Winter Climbing

The Mountain Aonach Mor is part of the range of mountains that includes Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg. The two main climbing areas are Coire an Lochain and the West Face. Given their altitude they offer some of the most reliable winter climbing in Scotland.

Aonach Mor is also home to the Nevis Range snowsports resort; please always walk to the side of ski runs and along fence lines in single file, never on tow tracks or fresh grooming

Gondola and Quad Chair Access

An early morning climbers gondola to 650m departs at 8am prompt, every morning. Any changes to this will be posted on the Winter Snowsports home page. Normal gondola operating hours are 9am – 4.30pm during the winter season, with extended hours at weekends. If the gondola is unable to operate due to high winds the same point can be reached within 11⁄2 hours following the path from the car park, which runs under the gondola line. The Quad chair to 870m also provides winter climbers with an uplift only service after 9am.

Facilities

Pinemarten coffee shop – at the gondola base station, open early at 8am at the weekends for hot drinks and breakfast and 9am weekdays.
Snowgoose restaurant & bar – at the gondola top station for a well deserved pint after a hard day’s climb. You’ll also find toilets and the shop open from 9.15am selling clothing and maps.
Equipment hire – at the gondola base station hires skis & snowboards, blades & snowshoes.

Keep in touch

Receive latest news, event updates and snow conditions direct to your inbox. Visit nevisrange.co.uk for more details on how to sign up for our climber’s alert.

Information

Daily weather and avalanche reports are posted at the gondola base and top stations. They can also be accessed online at sais.gov.uk.

Local climbing reports and conditions can be found at abacusmountaineering.com

Safety

Once at the gondola top station you are in a high mountain environment with all the associated dangers including avalanche, cornice collapse, unstable snow, ice and rock. Do not snowhole beside fences as these areas are groomed daily, and the driver will not see you. You will find more information on mountain safety on the Mountain Council of Scotland website at mountaineering-scotland.org.uk.

Please refer to climber's access map for full details and hazard warnings, available from Ticket Office onsite.