4.8

Summit Ben Nevis and Learn Winter Mountain Skills

Head to Scotland to swot up on essential mountain skills before climbing to 1345m on the UK's highest mountain

What's Included?

  • Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with expert, local, certified mountain guides
  • Hotel2 nights in a local hotel or guesthouse
  • Meals2 breakfasts at your hotel or guesthouse
  • EquipmentAll the technical equipment to make a succesful ascent, including crampon-compatible boots
  • Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people

From…excluding flights

Highlights

  • Learn how to survive in some of the harshest conditions the United Kingdom can throw at you

  • Stand on top of the UK's highest mountain... the view. The feeling of success. Did we mention the view?

  • Stay in central Fort William, the adventure capital of the wild Scottish Highlands

  • Featured by The Independent as one of 'the best walking holidays in Scotland'

Itinerary

    Day 1

    Plan and prepare

    Hotel
    Twin or triple share
    Show Day 1 detail

    Your Scottish winter adventure begins. Meet your guide in Fort William and grab any kit you need for the next few days on the hill. Once you’re done, it’s off to your accommodation. All that’s left to do now is settle in, meet your fellow adventurers, grab some dinner and get ready for the challenging days ahead.

    Day 2

    Winter skills training in Lochaber

    Hiking
    6hrs · 12km · 700m up · 700m down
    Hotel
    Twin or triple share
    Breakfast included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Over the course of today, your expert mountain guide will teach you how to survive in winter conditions and how to move safely over some of the UK’s most challenging terrain using an ice axe and crampons. Exactly where you go and what you do today will depend on the weather and snow conditions, but it’s a great chance to learn new skills in some truly awesome settings. You’ll spend about six hours refining your abilities, and then it’s back down to Fort William for a hearty dinner and the chance to prepare your kit for the big one – summiting Ben Nevis.

    Day 3

    Ascend Ben Nevis (1345m)

    Hiking
    8hrs · 20km · 1345m up · 1345m down
    Breakfast included
    Show Day 3 detail

    Approach Ben Nevis early and get a tantalising first glimpse of the challenge ahead. Boot up and begin the ascent. It’s a tough climb, but you’ll take regular breaks to catch your breath and enjoy the view. The route taken will depend on weather conditions and the group's ability: there are various options, including the knife-edge CMD arête, but the final decision will be taken by your guide. After a celebratory summit photo, it’s time to head back down for a well-earned wee dram, before making your way home.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
Inverness Airport (INV)
Pick up
Ellis Brigham Store, Fort William
17:00 on Day 1
Drop off
Fort William
17:30 on Day 3

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

The tour starts at the Ellis Brigham Store in Fort William at 17:00 on Day 1. You can check into the hotel any time from 15:00 (although luggage storage is available from 12:00) and then make your way to the Ellis Brigham Store to meet your guide at 17:00. The Ellis Brigham Store, the train station, the bus stop, and the hotel are all only a few minutes walk from one another.

On Day 3, your host will drop you off at the train station, your accommodation or the car park in Fort William (depending on your preference).

Travel options

Fort William is very accessible, regardless of where you are travelling from – the area is well-serviced with excellent rail and road links. Glasgow and Inverness airports are 98 and 70 miles away respectively. International and domestic flights into Glasgow are available throughout the year, with regular flights to and from both London Heathrow and London Gatwick. From Glasgow, regular buses depart from Buchanan Bus Station and reach Fort William in just over three hours (service operated by Scottish Citylink). Alternatively, if you travel via Inverness, the bus journey takess just over two hours, and is also operated by Citylink.

Trip level explained

Level 5

Challenging

This trip has been rated as challenging as you will be outdoors for up to eight hours on each day in a cold, mountainous environment moving over challenging terrain. You should be comfortable on your feet on steep terrain and have experience in the hills. The weather conditions could be windy, cold and snowy which adds another challenge to the experience. Your expert mountain guide will keep you safe and teach you how to survive in these winter conditions and how to move over some of the UK’s most challenging terrain using crampons and an ice axe.

Challenging trips generally require committing to some training and preparation in the weeks building up to your trip. You should be comfortable with walking up to eight hours per day on hilly, uneven terrain for two back to back days. Accompanying cardio, strength and flexibility training will help you be in the best shape possible to enjoy this trip.

Climate Factors To Consider

This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely cold and consistently below freezing (0C/32F) during the times of year when this trip operates. Temperatures at night will likely be even colder. Personal care should be taken to keep as warm as possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration and nutrition. Very cold temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at warmer temperatures. In severe cold conditions people may experience symptoms associated with Exposure, Frostbite and Hypothermia (opens in new tab). Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with cold temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

  • Learn how to survive in winter conditions, and how to use an ice axe and crampons
  • Guided hike to summit Ben Nevis

  • Expert, local, and certified mountain guides

  • 2 nights in a hotel in Fort William

  • 2 typical Scottish buffet breakfasts

  • All technical equipment
  • Crampon-friendly boots

Where You'll Stay

Private room upgrades are not available on this trip due to the nature of the accommodation.

Fort William

Stay

Fort William

You'll be staying in a small hotel or local guesthouse in Fort William such as The Nevis Bank Inn, a modern hotel on the banks of the River Nevis in the centre of Fort William, which is renowned locally for its restaurant. As this part of the Highlands can be very busy, the exact accommodation will be confirmed closer to the time of departure. Rooms are allocated on a twin-share basis wherever possible, but on occasion you may be in a triple-share, depending on availability and the group split.

What You'll Eat

For breakfast, expect a typical Scottish buffet. For lunch, you'll be able to buy your own: there are three supermarkets and two delis locally, and plenty of time to do this on the first evening. The hotel also offers a packed lunch on request, but w…

Food and Dietary info

For breakfast, expect a typical Scottish buffet. For lunch, you'll be able to buy your own: there are three supermarkets and two delis locally, and plenty of time to do this on the first evening. The hotel also offers a packed lunch on request, but we recommend buying some extra snacks. For dinner, you'll be in the town where your group can find a good cosy pub. Most dietary requirements can be accomodated, including vegetarian and vegan diets.

Optional Extras

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation

Pre/post trip accommodation in Fort William (Single) From:
…/per night
Pre/post trip accommodation in Fort William (Twin/Double) From:
…/per night
Pre/Post Accommodation in Fort William - Hogmanay Special (Single) From:
…/per night
Pre/Post Accommodation in Fort William - Hogmanay Special (Twin/Double) From:
…/per night

Upgrades

For solo travellers wanting their own space, it is possible to request a private room upgrade. Prices start from £45 per person per night, but can be as high as £200 for last-minute requests. The exact price will be confirmed on request.

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Ratings & Reviews

4.8114 reviews
  • 1 star (0)

Category rating

Food
5.0
Guides & crew
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Itinerary
5.0

Latest Reviews

  • Katrina J.

    The entire trip was amazing from start to finish! We switched our summit day to Saturday (due to weather forecast) and I think actually preferred this. On the Sunday, due to weather, we were given options and I was grateful for this as I got to conquer a personal fear of heights and went rock climbing whilst others did winter skills in the mountains. (Thank you) The organisation was fantastic with plenty of clear instructions & guidance on how to prepare and what to expect. Aidan & Duncan were fantastic guides throughout the weekend. I was a solo traveller and I was fortunate with the group I hiked with. They were all fantastic , supportive people and made the weekend full of fun & laughs! The hotel we were stayed in was lovely (Lime tree) Highly recommend the trip and the company to use!

  • Ocean C.

    We absolutely loved learning about the winter skills. Everything was very easy and well organised, from the hotel to the kit rental. Communication was very clear and our two guides, Lizzie and Craig, were just amazing - better than we could have imagined. They answered every question and made the days even more fun. We feel like we have gained important experience and knowledge that we can take forward on our other adventures.

  • Berna I.

    This was all very well thought out and planned, from the hotel stay to the daily activities. On the first day I really loved that the day was so fun, thanks to Craig and Lizzie (they were so amazing and knowledgeable) we learned essential skill which made me feel safe on the big hike the following day. We got lucky and had nice weather however I would say Scottish weather is very unpredictable so definitely have everything from the kitlist as it can vary depending on the time of your visit. I was probably the most inexperienced person of my group however I felt very welcomed and happy, and Craig and Lizzie made me feel very comfortable and cheered me on! You will also meet amazing people which makes the whole trip even more fun and rewarding. I would definitely recommend it!!

  • Raymond G.

    Absolutely loved every minute of this weekend. Everything ran smoothly. The hotel and food was lovely. The guides Craig and Lizzie were fantastic guides, they made our experience even more special with there love for the job they do. Even the weather was brilliant so the views were incredible. Thankyou to everyone involved.

  • rebecca w.

    I really appreciated the teaching and support of Lizzie and Craig. It was fun and I learned new skills in a playful way. Also a great group, supportive and fun. With good weather we all summited Ben Nevis !

  • David B.

    Fantastic week with a great group. Would certainly consider further MBA events. Well organised and MBA team stay connected anticipating questions and concerns.

  • Phillip M.

    Brilliantly organised, excellent guides and excellent company. Everyone summited despite challenging weather conditions. I would do it again tomorrow.

  • Prerna G.

    I joined the Ben Nevis winter skills and summit weekend with Aidan and Phil and it genuinely exceeded every expectation. The weekend turned out to be one of the most extreme weather windows of the season. Saturday was a brilliant skills day learning crampons, ice axe technique and self arrest. Sunday was a full blizzard, complete whiteout, -14C wind chill. We were one of only two groups to summit that day. None of that happens without exceptional guides. Aidan and Phil were patient, calm and completely in control throughout. They read the conditions brilliantly, kept the group together and motivated even when it got really tough, and never once made anyone feel like they were holding things up. On the descent I hit an icy patch and struggled. Aidan was right there, calm and reassuring, and got me through it safely. That kind of attentiveness to each individual in the group is what separates a good guide from a great one. The group was a complete mix of ages, backgrounds and fitness levels. Aidan and Phil managed that beautifully, keeping everyone moving and looking out for each other. By the time we got down we felt like a proper team. Can't recommend them highly enough. Already thinking about the next one.

  • Wesley A.

    I had an incredible experience learning winter mountaineering skills and pushing myself to summit Ben Nevis in tough winter conditions. The climb was demanding, with biting winds and icy terrain, but with the expert guidance of Aidan and Phil, I was able to reach the top and achieve my goal. I couldn’t have asked for better instructors to make this unforgettable adventure both safe and exhilarating.

  • Rachel b.

    Aiden and Phil expertly guided all 12 of us the top of a windy and snowy Ben Nevis. And back! The winter skills training was really fun and informative.

Customer Photos

4.8114 reviews
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Showing all 114 reviews

  • Amazing experience!

    Katrina J. April 2026
    The entire trip was amazing from start to finish! We switched our summit day to Saturday (due to weather forecast) and I think actually preferred this. On the Sunday, due to weather, we were given options and I was grateful for this as I got to conquer a personal fear of heights and went rock climbing whilst others did winter skills in the mountains. (Thank you) The organisation was fantastic with plenty of clear instructions & guidance on how to prepare and what to expect. Aidan & Duncan were fantastic guides throughout the weekend. I was a solo traveller and I was fortunate with the group I hiked with. They were all fantastic , supportive people and made the weekend full of fun & laughs! The hotel we were stayed in was lovely (Lime tree) Highly recommend the trip and the company to use!

  • Fantastic Experience

    Ocean C. March 2026
    We absolutely loved learning about the winter skills. Everything was very easy and well organised, from the hotel to the kit rental. Communication was very clear and our two guides, Lizzie and Craig, were just amazing - better than we could have imagined. They answered every question and made the days even more fun. We feel like we have gained important experience and knowledge that we can take forward on our other adventures.

  • Amazing experience!!!

    Berna I. March 2026
    This was all very well thought out and planned, from the hotel stay to the daily activities. On the first day I really loved that the day was so fun, thanks to Craig and Lizzie (they were so amazing and knowledgeable) we learned essential skill which made me feel safe on the big hike the following day. We got lucky and had nice weather however I would say Scottish weather is very unpredictable so definitely have everything from the kitlist as it can vary depending on the time of your visit. I was probably the most inexperienced person of my group however I felt very welcomed and happy, and Craig and Lizzie made me feel very comfortable and cheered me on! You will also meet amazing people which makes the whole trip even more fun and rewarding. I would definitely recommend it!!

  • Amazing

    Raymond G. March 2026
    Absolutely loved every minute of this weekend. Everything ran smoothly. The hotel and food was lovely. The guides Craig and Lizzie were fantastic guides, they made our experience even more special with there love for the job they do. Even the weather was brilliant so the views were incredible. Thankyou to everyone involved.

  • Great instructors and learned new skills

    rebecca w. March 2026
    I really appreciated the teaching and support of Lizzie and Craig. It was fun and I learned new skills in a playful way. Also a great group, supportive and fun. With good weather we all summited Ben Nevis !

  • Ben Nevis Winter Skills

    David B. March 2026
    Fantastic week with a great group. Would certainly consider further MBA events. Well organised and MBA team stay connected anticipating questions and concerns.

  • Mid March Ben Nevis summit

    Phillip M. March 2026
    Brilliantly organised, excellent guides and excellent company. Everyone summited despite challenging weather conditions. I would do it again tomorrow.

  • I joined the Ben Nevis

    Prerna G. March 2026
    I joined the Ben Nevis winter skills and summit weekend with Aidan and Phil and it genuinely exceeded every expectation. The weekend turned out to be one of the most extreme weather windows of the season. Saturday was a brilliant skills day learning crampons, ice axe technique and self arrest. Sunday was a full blizzard, complete whiteout, -14C wind chill. We were one of only two groups to summit that day. None of that happens without exceptional guides. Aidan and Phil were patient, calm and completely in control throughout. They read the conditions brilliantly, kept the group together and motivated even when it got really tough, and never once made anyone feel like they were holding things up. On the descent I hit an icy patch and struggled. Aidan was right there, calm and reassuring, and got me through it safely. That kind of attentiveness to each individual in the group is what separates a good guide from a great one. The group was a complete mix of ages, backgrounds and fitness levels. Aidan and Phil managed that beautifully, keeping everyone moving and looking out for each other. By the time we got down we felt like a proper team. Can't recommend them highly enough. Already thinking about the next one.

  • What a weekend 🙂

    Wesley A. March 2026
    I had an incredible experience learning winter mountaineering skills and pushing myself to summit Ben Nevis in tough winter conditions. The climb was demanding, with biting winds and icy terrain, but with the expert guidance of Aidan and Phil, I was able to reach the top and achieve my goal. I couldn’t have asked for better instructors to make this unforgettable adventure both safe and exhilarating.

  • What an adventure.

    Rachel b. March 2026
    Aiden and Phil expertly guided all 12 of us the top of a windy and snowy Ben Nevis. And back! The winter skills training was really fun and informative.

  • Absolutely awesome

    Justin R. March 2026
    It was truly fantastic - and physically very tough. I'm writing this review to help out noobs, see below. Firstly, the group were lovely. Big shoutout to our guides Murph and Ben. I honestly only have positive things to say about these guys. They were so knowledgeable, professional, really friendly, and just great. Fort William is a charming little town, the food was great. For first timers like me - never climbed anything other than some walks before - people who know what they're doing can ignore the rest: I was doing this as a strong (powerlifting, badminton, climbing) but crucially cardio-unfit 30 year old guy (~98kg, 5"10). - Almost everyone in the group was fitter than I was. It was one of the hardest physical challenges I've done in my life. I have not done anything like this before. I don't regret any of it, it was great, but be warned. If you haven't done uphill walking for long distances with the bag on, practice. I underestimated the cardio challenge and paid the price. - Things to bring or consider that aren't mentioned in too much detail in the kitlist but are important: - Blisters. Compex or other brand blister plasters. Bring an excess. Socks that wick moisture. - Chaffing. Vaseline, appropriate underwear, Compex cream. Or talc. - Cramping. Salt/electrolyte tablets, electrolyte drinks, snacks with energy and salt. Especially if you're like me and you sweat a lot. When I woke up Sunday morning, I could barely move, my calves were seized up. Aisleen lent me some Deep Heat, shout out to her. - Layers are key. You don't want one thick layer. You want something like a thermal underlayer, an optional "down" jacket for warmth (can't get wet but very compact), top layer waterproof that's not too hot. If you get colder, add in another layer or two. - Water bottle. Not too big, you can refill it from streams. Would recommend not more than a litre, not less than 500ml. Others had either bladders, or it clipped onto their bag for easier access. - Snacks. Sugary, easy to eat, salty as above. Haribo tangfastics for example. Preferably some that can be easily accessed when you have gloves on and it's freezing - you don't want to have to go into your bag if you can avoid it. Zip loc bag in waterproof pocket for example. A note on Sunday evening. This trip runs Friday to Sunday. When you come back on Sunday, we were absolutely soaked through, cold and exhausted. By default, you won't have a hotel anymore. Consider booking yourself in for another night. I by pure luck had, and am super grateful I did. I was absolutely exhausted and could not have travelled, and needed a hot shower and change after coming down on Sunday. Some people were fine to just change and go home, but I'm glad I didn't have to. The hotel has a medium sized towel rail, and hairdryers for drying stuff. Recommend bringing spares of what you can for day 2, for us everything was soaked. It was a brilliant trip, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am glad I did it. Being prepared with little things like would have helped me more, I hope it can help someone in future.

  • Loved every mintute, didn’t want it to end!

    Mark W. March 2026
    What a fabulous time away with like minded and great people. Everything was easy and straightforward. The guides were very experienced and fun. Ben Nevis inn had great food and a comfortable stay, I would. Recommend to stay a night before and after the booked experience. Thank you!

  • Snowy Summit Adventure

    David B. March 2026
    A fantastic adventure with great guides who shared their knowledge and experience to keep us safe on this and future trips. The programme was switched to enable us to summit Ben Nevis on Saturday when the weather forecast was glorious and Sunday was likely awful - a very welcome change to deliver the goal. Thanks to Aidan and Ben for a great weekend, and inspiring me to do more.

  • Summit Ben Nevis and Winter Hiking skills (March 2026)

    Janhavi B. March 2026
    It was an incredible experience ever learning winter hiking skills and doing Ben Nevis Summit. A big thank you to our hike leaders Craig and Micheal for supporting us through the Ben Nevis Summit and teaching us winter hiking skills!! It was lovely to meet everyone in the group and getting inspired to do more hiking and learning through the experiences! Thank you Much Better Adventure for an awesome experience!

  • A great experience

    Hannah T. March 2026
    What an experience and with such skilled and knowledgeable guides who kept us all safe and well looked after. Thank you Murf and Craig!

  • Ben Nevis and winter skills

    Donna H. March 2026
    The trip was amazing the guides very knowledgeable and really nice!! They ensured that everyone felt good at going at their own pace! One thing I would say for kit list the rucksack should let people know it needs to be a hiking one where you can attach poles and ice axe on the outside!! I was just going to bring an ordinary sport rucksack that would not have worked !!!

  • Fantastic weekend of winter skills

    Susan R. March 2026
    I've just completed the Summit Ben Nevis winter skills weekend having thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The guides, Craig and Murph, were exceptional, ensuring our safety and well-being at all times as well as teaching us a range of winter mountain skills in an enthusiastic and entertaining manner. We were blessed with perfect weather, which always helps the enjoyment factor, as does a great group of like-minded, team-spirited people. One bit of advice - make sure whatever warm hat you wear allows the addition of a helmet (ie no bobbles). The hotel, with a wonderful Scottish breakfast was also great! I highly recommend this trip, my 7th with MBA.

  • Great fun but not well thought out

    Ingeborg R. March 2026
    I had a great weekend but some issues stood out. I booked an additional night in advance and that wasn't booked, had to arrange that with the hotel myself as the main guide was not present for the entire weekend. I also had issues with the rental axe and shoes. Due to a change in the schedule to accommodate for the weather we were able to summit, that was wonderful, but it felt like the skills we were meant to learn should've at least been briefed on the Friday. 6 out of 12 people opted out of the skills day after the summit.

  • Great Experience m! Highly recommended!

    Khadeeja N. March 2026
    I had a great experience with Much Better Adventures climbing Ben Nevis. Our guides MICHEAL AND BEN were excellent—very knowledgeable, calm, and supportive throughout the trip. They provided crampons and an ice axe and clearly explained how to use them safely, which was really helpful, especially for those of us with less winter mountaineering experience. The weather over the weekend was quite challenging, but the guide managed the conditions very well and prioritised our safety at all times. Thanks to their planning, we were able to summit Ben Nevis on the first day when the winds were lower, which made a big difference. Overall, it was a really valuable and enjoyable experience. I learned a lot and felt safe the entire time. I would definitely recommend this trip and the guides to anyone interested in winter hiking or mountaineering.

  • Well worth it

    Oscar T. February 2026
    I was looking for an intro to winter skills and this trip ticked every box, getting perfect conditions to go up Nevis thanks to the guides decision to reschedule was a bonus. Rental gear was good and well explained, hotel was comfortable and Fort William very hospitable.

  • Amazing trip!

    Sarah F. February 2026
    Our guides, Aiden and Calum were knowledgeable, kept things challenging yet safe and most importantly were fun to adventure with! Our group was a great mix of people from all over and we had a great time on the mountain and in town! 100% recommend :)

  • Very good trip, friendly and

    Jacob R. February 2026
    Very good trip, friendly and knowledgeable guides. Learnt a lot of new winter skills, giving me an appetite for more! Would 100% recommend this trip

  • An awesome weekend in a

    Emiliano A. February 2026
    An awesome weekend in a stunning location. loved every minute

  • Great two days in the Scottish Highlands Inc Ben Nevis Summit

    Jessica M. February 2026
    Had an absolutely brilliant weekend. We were very lucky to have such good weather at this time of year. Fresh snow made the whole experience even more special. Reaching the top gave me a real confidence boost and definitely inspired me to try more adventures like this. Both reassuring and motivating to meet others who also love this kind of challenge! Big thanks to Cal and Bee, our guides who were great throughout.

  • Awesome trip and organisation

    Andrew G. February 2026
    In summary - Don’t put things off - do them while you can. I completed this at 55 years of age, having ever completed any winter work before. It pushed me, personally, physically and mentally which I documented in the FB post. The energy expenditure at a personal level was something else. Be both physically and mentally prepared and you will get the very best the mountain can give you. The instructors, Cal and Bee were both amazing human beings and skilful across a whole number of areas. On the Sunday climb of Nevis, the group was split into two based on capabilities and was absolutely the right thing to do. 3 of us were with Cal as we weren’t operating at the same pace as the other 7. Cal’s interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills were nothing short of outstanding and that’s from someone who spent 30 years in the emergency services. His ability to read the situation, understand us individually and what was holding us back, teaching us ways beyond climbing to combat fear and stress, well. Exceptional. And he got the three of us to the top. I was the last off the mountain and he stayed with me every step. I will always be grateful of what he did for me and the skill he brought to the table to enable me to achieve one of my significant life goals. Be realistic with this trip. In Winter, it isn’t easy. If you want to summit, be prepared both physically and mentally. Trust your instructors. They are exceptional. You won’t be the first or the last person they have had to help. Be realistic with the weather. You may not be able to summit if the weather is too dangerous, high winds for example. There is nothing that can be done about that. Trust the process.

  • Ben Nevis

    Anthony W. February 2026
    Great experience, great group of people, great guides 😁

  • Brilliant!

    Regina K. January 2026
    Aidan and Cal were fantastic guides - taught us all the skills while having a lot of fun. Unfortunately didn't summit but just means I have to go back, and that's fine with me! Definitely bring ski goggles, helps so much, and plenty of warm layers

  • Awesome winter mountaineering weekend

    Timothy (. January 2026
    What a great weekend of proper winter mountaineering. An introductory first day ticking off the winter skills, followed by a Ben Nevis summit attempt in some fairly extreme snow and wind. We had to turn back due to slow progress and lack of time, but still had a fantastic winter experience putting those new skills into practise, ably led by two expert guides. If you've only ever hiked in the summer, this is the obvious next step. Highly recommended.

  • .

    Rupert M. January 2026
    .

  • Challenging, educational. Great leaders

    John B. December 2025
    Challenging, educational. Great leaders

Before You Travel

What to Pack

Backpack with hiking gear laid out

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.

Kit List

What's included?

All your technical equipment (crampons and ice axe)

You will be provided with stiff walking boots (B1, 2, or 3 grade) to fit crampons (you are welcome to bring your own, if preferred)

Your host will also carry essential equipment such as a first aid kit and group shelter

What do I need to bring?
  • Rucksack (we recommend 40 litres) with liner
  • "B" rated crampon compatible walking boots (optional - these can also be provided by your host)
  • Thermal base layer
  • Fleece top – not cotton
  • Polyester, fleece or woollen trouser and tops (no jeans)
  • Heavy-duty waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hat
  • Thick waterproof ski gloves and warm liners, or two pairs of good gloves
  • Scarf or neck gaiter/buff plus spares
  • Ski goggles
  • Head torch
  • Walking poles
  • Flask or water bottle
  • Energy snacks
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Emergency survival bag (6’ by 3’ orange poly bag available from any outdoor store)

If you're not sure your boots will be compatible with crampons - check out our useful guide (opens in new tab) to find out more.

FAQs

After you've checked out of your accommodation on Day 3, you'll be able to store your luggage either at the hotel or in your guide's vehicle.

This trip includes locations or elevations where conditions can be extremely cold. Daytime temperatures may drop below freezing (0°C/32°F), and nights are often significantly colder. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of exposure-related issues, such as frostbite or hypothermia.

Your guide is trained to manage these risks, adapting activity intensity and monitoring group wellbeing. However, it's important to take personal responsibility – bringing the right cold-weather gear (see Kit List), staying hydrated and well-nourished, and recognising early signs of cold stress.

We recommend assessing your personal comfort and resilience in cold environments, and consulting a medical professional if you have health conditions that may be affected. Arriving early can also help you acclimatise to the colder conditions, especially if you're coming from a much warmer climate.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

On any winter hike in a high mountain environment, you will potentially encounter high winds, rain, snow, ice and steep slopes. Ben Nevis is no different and you should be prepared to face these conditions. The average temperatures between November and March are between -6°C and -1°C, but factor in wind chill and it can feel much colder. You should read the kit list carefully and pack everything listed.

The dates for this trip have been chosen based on when there is a high chance of there being enough snow, to ensure the skills covered are winter and snow focused. Your host has run these trips for many winter months with a reliable snow forecast. The weather in the area is, however, becoming increasingly hard to predict – on the rare occasion that there may not be enough snow to learn all the winter skills as planned, your guide will still ensure you have a full day of learning mountain skills.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 69kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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