Mountain Innovations

Winter Mountaineering

The unrivalled rewards and unique challenges of Scotland's winter mountains make this season, for many, the best of all. For some of us the first snow falls of winter send a shiver of excitement down the backbone. The Cairngorms, protected from Gulf Stream warmth, are universally recognized as providing our most consistent snow and ice conditions. They're Britain's highest mountain range, Scotland's high arctic and home to our most permanent snow beds. For some of their time they may be under brilliant blue skies, at other times immersed in freezing hill fog. Any protrusion above the snow becomes caked in beautiful rime ice crystals, all marking the air flow, striking in a windward direction. In the right conditions Brocken Spectres develop - your own suspended shadow surrounded by a circular rainbow following your every move. The soft winter light interacting with wind scoured, scallop shapes expose the snows infinite layers.

The winter mountains aren't for the faint hearted but to experience them in their full winter garb is to see them at their finest. So come and join us to enjoy this winter. Winter courses from �234 per person - fully inclusive of accommodation, full board, instruction and transport during the course.

Ski Mountaineering

This is for those who enjoy skiing but yearn to escape the crowds and paraphernalia of traditional Alpine skiing. It's a course that combines the disciplines of both mountaineering and skiing to produce what many may say is the ultimate in winter mountain travel. This course is a passport to virgin slopes and a world of winter wonderland mountain wildernesses!

The course takes place in the Cairngorms, Britain's high arctic, our highest mountain range and home to our most permanent snow beds. With their high rolling plateau the Cairngorms are the ideal venue. The aim of the course after the first two days of winter skills refreshment and off piste coaching, is to embark on some of the classic tours these mountains have to offer.

Please call Andy or Rebecca for 2011 prices.

Mountain Biking

The Cairngorms National Park provides miles of tracks suitable for all levels of mountain biking. Put the situation together with exemplary, gold-rated accommodation at Fraoch Lodge and you have an unbeatable package; with or without guiding/instruction. Call for further details or hike and bike packages.

Ice Climbing

This course is ideally suited to the keen winter hillwalker who aspires to incorporate a graded winter route into his/her mountain day. The course provides all the necessary skills and techniques for safe and efficient movement on steep graded terrain. There may also be the opportunity to do some leading. You should have a good level of fitness along with both hillwalking and scrambling experience. 5 day courses - �734 per person, full package including all accommodation, catering, instruction and transport.

Hillwalking

HILLWALKING - OUR SPECIALITY
Andrew's knowledge of the mountain environment is unrivalled. From the geology and colossal forces that have shaped the Highlands; to the wildlife and conservation issues of our times, you're able to experience Scotland's most dramatic and stunning landscapes to the full.

"Thank you very much for another splendid Mountain Innovations Holiday. There were excellent excursions, and we very much appreciated all the trouble you took over Matthew's diet. On the train home, I sat wondering why your holidays are so good. A main factor, of course, is that you offer a complete package - transport to and from airport or railway station, transport on the walking days, accommodation, all meals and packed lunches (with the ability to provide very creatively for special diets), interesting walks showing the best features of the country (and not just guided walks, but lots of information on the geology, landscape, weather, flora and fauna etc). This is very commendable but not sufficient to explain everything. I think that the key factors are that you both work very hard and you are both very good at what you do!" Mick Wansborough.

Weekends from approx �235 to week long trips on the west coast at �800. All prices fully inclusive of accommodation, full board, transport and guiding.