Mountaineering — Aviemore

Mountaineering — Aviemore

Your first real mountaineering trip. Aviemore in winter. Crampons, ridges, and summits that mean something.

Feb 18–22, 2027 · Aviemore, Scotland

Mountaineering — Aviemore — photo 1
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About this trip

A straight note from Freddie before you book: good mountaineering instructors for this level of ground aren't easy to find, and they don't come cheap. We've held four spaces for this course, and we need at least two of them booked by early October to confirm it's happening — that's only fair to the people we're relying on to run it. If you already know this is the one for you, book early. That's what keeps it on the table.

Hillwalking and mountaineering aren't different versions of the same day out — they're a different relationship with the mountain. Ropework, anchors, movement on properly steep ground: this is where a walk becomes an objective, and where most people's Alpine and greater-range ambitions start. If you've already got the winter basics and you're wondering what's next, this is what's next.

Same base as Winter Skills: Aviemore, the closest thing Scotland has to an Alpine village, with the pub scene and the après-adventure crowd to match. Same three days, same dates, same accommodation — different terrain, different group, and a step up in what you're being taught.

If Winter Skills is for people building a solid technical foundation, Mountaineering is for those who've already got it and want to go further — ropework, steeper ground, and terrain that starts to feel like proper mountaineering.

Highlights

  • Three full days on Scottish winter terrain in Aviemore with qualified instructors
  • The same skills used on bigger Scottish rounds, Alpine seasons, and further-flung ranges — applied to steeper ground
  • Day one runs 1:4 to assess and build; days two and three step up to 1:2 for the terrain this level needs
  • Ropework, anchors, and movement technique on steeper ground
  • Based in Aviemore — the closest thing Scotland has to an Alpine village, pubs and all
  • Just four spaces — book early, this one needs numbers confirmed by early October to run

Itinerary

Travel to Aviemore. Check into our rooms at Aviemore Youth Hostel. Kit check with your instructor. Evening briefing — the plan for the three days, what to expect, group introductions.

What's included

  • Three days of instruction
  • Accommodation in our rooms at Aviemore Youth Hostel
  • Breakfast and lunch on all activity days (self-prepared — we stock up on sandwich ingredients as a group)
  • A pair of gloves to keep
  • Transport to and from the mountain each day
  • Use of technical kit — helmet, harness, ice axe and crampons

Not included

  • Travel to Aviemore
  • Winter boots — hire locally from Ellis Brigham in Aviemore. Book early, sizes and stock go fast in peak season
  • Evening meals
  • Personal travel insurance — required
New to winter mountains? — photo 1
New to winter mountains? — photo 2

Also available this weekend

New to winter mountains?

Ice axe and crampon technique — the foundation skills for Scottish winter. Same base, same dates, and the natural starting point before Mountaineering.

£579early bird · £640 after 3 Oct

6 spaces · £200 deposit on booking

View Winter Skills →

Good to know

  • £745 per person — or £669 if you book by 3rd October. £200 deposit to hold your place, balance due 60 days before.
  • Maximum 4 people — fixed by the instructor ratio (1:4 on day one, 1:2 for days two and three). We need at least 2 people booked in by early October to confirm this course is running.
  • Required personal kit: waterproof mountain boots (hire from Ellis Brigham in Aviemore — book early), full waterproof layers. Ice axe, crampons, helmet and harness are provided. Kit list sent on booking.

Physical requirements

Good general fitness. Comfortable walking for a full day in challenging conditions. No winter mountaineering experience required. Some hillwalking background is helpful.

Meeting point

Aviemore Youth Hostel, Aviemore. Full joining instructions sent on booking.

A note from Freddie

The moment you stand on a Scottish summit in winter, with crampons on and an ice axe in hand, and look back down the route you've just climbed — it feels genuinely different from a summer day in the hills. That moment is what this trip is for. It's the start of something. — Freddie, Founder of Jove Club

Freddie, Founder of Jove Club

Freddie Sankey

Founder, Jove Club

Price per person

£745

Reserve with £200 deposit (non-refundable) · balance due 60 days before

Early bird — £669

Book and pay deposit before 3 October 2027

Dates

Feb 18–22, 2027

Duration

4 days

Difficulty

Advanced

Location

AVIEMORE

Book your place

No pitch, no pressure — the trips speak for themselves.

Have a question? Get in touch →Join our WhatsApp group

Advance notice on new trips and events — and the best place to meet the people you'll be going with.

Led by qualified and vetted outdoor leaders
Small groups — never crowded
Full pre-trip support and kit guidance
Cancel or defer up to 60 days before

£745

Early bird: £669

Book your place

Google Reviews

What they said
when they got home.

5.0· 26 reviews on Google

After taking on the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club I can highly recommend Freddie and his team! Having someone you can trust to guide you through a challenge like this is so incredibly valuable (especially when the Welsh weather isn't on your side). The team of Mountain Leaders and support team that Jove Club put together were fantastic. Even as the weather turned savage they kept spirits high. It was great to be with like-minded individuals for the weekend. Thank you team Jove 🏔

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Michelle Clarke

6 days ago

I was nervous about taking on the Welsh 3000s challenge. I was right to be nervous. It turned out to be the most incredible experience I've ever had! Principally because of the supreme organisation of Freddie, Fran and the Jove Club, who instructed, supported, encouraged, fed, guided and protected me for the entire gruelling 51km, up and down the Welsh peaks in gale force winds, horizontal rain, no visibility and the dark. I loved every minute of it. I could not have completed this as a group of friends on our own. Freddie's skilled navigation (in the dark), mountain expertise, and clear leadership ability made this terrifyingly enjoyable. What hurts most are my cheeks from smiling for 21hrs. I didn't realise I could complete this challenge. What the Jove Club has showed me is I'm actually made of stronger stuff than I thought. Drying out my boots for next year!

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Willow Dawes

6 days ago

I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club and absolutely loved it!! Freddie and the team organised everything so well and it was brilliant to be amongst friendly, adventurous people looking to push their limits. I really enjoyed doing something genuinely testing, with the weather, distance and elevation all playing their parts, and at the same time being part of a really supportive group with Jove giving a real sense of confidence and positivity. Jove Club offers loads of different activities and adventures, I'll definitely be signing up for another one soon. Thanks Freddie, Fran, the Mountain Leaders and all those on the challenge 🏔

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James Morgan

6 days ago

I had the best time on the Jove weekend trip to the Peaks. Got there and they helped set up my new tent — very friendly from the off. Zero judgement across the weekend for anything. It was about learning the skills needed to thrive outdoors, without any of the judgement you get with some providers. It gave me my confidence back outdoors, and I've booked onto my next trip already.

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Leah Brunskill

2 weeks ago

Jove are fantastic. I've been going to their weekly strength sessions at Battersea park for a couple of months now and I've felt my confidence and strength for mountaineering and trail running come on in leaps and bounds. Their trips are incredibly good fun and genuinely valuable. Can't recommend highly enough — wish I'd joined sooner!

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Alex White

3 weeks ago

Enjoyed a wonderful weekend of hiking, camping, trail running, navigation & fitness sessions (and some cracking pubs, pie & pizzas!) in the Peak District with a group of wonderful people. We all had different levels of previous outdoor experience & all were catered for. Thanks to Freddie & the Jove club team for leading us safely & challenging us.

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Claire

3 weeks ago

I joined a Jove Weekender Trip to the Peak District for the weekend and had an amazing time! Freddie & the team were very welcoming and knowledgeable and it really gave me confidence to try and do more hiking in the future! I'll definitely be joining for some of the London sessions and hopefully a future trip. Would thoroughly recommend!!

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Bryony Kirby

3 weeks ago

Joined Jove Club for an amazing trip to the Cairngorms to learn winter mountaineering skills! Small group of adventurous people, everyone was super supportive and keen to learn. Perfect weekend spent outdoors!

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Lizzie

2 months ago

Huge shout out to Freddie for sorting out the winter skills training in the Cairngorms. We had an extremely knowledgeable instructor who took us through everything we needed to know about Scottish winter! I had a great weekend away and the group really topped it off as a stand out trip. Would also highly recommend the weekly social bouldering sessions in London.

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Tom Roberts

2 months ago

I could not recommend Jove Club enough for anyone who wants to get outside, explore the country and test their physical and mental limits. I've done things in the past year I would never have done myself, with an amazing group of driven, friendly and kind people — and it's been an absolute blast.

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Richard Scothern

4 months ago

I had such a great time on the Peak District climbing trip! Having joined for their London bouldering sessions for a couple of months, it was great to put my new skills to use outside. We had an amazing instructor who made me feel so at ease. The group was great fun — everybody was so positive and supportive of each other. Can't wait to join more trips next year!

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Emily Elizabeth

4 months ago

I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club in July and it was unreal. Freddie is a fantastic leader — he makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Looking forward to my next Jove Club adventure!

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Emily

8 months ago

Before Jove, I never really thought of myself as a runner. But within weeks of joining, I was running 5Ks, then 10Ks. My first proper test was our Brecon trek — two days, 35km, 1,300m of elevation. It was brutal, but it was also the moment I realised how much the people around you shape the experience. Jove isn't just about getting fitter — it's about pushing your limits in a way that actually feels fun.

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Vevek Shah

8 months ago

I love Jove Club. On paper, I had everything I needed to be happy, but it wasn't until I joined Jove that I realised something was missing — adventure! It's so easy in London to get stuck in a rut. Jove gets me out of the house with like-minded people and gives me things I didn't even realise I was missing. Join, you won't regret it.

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Christopher Sykes-Popham

1 year ago

I went on the Peak District Climbing adventure not knowing any of the group but felt immediately welcomed by everyone. The group was very supportive given my lack of any prior climbing experience and definitely pushed my limits. The trip itself was extremely well organised — everything was covered from food and instructors to what gear to bring. Immediately came home and booked myself on another adventure!

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Olly

1 year ago

I had an absolutely incredible experience on a walking adventure weekend with Jove Club! From start to finish, everything was brilliantly organised. Freddie's enthusiasm and leadership created such a positive, welcoming atmosphere — making the weekend about more than just the hike. If you're looking for a well-organised, exciting outdoor experience with great company, I can't recommend Jove Club enough.

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Henry Lort-Jones

1 year ago

Can't express enough how glad I am that Freddie has created Jove Club! The recent Brecon trip was epic — a tough challenge that we all pushed through. In only a couple of months I've made significant strides towards my fitness goals. The regular adventure challenges add purpose to the training in London and the people in the club are top quality.

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Harry Webb

1 year ago

The Peak District climbing weekend was meticulously planned by Freddie and Jove Club. I felt a massive sense of achievement on the Sunday afternoon walking off the crag. If you are considering a weekend away with like minded people to push yourself beyond your comfort zone then I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jove Club.

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Connor Herrington

1 year ago

The mix of classes — in particular the run and fitness sessions outdoors — is absolutely amazing and unlike anything else I've found in London. The sessions are inclusive of mixed ability but with enough challenge for everyone. Really look forward to putting my fitness to the test during one of the trail runs and adventure trips!

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Francesca Richards

1 year ago

Joining Jove is the best thing I've done for my fitness and health this year. Anyone looking to get fit, get outdoors and meet great people — this is where it's at. In just a few months I've met some great people, built confidence, and lost 3kg whilst getting stronger and running faster.

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Joseph McEachron

1 year ago

Jove is the missing piece of London life. Such a welcoming and friendly club with a fantastic range of activities. Everything geared towards adventure trips is such a great way to train and get fit with a proper functional goal. The Peak District climbing weekend was fantastically well organised — can't wait to do another.

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Tom Frew

1 year ago

I've had a great time with Jove — it's got a great mix of challenging and fun activities. The Peak District climbing trip was super well organised, great instruction provided, and a great way to get out of London for a weekend and learn some new skills.

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Vito Tomasi

1 year ago

The Jove Club climbing weekend in the Peak District was a fantastic experience, filled with great routes and even better company. Everyone from beginners to seasoned climbers felt included and challenged. A brilliantly run weekend that captured the spirit of adventure.

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John Cain

1 year ago

Great sessions which are well planned and adaptable to fitness levels. Welcoming atmosphere at meets and easy to use site for booking.

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Calvin Freese

1 year ago

I have attended fitness and climb sessions and would really recommend Jove. Accessible and tailored to your fitness but with plenty of challenge and very social!

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sioned press

1 year ago

Attended a session last week — great and welcoming atmosphere, the PT was very knowledgeable and provided alternative exercises. Will be back!

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Elin Wilde

1 year ago