I've just returned home from running a winter skills course up in the Cairngorms. The course went well with almost perfect conditions which was loads of snow and zero visibility for most of the week. The group were keen to learn and enthusiastic throughout. The course consisted of an over night stay in a snow hole which was very difficult to dig as the snow pack had recently thawed and then refrozen to create a hard thick layer. We did what we could and used a lot of blocks to build out - it was hard work but I think everyone enjoyed themselves.