An incredible challenge to summit the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1344m), in winter! Learn key winter skills, including the use of crampons and ice axes, and then put them to good use to reach the summit where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Scottish highlands covered in snow.
3 days | UK | Extreme
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If yes, please email info@charitychallenge.com and one of our team will be in touch to help with your enquiry.
What to expect
What you will do
Ways to pay
All you need to know
This page provides you with a variety of information about the challenge that you might find useful.
The Winter Ben Nevis Challenge is graded as extreme. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a more extreme environment.
We would recommend that all participants are comfortable summer hill walkers who wish to test themselves in more challenging conditions.
You can tell your supporters that on your Winter Ben Nevis Challenge you will be:
• Summiting the highest mountain in the UK, under winter conditions.
• Learning key winter skills for reaching the summit.
• Trekking for between 8-10 hours on summit day
The Winter Ben Nevis Challenge is graded as extreme. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a more extreme environment.
We would recommend that all participants are comfortable summer hill walkers who wish to test themselves in more challenging conditions.
You can tell your supporters that on your Winter Ben Nevis Challenge you will be:
• Summiting the highest mountain in the UK, under winter conditions.
• Learning key winter skills for reaching the summit.
• Trekking for between 8-10 hours on summit day
The Winter Ben Nevis Challenge is a long, sustained weekend event of up to 10 hours per day and covering varied terrain. Therefore, it requires a good level of fitness. Winter walking in particular is a more demanding undertaking as walking through snow is much harder than walking along footpaths in the summer. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain.
However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in. The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
The Winter Ben Nevis Challenge is a long, sustained weekend event of up to 10 hours per day and covering varied terrain. Therefore, it requires a good level of fitness. Winter walking in particular is a more demanding undertaking as walking through snow is much harder than walking along footpaths in the summer. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain.
However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in. The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
Our minimum group size is 20 and groups are typically made up of between 20-40 people. There will be one challenge leader for approximately every 10-15 participants.
On occasion, we may be able to run a challenge with less than 20 people. This may incur a small group supplement. If this happens, it will be communicated before your invoice or fundraising deadline.
Our minimum group size is 20 and groups are typically made up of between 20-40 people. There will be one challenge leader for approximately every 10-15 participants.
On occasion, we may be able to run a challenge with less than 20 people. This may incur a small group supplement. If this happens, it will be communicated before your invoice or fundraising deadline.
All Charity Challenge winter events are led by fully qualified Winter Mountain Leaders and operated as a team challenge. You will be accompanied by our fully qualified Winter Mountain Leaders at all times. These leaders will navigate the route so you can conserve all of your energy for completing the challenge.
Your leaders are extremely experienced, and many of them have worked overseas with Charity Challenge. They are there primarily for your safety so please respect any decisions they make during the course of your challenge. Your leaders will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. All of our leaders are there to ensure that everyone has the best opportunity to complete the challenge. They will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times.
We encourage all participants to work together to complete the challenge. We believe that your experience is always enhanced by taking time to talk to your fellow challenger’s and learn about their inspiring stories. Our challenges are not designed as a race.
It is extremely important on winter challenges that the group moves together at all times. Unlike summer conditions, the difficult nature of the winter conditions means that it is necessary to keep everyone close together as soon as we reach the snow line. It is important that everyone agrees to this way of managing the group.
All Charity Challenge winter events are led by fully qualified Winter Mountain Leaders and operated as a team challenge. You will be accompanied by our fully qualified Winter Mountain Leaders at all times. These leaders will navigate the route so you can conserve all of your energy for completing the challenge.
Your leaders are extremely experienced, and many of them have worked overseas with Charity Challenge. They are there primarily for your safety so please respect any decisions they make during the course of your challenge. Your leaders will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. All of our leaders are there to ensure that everyone has the best opportunity to complete the challenge. They will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times.
We encourage all participants to work together to complete the challenge. We believe that your experience is always enhanced by taking time to talk to your fellow challenger’s and learn about their inspiring stories. Our challenges are not designed as a race.
It is extremely important on winter challenges that the group moves together at all times. Unlike summer conditions, the difficult nature of the winter conditions means that it is necessary to keep everyone close together as soon as we reach the snow line. It is important that everyone agrees to this way of managing the group.
This is a winter challenge, so please come expecting snow and associated winter conditions. The temperature on the summit is very likely to be below freezing and you should ensure you have suitable clothing. In winter conditions it is also important that you have spare items such as gloves and hats.
This is a winter challenge, so please come expecting snow and associated winter conditions. The temperature on the summit is very likely to be below freezing and you should ensure you have suitable clothing. In winter conditions it is also important that you have spare items such as gloves and hats.
The nature of winter conditions means that it may not be able to complete the itinerary as planned. Our leaders will pay close attention to the weather conditions in the weeks leading up to the challenge. They will also be paying very close attention to the avalanche forecast.
We will always do everything we can to operate the stated itinerary. However, it may on occasion be necessary to amend the itinerary. If this is required, then an alternative route may be planned. For example, on this challenge it may be necessary for us to cancel the planned ascent of the summit of Ben Nevis and offer an alternative lower level walk.
As this is a winter challenge, Charity Challenge can make no guarantee over winter conditions and cannot guarantee that you will be able to summit Ben Nevis.
The nature of winter conditions means that it may not be able to complete the itinerary as planned. Our leaders will pay close attention to the weather conditions in the weeks leading up to the challenge. They will also be paying very close attention to the avalanche forecast.
We will always do everything we can to operate the stated itinerary. However, it may on occasion be necessary to amend the itinerary. If this is required, then an alternative route may be planned. For example, on this challenge it may be necessary for us to cancel the planned ascent of the summit of Ben Nevis and offer an alternative lower level walk.
As this is a winter challenge, Charity Challenge can make no guarantee over winter conditions and cannot guarantee that you will be able to summit Ben Nevis.
The terrain on the Winter Ben Nevis Challenge is on good quality footpaths. However, in winter conditions footpaths can often be unrecognisable and so you should be prepared for a remote walking experience. Footpaths can often be icy at lower levels.
The terrain on the Winter Ben Nevis Challenge is on good quality footpaths. However, in winter conditions footpaths can often be unrecognisable and so you should be prepared for a remote walking experience. Footpaths can often be icy at lower levels.
Please note: Precise details and timings will be made available in your Final Details that are sent out 1 month prior to the challenge.
You will need to be at the accommodation by 8pm on the day of arrival.
On each of the challenge days you can expect an early breakfast. On the ‘skills day you can expect to be out on the hill by 9-10am and return to the hostel by 4-5pm.
On the ‘summit day’ we will aim to begin the trek at 7am. We anticipated being finished by 3-4pm.
Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport.
Please note: Precise details and timings will be made available in your Final Details that are sent out 1 month prior to the challenge.
You will need to be at the accommodation by 8pm on the day of arrival.
On each of the challenge days you can expect an early breakfast. On the ‘skills day you can expect to be out on the hill by 9-10am and return to the hostel by 4-5pm.
On the ‘summit day’ we will aim to begin the trek at 7am. We anticipated being finished by 3-4pm.
Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport.
Please note: Precise details and timings will be made available in your Final Details that are sent out 1 month prior to the challenge. We reserve the right to use alternative accommodation when necessary.
The accommodation for this challenge is likely to be in the SYHA Glen Nevis (this will be confirmed one month prior to the challenge). This hostel is located 5 minutes from Fort William and can be reached by public bus or taxi.
Parking at the hostel is limited.
Fort William is well served by trains from Glasgow.
Inverness is the closest airport. It is 1.5 hours from Inverness to Fort William.
Please note: Precise details and timings will be made available in your Final Details that are sent out 1 month prior to the challenge. We reserve the right to use alternative accommodation when necessary.
The accommodation for this challenge is likely to be in the SYHA Glen Nevis (this will be confirmed one month prior to the challenge). This hostel is located 5 minutes from Fort William and can be reached by public bus or taxi.
Parking at the hostel is limited.
Fort William is well served by trains from Glasgow.
Inverness is the closest airport. It is 1.5 hours from Inverness to Fort William.
2 nights hostel style accommodation is included in the challenge cost. Accommodation is in same-sex dormitory style accommodation with shared bathroom facilities. We will confirm the accommodation one month prior to the challenge. Our normal accommodation provider is the SYHA Glen Nevis.
2 nights hostel style accommodation is included in the challenge cost. Accommodation is in same-sex dormitory style accommodation with shared bathroom facilities. We will confirm the accommodation one month prior to the challenge. Our normal accommodation provider is the SYHA Glen Nevis.
The following meals are included in the cost of this challenge:
• Breakfast at the hostel on days 2 and 3
• A packed lunch will be available to you each day
• Dinner at the hostel will be provided on the second day of the itinerary
We would advise that everyone also bring some of their own snacks to keep them going during the day.
The following meals are included in the cost of this challenge:
• Breakfast at the hostel on days 2 and 3
• A packed lunch will be available to you each day
• Dinner at the hostel will be provided on the second day of the itinerary
We would advise that everyone also bring some of their own snacks to keep them going during the day.
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. Because this challenge takes place in winter it is extremely important that you pay close attention to the kit list and that you bring with you everything marked as essential. A full kit check will be performed by your challenge leaders, and anyone without key pieces of kit may not be able to take part in the challenge.
Winter kit hire
Included in your challenge costs will be the hire of crampons and an ice axe. In order for us to provide you with the correctly sized equipment please ensure that you complete your height and shoe size when registering for the challenge.
Boot hire
You should pay particular attention to the correct boots for this challenge. Boots for winter need to be waterproof and also stiff enough to be able to enable you to use a crampon. Many summer walking boots are not suitable for using crampons.
Please read our advice about what boots are suitable carefully. If you need to hire boots for this challenge then please place this hire via the ‘kit hire’ form that will be sent to you one month prior to the challenge. Boots cost £40 to hire for the weekend and can be paid for upon arrival at the challenge.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found here.
Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners OutdoorHire and Cotswold Outdoor.
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. Because this challenge takes place in winter it is extremely important that you pay close attention to the kit list and that you bring with you everything marked as essential. A full kit check will be performed by your challenge leaders, and anyone without key pieces of kit may not be able to take part in the challenge.
Winter kit hire
Included in your challenge costs will be the hire of crampons and an ice axe. In order for us to provide you with the correctly sized equipment please ensure that you complete your height and shoe size when registering for the challenge.
Boot hire
You should pay particular attention to the correct boots for this challenge. Boots for winter need to be waterproof and also stiff enough to be able to enable you to use a crampon. Many summer walking boots are not suitable for using crampons.
Please read our advice about what boots are suitable carefully. If you need to hire boots for this challenge then please place this hire via the ‘kit hire’ form that will be sent to you one month prior to the challenge. Boots cost £40 to hire for the weekend and can be paid for upon arrival at the challenge.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found here.
Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners OutdoorHire and Cotswold Outdoor.
If this is the first time that you have done any winter walking then the most important thing to consider will be whether your boots are suitable for walking on the hills in winter conditions. This can be a very confusing issue, and you will come across lots of things like B1, B2 or B3 and C1 crampon compatible! Please don’t worry about this.
In simple terms, you will require a B2 boot. We will be providing everyone with C1 crampons so you will be required to have a boot that is compatible with a C1 crampon.
When using crampons it is extremely important that your boots have very little flex, and that the boot is very rigid. This is the opposite of what most people desire in a good, lightweight summer boot where you want your boots to have some flex to increase their comfort.
The following points should help you to decide if your current boots are suitable:
1. Check the stiffness of the sole - hold the heel and toe of one of your boots, then try and push the heel to the toe. If the sole of your shoe can flex when doing this test then your boots are not suitable for winter walking. If you can flex your boots a small amount (approximately 1-2cm of flex) then your boots are probably 3-4 season boots (B1). If there is practically no movement, then your boots will be 4-season (B2 or B3).
2. Check how rugged the boot looks. A winter boot has a much more rugged and stiff appearance to a normal summer walking boot. For an example of a classic ‘rugged’ winter boot please click here.
3. If you know the brand and model of your current boot then check online to see what it's designed for. Most retailers websites will state if the boot is designed for winter use and is either B1, B2 or B3.
If you have any questions about your boots suitability then please email a photo of your current boots to challenges@charitychallenge.com for advice.
If you do not already own a pair of winter boots, then we would recommend that you consider hiring a pair. Details of 'boot hire' will be available with your Final Details, one month prior to the challenge.
If this is the first time that you have done any winter walking then the most important thing to consider will be whether your boots are suitable for walking on the hills in winter conditions. This can be a very confusing issue, and you will come across lots of things like B1, B2 or B3 and C1 crampon compatible! Please don’t worry about this.
In simple terms, you will require a B2 boot. We will be providing everyone with C1 crampons so you will be required to have a boot that is compatible with a C1 crampon.
When using crampons it is extremely important that your boots have very little flex, and that the boot is very rigid. This is the opposite of what most people desire in a good, lightweight summer boot where you want your boots to have some flex to increase their comfort.
The following points should help you to decide if your current boots are suitable:
1. Check the stiffness of the sole - hold the heel and toe of one of your boots, then try and push the heel to the toe. If the sole of your shoe can flex when doing this test then your boots are not suitable for winter walking. If you can flex your boots a small amount (approximately 1-2cm of flex) then your boots are probably 3-4 season boots (B1). If there is practically no movement, then your boots will be 4-season (B2 or B3).
2. Check how rugged the boot looks. A winter boot has a much more rugged and stiff appearance to a normal summer walking boot. For an example of a classic ‘rugged’ winter boot please click here.
3. If you know the brand and model of your current boot then check online to see what it's designed for. Most retailers websites will state if the boot is designed for winter use and is either B1, B2 or B3.
If you have any questions about your boots suitability then please email a photo of your current boots to challenges@charitychallenge.com for advice.
If you do not already own a pair of winter boots, then we would recommend that you consider hiring a pair. Details of 'boot hire' will be available with your Final Details, one month prior to the challenge.
There will be no toilets when out on the hill. All toilet opportunities will be in the great outdoors!
There will be no toilets when out on the hill. All toilet opportunities will be in the great outdoors!
During the challenge, there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
During the challenge, there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a few important points that you should be aware of:
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a few important points that you should be aware of:
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. This team will always keep the group together for maximum safety on each peak and set a sensible pace for all to achieve this challenge within the planned time frame.
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. This team will always keep the group together for maximum safety on each peak and set a sensible pace for all to achieve this challenge within the planned time frame.
We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request.
We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request.
First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in the UK for pre-existing medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.
If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss these with your family doctor or specialist in advance and then discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader.
First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in the UK for pre-existing medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.
If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss these with your family doctor or specialist in advance and then discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader.
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. Therefore, the main thing that you will not be covered for is cancellation. You can see our cancellation policy within our terms and conditions here. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. Therefore, the main thing that you will not be covered for is cancellation. You can see our cancellation policy within our terms and conditions here. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
Charity Challenge believes that all of its challenges, whether in the UK or overseas, should have a positive impact on the communities we visit.
In the UK we would encourage all participants to consider booking an additional night’s accommodation in the area they are visiting so that they can fully enjoy their challenge experience. Many of our challenges are set in beautiful areas of the UK so why not turn your challenge into a weekend away and go out for a celebration meal in a local pub or restaurant.
For more details about our responsible tourism policy then please click here.
Charity Challenge believes that all of its challenges, whether in the UK or overseas, should have a positive impact on the communities we visit.
In the UK we would encourage all participants to consider booking an additional night’s accommodation in the area they are visiting so that they can fully enjoy their challenge experience. Many of our challenges are set in beautiful areas of the UK so why not turn your challenge into a weekend away and go out for a celebration meal in a local pub or restaurant.
For more details about our responsible tourism policy then please click here.
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