Ice Climbing | Atlas Mountaineering

Ice Climbing

Ice Climbing in Scotland

Scotland is home to unique modern ice climbing. The freeze-thaw cycles, high latitude, and rugged mountains create frozen faces, intricate gullies, and icefalls found nowhere else in the UK. From Ben Nevis to the hidden corries of the Highlands, winter turns Scotland into a world-class arena for ice climbing.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned climber chasing classic test pieces, Atlas Mountaineering offers guided climbs and courses to suit your experience and ambitions.

Qualified & experienced instructors
Low guiding ratio of 1:2 for safety and personal coaching
Fully insured and risk-assessed
All technical equipment provided
Photos & videos of your day included

Winter climbing requires flexibility, local knowledge, and expert decision making - and that’s exactly what we bring to every trip.

Private Guiding

Enjoy a completely bespoke experience with the flexibility to choose your routes. We’ll help you plan around conditions, weather, and your personal goals.

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Introduction to Ice Climbing

New to ice climbing? We’ll teach you everything you need to know, from swinging your ice axe for the first time to climbing vertical frozen walls. No prior experience is necessary, just a good level of fitness and a willingness to dig deep!

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Classic Ice Climbs

Our guides will help you safely climb some of the most famous winter routes in the UK:

Point Five Gully - Ben Nevis’ legendary ice climb
The Wand - Creag Meagaidh’s showpiece route
Quartzvein Scoop - Beinn Udlaidh’s icy gem
And other ephemeral climbs that appear when conditions align.

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Skills Development

Looking to improve your winter climbing technique?

Our guides can teach you to:

Place solid winter protection
Build secure belays in icy terrain
Make smart decisions about routes and conditions
Refine footwork and tool placement for technical climbs

Perfect for climbers who want to become more independent and confident in winter.

Ready to Start Your Ice Climbing Journey?

Book your ice climbing adventure today and get ready to experience the thrill of Scotland in winter. We’ll make sure it’s a day you’ll never forget.

Winter season: Typically December to late March/early April
Prices from £355 per day

Book now to secure your dates - winter fills up fast!

Click to open the Winter Kit List

Join us for ice climbing in Norway

If you’re dreaming of climbing big fat blue ice, why not join me for a week in Norway?

Every March I run a group trip to Rjukan where we climb frozen waterfalls, relax in saunas and scoff at the price of beer.

Rjukan is an amazing place to improve at ice climbing - there’s really something for everyone from accessible single pitch ice to big adventurous multi pitch routes at all grades.

The 2026 trip runs 5th - 12th March.

Get in touch for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous climbing experience?

We cater to ALL experience levels, so you don’t need to be an experienced climber. We love teaching beginners as well as helping more experienced climbers progress their skills. A reasonable level of fitness always helps on the walk-in.

How long are the days?

Usually at least seven hours.

When is the best time of year for rock climbing in Scotland?

You can climb all year in Scotland. Winter climbing is generally from November to March and after that we’re into the summer season. If you’re interested in Rock Climbing or a Cuillin Traverse, please check out our separate pages for details about these activities.

What gear do I need to bring?

We can provide all climbing equipment. Please check our kit list for more information on what you should bring.

Atlas Mountaineering Talks

Client Testimonial

What can I say! Connor answered an SOS after we were let down by someone else. From the off, the communications were first class- prompt replies, very helpful responses and useful information prior to our holiday. We had Josh, James and Connor himself and we were able to climb, explore and abseil 6 of the Skye Cuillins. The team were very knowledgeable, skilled and professional and we felt safe 100% of the time. We will definitely be booking with Connor again and would highly recommend him to anyone wanting to explore Skye.

Kate

July 22, 2022, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️