Overview
This guided experience involves one-to-one leading in some of Scotland’s best ski touring terrain. We usually find plenty of route options in the arctic-like mountains of the northern Cairngorms National Park. But we sometimes visit other locations in the Highlands of Scotland, depending on conditions. If you can ski reds confidently and want several days of learning and challenge then you’re in.
Whether you want guiding, instruction, or a bit of both, we can focus on building skills, or ski touring in new venues in the Highlands of Scotland. For example:
- Route planning and mapwork
- Avalanche awareness, heuristics and companion rescue
- Skinning techniques such as kick turns and transitions
- Personalised off-piste ski coaching
- Exploring new off-piste terrain (subject to time and conditions)
We will start by checking your skills with touring bindings, climbing skins and transitions. Depending on your confidence, aims and the conditions, I can guide you to locations which will develop your ski touring skills further. Ski navigation, off-piste skiing and avalanche avoidance skills can always do with a refresh!
We will carry avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes during our time together. We can even include a ‘companion rescue’ practise scenario if desired. We structure each day around ‘Be Avalanche Aware’ principles and you are welcome to join in with the decision-making! If you just want to be guided that’s fine, or you can get valuable coaching while exploring Scotland’s fantastic mountains.
Splitboard friendly Leave No Trace
Richard Hughes –
I recently completed a three-day guided backcountry skiing course with Malc, and I can’t recommend him highly enough.
From the outset, Malc was incredibly helpful in planning the trip. He was flexible with dates and took the time to tailor the course to suit exactly what I was looking for, which made a big difference in getting the most out of the experience.
The course itself struck a perfect balance between theory, practical application, and pure enjoyment. We spent time developing key skills—like interpreting weather conditions and understanding avalanche forecasts—while also being introduced to a range of useful tools and resources, without ever feeling overwhelmed.
What really set the experience apart was Malc’s deep local knowledge of the Cairngorms. Even during a busy half-term week, he guided us to stunning, quiet burn lines filled with snow that we often had entirely to ourselves. It made each day feel like a genuine adventure.
Over the three days, everything built progressively, boosting both my skills and confidence. By the end, we were taking on some incredible big mountain days—certainly big for me—and I felt far more capable and self-assured in the backcountry.
Malc’s passion for the outdoors is infectious. His knowledge of the landscape, wildlife, and environment transforms the course from simply a skills-based experience into a meaningful introduction to one of the most beautiful and wild parts of Scotland, and how to explore it safely and responsibly.
Highly recommended.
Malc OReilly –
Thanks Richard! Glad you enjoyed it! Great skiing every day 🙂 Thanks also for the photos!
DH –
Great trip! Malcolm is incredibly easygoing and very flexible in tailoring the course to your needs and preferences. I would definitely recommend him.
Malc OReilly –
Thanks so much! I had an awesome time with you both and I’m really glad we found some powder in the end!
Chris and Christy (verified owner) –
Thank you Malc for a really enjoyable day of ski touring on Cairngorm, making the best of the conditions and being very patient with us. We will definitely be back again
Malc OReilly –
Thanks Chris and Christy! You deserve some blue sky and (Scottish) powder after the stormy conditions you both endured! Thanks for coming over and for your good company 😃
Hannah Walker –
Being a complete novice to ski touring I was introduced to equipment and skills needed to navigate the mountain and varying weather conditions. The course was a good mix of theory, skills and knowledge transfer with the opportunity to put them all into practice. Malc clearly has extensive local knowledge and guiding experience which ensured an enjoyable week. Great introduction to Scottish skiing!
Ben Pope –
Malc is a fantastic guide, had a great day out biking hiking and skiing with him. I’d definitely recommend him, he had great knowledge on the wildlife, the snow pack and weather conditions and the area and we had good laugh too, excellent stuff!??
John Pope –
We went on a ski-touring day with Malc in May up Braeriach (Aviemore) and had a cracking adventure day: biking in (skis loaded on), hiking up, skinning up, crossing rivers and epic spring snow. His knowledge of the mountains and conditions meant he was able to safely hunt out some great snow and skiing for us, even in mid-May. Malc does nature tours, as well as MTB and mountain guiding, so was able to point out all sorts of interesting birds and animals as we went up. Highly recommended.