.

A group of walkers in the snow in the Scottish Highlands — Winter Walking vs Winter Skills

You’ll see lots of companies offering “Winter Skills” courses – typically these are intensive 2–5 day programmes focusing on technical skills and training.
**This trip is different.**
We focus on sociable winter walking. You’ll head out each day for a proper day walk in the mountains, led by an experienced Winter Mountain Leader who will show you the essentials for safe travel in winter conditions. That includes how to fit crampons, basic ice axe techniques, understanding snow conditions, and making good choices in cold weather.
The goal is to enjoy the mountain environment in winter – learning as we go, walking together, and having fun in a safe, supportive group.

Group of hikers walking along a snowy trail in a vast, snow-covered mountain landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

Group of five hikers trekking through a snowy mountain landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

Four hikers wearing winter gear and backpacks walk along a snowy mountain trail with expansive snow-covered hills and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Five people dressed in winter gear, standing in a snowy landscape, with a large stone marker and snow-covered hills in the background.

Winter Walking Boot Advice

A person wearing a pink helmet, sunglasses, a pink jacket, and black pants climbing snowy mountain terrain with a mountain in the background.

A group of five hikers dressed in winter gear climbing snowy mountain terrain during a snowstorm, with snow-covered rocks and a cloudy sky in the background.

A group of hikers climbing a snowy mountain slope during a snowstorm, with snow-covered rocks and cloudy sky.

Two people in outdoor winter gear on snowy mountain terrain, one kneeling with a yellow tool, the other standing, with rocky mountain and snow in the background.

Essential Information

Meeting Time:
This will depend on whether you’re taking advantage of our Glasgow Pickup service (see below), or making your own way to Fort William.
If you’re travelling independently to Fort William, you can arrive at the accommodation any time from 15:00. Your Large Outdoors host will meet you at the accommodation when they arrive with the group from Glasgow.
Dinner will be booked around 7-8pm, so if you intend to arrive later than this please ensure you have something to eat on the way.
Accommodation Address - if making your own way to Aviemore:
Premier Inn Fort William
Loch Iall,
An Airds Way,
Fort William
PH33 6AN
Pickups (Day 1):
When booking you can let us know which of the two Pickup locations below you’d like to be collected from.
Glasgow City Centre (Hotel) Midday
Ibis Styles Glasgow Central, 116 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 7DN. Please note: a discount code for this hotel is available if you plan to stay in Glasgow the night before/after the trip - details will be shown on your booking confirmation email.
Glasgow International Airport 12:15
Pick-up & Drop-off area located outside the main terminal building in Car Park 2.
Returning to Glasgow (Day 6):
If you are taking advantage of our Pickup service, we will also return you to Glasgow on the final day. We aim to be back in Glasgow between 3-5pm and can drop you back in the city centre or at the airport. Please book onward travel accordingly, to allow for flexibility with the return time to the city centre or airport - we (sadly!) can’t control the traffic.
Accommodation Address:
Premier Inn Fort William
Loch Iall,
An Airds Way,
Fort William
PH33 6AN
Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Sole Occupancy Double Room (en-suite) one person in their own private room.
Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a twin room with two single beds, these rooms are en-suite.
Twin Rooms - with single beds - which sleep up to two participants booking together again en-suite.
Double Rooms - one double bed for two participants booking together again these rooms are en-suite.
Please see our Winter Walking Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
A helmet, snow goggles, crampons and ice axe are provided for the duration of the experience but we DO NOT provide or lend you suitable winter and crampon-compatible - known as B-rated - walking boots.
You must bring your own B-rated boots or pre-arrange hire of them, which is available from a number of outdoor kit specialists.
We suggest hiring from Tiso Aviemore Outdoor Experience as we can pop over there with you when we arrive in Aviemore. Please ensure you book any hire items for collection on Day 1 of the trip and return on Day 6 of the trip!
You can also hire B-rated boots online from OutdoorHire for delivery to your home ahead of the trip. You’ll receive a 10% discount code for boot hire from OutdoorHire when booking on this trip.
See John’s video below for more information about B-rated boots.
Included:
- Pickup from and return back to Glasgow - see the Meeting Location & Time section above.
- Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door.
- 5 nights’ hotel accommodation.
- Cooked breakfast buffet each morning.
- A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and logistics for your experience.
- Guided walks on 5 days (Days 2-6).
- Training in the use of crampons and ice axe, and skills for walking safely and confidently in mountain environments in the winter.
- Helmet, snow goggles, crampons and ice axe for the duration of the experience.
- Bedding and a towel - but don’t forget your own toiletries.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- B-rated boots - you must bring your own or pre-arrange hire - see the Compulsory Kit List section above.
- Packed lunches - we will have the chance to visit a supermarket or bakery each morning.
- Dinner each evening - we’ll have a table booked at the accommodation to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
- Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
- Alcoholic drinks - there is a bar on site so please don’t bring your own drinks.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

Walkers in the Scottish Mountains in the snow — Fort William & the West Highlands in Winter

Fort William sits beneath some of the UK’s most dramatic mountains, making it one of the best bases for winter walking in Scotland. With Glencoe, the Mamores, Ben Nevis and the surrounding Highland glens all within easy reach, the area offers huge variety for winter days out.
In winter, the mountains here take on a completely different character. Snow-covered ridges, frozen burns, crisp mornings and changing weather create a real sense of adventure, while lower glens and forest trails provide quieter alternatives when conditions higher up become more challenging.
The West Highlands are known for their rugged scenery and ever-changing weather, making this an ideal place to experience winter walking with the support of an experienced guide. Whether you're kicking steps through fresh snow for the first time or learning how to move confidently in crampons, the area provides an unforgettable setting for winter days in the mountains.

Booking Calendar!

Booking FAQ’s

Can I book with a deposit?

Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.