FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Can snowboarders attend your courses?

Snowboarders can attend but they need to bring their own splitboards as we have none for rental. Another option is to rent from TSA in Aviemore, however this needs to be done in advance. You must have ski crampons for your bindings. You also need to be familiar with your equipment as splitboards are more complicated during transitions. They can also ice up when the weather is bad.

  • Do you have splitboards for rental?

No you would need to provide your own or rent from TSA in Aviemore. This would need to be arranged in advance.

  • What are your start and finish times?

We meet at 8:30am to sort equipment. We aim to be moving by 9am. We aim to be finished by around 4pm. Explorer, Gully Skiing and Bike and Ski Days will aim to be finished by 6pm.

  • Do you supply ski boots?

No, we only have ski touring skis for rent. If you do not have your own boots it would be better to rent the full package from either Tiso or Ellis Brigham in Aviemore. Tiso have good quality setups for £35. It costs £20 to rent just the skis from us.

  • Can I use my normal Alpine Boots?

Yes, our rental skis all have frame bindings so your alpine bindings will fit. They will be heavier though and if they don’t have a walk mode your range of movement will be limited. We would recommend touring boots for courses that last 2 days or more.

  • Do I need ski Crampons? Can you provide these?

It is strongly recommended that you purchase ski crampons for your skis. We cannot supply these for your own skis as they are specific to the individual bindings. If you are renting our skis then we will provide them. If you do not have any, let the instructor know at the start of the course as it will affect some route decisions on the ascent.

  • Why do you need my ski boot sole length, height and weight in advance when renting skis?

We need to allocate the correct ski binding size to your boots. We also need to preset the bindings the night before so it doesn’t take so long setting up the skis in the morning.

  • Can you recommend accommodation?

Aviemore has a good range of accommodation options. Two of the most affordable options are the Aviemore Youth Hostel and the Coylumbridge Hotel. If these don’t suit search on Booking.com.

  • Do you provide transport to the mountain from Aviemore?

No, we meet at the start of the ski tour. The starting point will be close to Aviemore. Most of the time we start from one of the Cairngorm Mountain Resort car parks.

  • I don’t drive, is there a way to attend your course?

You could take the train up to Aviemore the night before. You might be able to get the Aviemore Adventurer bus in the morning from Aviemore to Cairngorm Mountain, but on a Saturday it gets you there for 8:45am earliest. You would need to have your boots on, equipment set up in advance, and be ready to go as soon as you arrived. We aim to be moving by 9am so we wouldn’t be able to offer ski rental. We may be able to arrange a car share if you are stuck.

  • What happens if the weather of snow conditions are too poor to run the course?

We will offer you a refund or option to switch to a different date. We follow the forecasts and monitor snow conditions regularly prior to your course. We try to make a decision as early on as possible but things can change from day to day, so it may be the decision to go ahead or not is not confirmed until two days before. Full conditions can be found here.

  • What happens if I want to cancel my booking?

Please contact us with your reason for not being able to attend. We always do our best to help people out but the later you leave it the harder it is for us to resell the place. Full conditions can be found here.

  • I can’t see the date on the booking calendar or it looks like the course is full. Do you have a wait list?

Please complete this webform and we will let you know if spaces become available.