Courses and education

Through our courses and seminars, we offer specialised training and education for operating in cold weather.

The Education and Training branch (E&T) provides support and offers specialised training and education in order to enhance the general knowledge and to increase combat effectiveness when operating in an arctic or cold weather environment.

E&T is prepared to accommodate a variety of requirements – from individual to unit level as certification, courses and seminars using the knowledge of all branches in the Norwegian Armed Forces as well as from allied and partner nations.

We have a standard Basic Cold Weather Unit Training programme. It is a basic programme and is designed for units with little, or no, cold weather experience. The overall aim of this programme is to establish the basic routines for operations in cold weather and give the unit basic knowledge of how to fight and maintain combat readiness in a cold climate.

The training consists of a four week programme. The first week focuses on the staff, NCO and medic training and preparations, and the last three weeks are for unit training. Trough the training, the Unit will acquire knowledge and skills on utilising their own combat techniques in winter conditions. They will also be able to use their weapon platforms as well as maintain them. The end state is that the unit is ready to start field integration training with other allied units in a cold environment. 

Our courses

Centre of Excellence – Cold Weather Operations offers a diversity of cold weather courses. Some courses run annually, some biennial and some by request. The courses are open for students from NATO and partner in nations.

Course programme 2025–2026

  • NATO Avalanche Buddy Rescue Instructor Course
    28 april –2 May 2025
  • NATO Cold Weather Survival Instructor Course
    03. november - 14 november 2025
  • NATO Cold Weather Combat Medic Instructor Course
    24 november - 10 december 2025
  • NATO Winter Instructor Course
    15 january - 09 february 2026
  • NATO Cold Weather Planner Course
    26 january - 06 february 2026
  • NATO Avalanche Warning Course 
    09 february - 20 february 2026
  • NATO Avalanche Rescue Instructor Course
    13 april - 17 april 2026
  • Army Survival Evasion Resistanse Escape Instructor Course
    24 august - 11 september 2026
  • NATO Cold Weather Survival Instructor Course
    09 november - 20 november 2026

Webinars 2025 - 2026

Dates 2025: 23 september, 25 september, 30 september and 02 october 

Dates 2026: 22 september, 24 september, 29. september and 01 october

Topics to be decided.

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COE-CWO Course Login

NATO Cold Weather Operations Planner Course

Welcome to the NATO Cold Weather Operations Planner Course. We look forward to having you all on board the course.

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NATO Winter Webinars

Centre of Excellence Cold Weather Operations (COE-CWO) has the pleasure to invite NATO and Pfp nations to attend NATO Winter Webinars. The webinars will be hosted on TEAMS (unclassified) during October 2024.

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Centre of Excellence Cold Weather Operations

COE-CWO, Terningmoen P. O. Box 393, N-2403 Elverum, Norway
Hamarveien 110, Terningmoen Camp, N-2403 Elverum, Norway
E-mail NS: coe-cwo@ns.mil.no
E-mail H: coe-cwo@h.mil.no