INTRO TO WINTER CLIMBING
PERFORMANCE WINTER CLIMBING
WINTER MOUNTAINEERING

WINTER CLIMBING

Synergy Guides pride ourselves on our enthusiasm for Scottish winter climbing. This is our bread and butter, a huge part of why we work in the mountains and the reason we count down the days to the first ice climb of each season. It isn’t just about teaching climbing, learning how to build winter belays or avalanche avoidance. It’s about surviving the elements, embracing the battle to remain warm and gaining confidence to dream big in adverse conditions. If our tagline was ever introduced for one climbing discipline, then Scottish Winter Climbing would be it.

DARE TO EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE

Intro To Winter Climbing

Ben Nevis, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Aonach Mor and Stob Ban are all excellent venues to climb Scottish ice or mixed. Each mountain is within easy reach of Fort William where we live and instruct year-round; take advantage of our local knowledge and allow us to share our extensive experience with you.

Synergy Guides have no set course agenda; we can discuss, develop and instigate the correct itinerary for you. From learning how to lead your first-grade II ridge to the correct technique to climb difficult mixed routes. If you have some previous climbing experience our intro to winter climbing is for you.

Number of People	Rate Per Day
1	£280
2	£330

INTRO TO WINTER CLIMBING

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Brilliant guide. Need a Mountain guide then make sure you use Synergy Guides, Steve is a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and he makes sure that you get the best experience possible, my wife and I used Steve to complete the Skye Munros. Steve gave us a couple of days we will never forget. Very friendly, expert climber. Very highly recommended. Book with Synergy Guides you will not regret it.

Graeme McPhee
9/14/2023
Excellent couple of days on the Cuillin, highly recommend Synergy Guides and Steve. Great knowledge and interesting routes, giving me a good challenge. Achieved one of my goals of climbing the Inn Pinn. Thanks Steve.

Ed Chinnock
9/09/2023
Zero regrets in booking with Steve for a day on Skye and the Inaccessible Pinnacle! Communication was great from the initial enquiry email and all arrangements were clear. Really great day out, lots of interesting knowledge from Steve along the way and a successful climb and abseil of the pinnacle. Would not hesitate to book with Synergy Guides again!

Megan Baxter
9/04/2023
Just had the best two days completing the Skye ridge traverse with Steve! Could not recommend Steve and Synergy Guides enough. Not only was Steve great company, he was extremely knowledgeable and encouraging! He really takes into consideration his clients as he chose a route he thought would be exciting for us and kept us up to date on weather / conditions / plans beforehand! We will absolutely be completing other hikes / climbs with Synergy Guides going forward!

Bethan
9/04/2023
I did my first ever scramble with Steve last week, across the Aonach Eagach ridge, and it was an amazing experience. I was quite apprehensive, mainly because I didn't know what to expect, but Steve put me at ease throughout the hike and gave me confidence in my own skill. He gave me clear instructions and explained why we were doing what we were doing as well. I felt like I was in good hands all the way and that I could 100% trust Steve's skill and experience. He's also really easy to talk to (which is a good thing when you're spending 8 hours together) and has lots of good recommendations and a wealth of knowledge; and despite his being far more experienced and fitter than me, it didn't feel like it was a big deal, in fact I'm grateful for the challenge. I highly recommend Synergy Guides and am already thinking about the next scrambling/mountaineering challenge I can get roped into 🙂

Julia
9/04/2023
Done our last 3 Cuillin Munros today.Guided onces again by Steve Holmes.. Great company and expert knowledge of this range.. Can highly recommend Synergy Guides Ltd to anyone needing a guided service.. Thanks again Steve.. Craig & Karen

CRAIG BALMBRA
8/05/2023
This was my first time using a mountain guide and what a fantastic and unforgettable experience it was! Synergy Guides listened carefully to what I hoped to achieve during my time on Skye and Steve used his fantastic mountaineering and meteorological expertise, plus his extensive and detailed knowledge of The Ridge, to work out a way in which it could happen safely during the less than favourable weather conditions of two ‘summer days’ on the misty isle. I felt safe and secure throughout but the highest compliment I can pay is that despite the gulf in experience between us, it never once felt like anything other than a fun couple of days out in the mountains with a mate and that we were a team exploring together. I would 100% recommend Steve and Synergy Guides to help you make the most of your time in the mountains and I look forward to further adventures in the future.

J Fletcher
8/05/2023
My partner and I were guided up Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe by Andy and we honestly could not have had a better guided experience. Andy was super knowledgeable, a really friendly and interesting guy, we felt well looked after, and most importantly we had an awesome unforgettable adventure. Will definitely be booking with Synergy Guides again 👍

Legendaddy
8/05/2023
My best day on the hills. I used Steve to help guide me across skyes cuillin ridge on a single day traverse. What to say, well for starters Steve his highly accommodating in regards to finding a date and time that works for you, as the date approaches he keeps you informed of how the weather is looking and provides numerous different options for you to get the best experience out of the days you have available and the weather situation. While on the hills itself I felt totally safe at all times but it was also good that he encouraged me to push my comfort levels and complete certain parts of the route I never thought I'd be capable of even though this would make his day longer it didn't seem to matter and he was happy to just make sure you got the best experience possible. This just added to the sense of accomplishment. His knowledge of the cuillin ridge is superb, whether it be how the mountains are formed, where to find water or what rocks to trust and what ones to avoid. I would definitely use Steve again and if you want a safe and exciting day on the ridge I cant recommend him enough.

david hutchison
7/28/2023
What an absolutely brilliant experience climbing the Inn Pinn. Steve was a tremendous guide and you could tell right away a complete professional. From the communication and organization before hand to the safety and practical side of the climb itself I always felt safe and confident. As well as his climbing experience Steve also has a wealth of knowledge about the Cuillins and Skye itself advising on other walks and climbs. It's not just his experience that is so good he is just a really nice guy. If you are looking for a guide give Steve a message. I hope to return for some more Cuillin adventures with Steve in the future.

Billy Craig
6/30/2023
Steve is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide. He knows every inch of the Cuillins and that gave me great reassurance. He takes safety extremely seriously so you never feel at risk, and yet has an easy calm manner and always puts his clients interests first. I would highly recommend him.

Charles W
6/30/2023
Synergy Guides are outstanding. I’ve used them twice now and they’re really professional, friendly and excellent guides. Andy and Steve in particular are superb. They go at your pace, make sure you’re doing ok with the technical aspects of climbing and give constant reassurance and encouragement. My recent complete Cuillin ridge traverse was a success because of these guys. I strongly recommend using them. Thanks guys for the great adventure!

Dave Rice
6/30/2023
Hi Steve, Hope all is well! Just a quick email to say thanks so much for setting up my B.Nevis birthday ascent yesterday! Iain is a superb guide - very relaxed, knowledgeable & of course with great experience too! I’d have never been able to do Ledge Route without such a guide! Many thanks again🙏 Matt.

Matthew Dickie
5/31/2023
Steve was the perfect guide for us. He was efficient before our Cuillin ridge traverse, professional and his technical ability meant we were able to move with no fuss but completely safely. He was a good companion, good to spend time with but also interersted in us. I would genuinely reccomend him to anyone.

Richard Sadler
5/31/2023
Had an epic 3 days ticking off the Cuillin Munros with Steve. Would highly recommend Synergy guides for anyone looking to get out and experience Climbing and mountaineering in the highlands.

scott clarence
5/31/2023

Performance Winter Climbing

Perform at your best this winter. Learn how we train, what we eat, and how we look after our bodies in what can be a very testing environment. Performance winter climbing is not just about pulling harder and improving technique; you also need more resilient muscles, better core stability and more than anything a strong psychological approach to climbing.

Synergy Guides pride ourselves on being active and keen climbers. Your time with us will send you on a journey and encourage the progression of your climbing. Let us pass on the tips and tricks, guide you on your first grade V and help you on the way to becoming a safe and successful winter climber. Learn what to pack here!

Number of People	Rate Per Day
1	£280
2	£330

PERFORMANCE WINTER CLIMBING

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Winter Climbing is often seen as a progression from summer climbing and is a great way to train for the Alps or a Himalayan Expedition. Many of our guests who have experienced Skye’s Cuillin Ridge progress to winter in search of the next level adventure.

Winter Mountaineering

Avid winter walkers who want to learn the required ropework to attempt graded winter climbing will be in the hands of one of our friendly and enthusiastic instructors. Our Scottish winter mountaineering course will ensure steady progression in learning how and when to use a rope in snow-filled gullies or rocky ridges and how to use ice axes and ice screws for both ice and mixed conditions. Each day a huge emphasis is placed on understanding avalanche avoidance and good route selection within the limitations of prevailing conditions.

Number of People	Rate Per Day
1	£280
2	£330
3	£380

WINTER MOUNTAINEERING

WHAT IS INCLUDED