With 20+ years of ski touring experience across Scotland, Highland Instinct delivers backcountry ski courses to help you explore the Scottish winter mountains safely and confidently.
Founded in 2003 by Jamie Johnston, Highland Instinct combines over 20 years of ski touring expertise with professional Mountain Training Association and Snowsport Scotland accreditations.
Jamie has extensive experience across the Cairngorms and throughout Scotland, from classic ski tours and lift-accessed off-piste to a wide range of backcountry terrain. In 2025, he co-authored Skiing and Snowboarding in the Cairngorms National Park, a comprehensive guidebook to backcountry descents and ski touring routes across the range.
Alongside introducing groups to ski touring and hillcraft, Jamie is passionate about sharing the history, folklore, and Gaelic language of the mountains, bringing broad local knowledge to every day on the hill.
Days out with Highland Instinct combine this expertise with safe, fun, and unforgettable ski or splitboard experiences tailored to your skill level.
Our 1-day intro course typically operates on mountains around Aviemore (Cairn Gorm) or Glenshee. We focus on helping you learn to ski tour safely while making the most of available snow conditions.
Activities include:
Introduction to equipment
Introduction to ski touring in Scotland
Navigation on skis
Techniques for moving safely in winter mountains
Safe route planning and snow assessment
Identifying where the best/safest snow is most likely to be
Avalanche awareness basics
Basic avalanche companion rescue
We will share knowledge of the Scottish mountains - including cultural and geographic insights - while seeking the best available snow.
Pre-requisites:
Ability to ski or snowboard red runs in a variety of snow conditions; good fitness (expect 600 - 800m vertical ascent while carrying a rucksack).
Designed for skiers with some prior ski touring experience already (e.g. pre-existing experience, and/or attended an intro day with us), our guided ski touring day builds on what an intro day covers. We typically operate from Aviemore (Cairn Gorm) or Glenshee, finding the best snow and routes for the day while leading a full Scottish mountain ski experience.
We can incorporate additional skill-focused modules as part of the day, such as:
Navigation, route planning, and decision making on skis
Avalanche awareness, avoidance, and companion rescue
Techniques for moving safely on steep ground
Safety on steep ground: ski touring ropework and anchors (must be agreed in advance)
Whether you focus purely on the tour or would like to layer in skills, the day is tailored to your goals. We combine professional guidance with local mountain knowledge to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience.
Pre-requisites:
Ability to ski or snowboard black runs confidently in varied snow conditions; good fitness (expect up to 1000m vertical ascent while carrying a rucksack).
Prices per day:
1-2 people: £300 total
3 people: £120 per person
4 people: £110 per person
5 people: £100 per person
6 people: £90 per person
Maximum group size: 6 people
Please contact us for availability.
N.B. Equipment hire is not included. Every participant is required to carry a transceiver, shovel, and probe (can be hired locally as a package for c. £22), and to bring touring boots, touring skis/splitboard with touring bindings, ski skins, ski crampons, and poles (can be hired locally as a package for c. £35). Hire providers include Braemar Mountain Sports (Braemar), Ellis-Brigham (Aviemore), and Tiso (Aviemore), and must be arranged in advance. Please N.B. shop opening times as some open earlier than others, and consider collecting the night before to prevent a possible delay in the morning.
What to bring:
Ski touring skis (or splitboard) with touring bindings, skins, ski crampons, poles, touring boots (can be hired - see below)
Avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe (mandatory. Can be hired - see below)
Rucksack (30–40 litres)
Warm and waterproof clothing in layers:
Full waterproof jacket & trousers
Baselayers
Fleece or synthetic midlayers
Softshell or fleece jacket
An extra warm layer in your bag for breaks (e.g., a belay/down jacket)
Warm hat and Buff
Helmet (recommended)
Ski goggles
Sunglasses
Warm gloves ×2 (e.g. thick and thin)
Ski socks
Head torch with spare batteries
Water bottle or flask (moderate amount; hydrate well in the morning)
Lunch and ample snacks
Suncream and lip salve (SPF 30+)
Personal first aid kit, including:
Tape, Compeed, plasters for blisters
Pain relief (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
Any prescription medication (please inform us of special requirements, e.g., insulin, allergies)
N.B. We do not provide ski or avalanche safety equipment. Transceiver, shovel, and probe can be hired locally as a package for c. £22). Touring boots, touring skis (or splitboard) with touring bindings, ski skins, ski crampons, and poles can be hired locally as a package for c. £35. Hire providers include Braemar Mountain Sports (Braemar), Ellis-Brigham (Aviemore), and Tiso (Aviemore), and must be arranged in advance. Please N.B. shop opening times as some open earlier than others, and consider collecting the night before to prevent a possible delay in the morning.
'Skiing & Snowboarding in the Cairngorms National Park' Article written by Jamie Johnston and the co-authors of the Cairngorms ski and snowboard guidebook, sharing some of their favourite descents in the National Park. Published on UKClimbing (autumn 2025) - click image to view.
'Skiing on the edge: a weekend on Ben Nevis' Article about late season steep skiing on Ben Nevis by Jamie Johnston. Published in a supplement of The Scotsman newspaper (autumn 2014) - click image to view.
'Shoulders of Giants // a Scottish ski and snowboard film' From skiing graded ice-climbs to jumping over startled sheep, Jamie Johnston's Scottish backcountry ski and snowboard short-film follows a group revelling in the snow conditions of the preceding few years.
Released autumn 2011.
1st place - Scottish Backcountry Film Festival
2nd place - Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
Now available (published 2025) - Skiing & Snowboarding in the Cairngorms National Park
by Blair Aitken, Jamie Johnston, Katie Henderson and Scott Muir
"The definitive guide to backcountry in this wonderful part of the world."
- Roger Cox, Arts & Books Editor at The Scotsman & Scotland on Sunday
From lift-served runs at Cairn Gorm, Glenshee, and the Lecht, to thrilling off-piste descents and backcountry tours, this book covers it all. Explore more than 360 descents across the Northern Cairngorms, Monadhliath, Drumochter, Beinn a' Ghlo, Glenshee, Glen Doll, and the Eastern Cairngorms accessible from Deeside.
Packed with detailed route descriptions, slope gradings, maps, topographical images, and stunning photos, it's the essential companion for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Along the way, discover folklore and stories from these mountains that span centuries.
360+ different routes & 11 long distance ski tours
450+ pages
55 maps
800+ pictures and topographic images
Whether seeking mellow slopes, challenging gully descents, a snow-reliable tour, or the best place to ski and snowboard in midsummer, this guide unlocks every aspect of the sport in the Cairngorms.
£25 including fast and free delivery by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Prices per day:
![Skiing On The Edge - A Weekend On Ben Nevis [Cover photograph of, and 4 page article by, Highland Instinct's Jamie Johnston, appearing in Scotland on Sunday's annual 'Scottish Ski and Board' supplement, 07 Dec 2014]](graphics/SkiingOnTheEdge-Full.jpg)
