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	£260
2	£300

INTRO TO WINTER CLIMBING

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Great experience with Steve & Ian doing Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh. They were very patient with us in testing conditions. Would highly recommend. 😊

WILLIAM MCDONALD
9/10/2020
Well what can I say, everything it says on the tin and more!!!!Two days with Steve on the top 6 Cuillins in really good weather. Ive had UK guides in the past, climbed with guides in South America, Asia, Africa etc but I must admit this one to one with Synergy was the best Ive experienced. Steve has the ability to quickly pick up your strenghts and weaknesses and then suggest the best routes which were just right to push the envelope without being over demanding or super scary. His knowledge of all things Skye was just vast which led to some stimulating and informative conversation from the local geology to how fast you can get between them all!!I would highly recommend to anybody with what ever experience they may or may not have!!

David Welch
5/04/2021
What an epic day! Casper (our guide for the day) was brilliant! Very knowledgeable and full of local mountain info. Day was able to be what we wanted it to be and more! Synergy even brought the sun out with them to make a perfect day!Easy booking and great comms!!Thanks so much guys! Definitely a returning customer!

Larry Mann
9/10/2020
Really couldn't have hoped for a better experience and Tom was a complete legend. Feel very lucky to have had the conditions on our side also which made for the perfect day.The whole trip has been an eye opener

Gregor MacKinnon
6/09/2021
I recently completed the Cuillin ridge traverse with Steve from Synergy Guides as my guide. Absolutely fantastic experience! From beginning to end, Steve looked after me and did a great job keeping me safe. Throughout the trip I was regularly updated with useful information, and given helpful tips and tricks to maximise the journey experience. Steve is about as sound as it gets, and has a wealth of experience to draw on. Would 100% use Synergy again. Thanks for a great traverse!

Alex Stamford
8/05/2022
Steve was incredibly knowledgeable and knew just how far to push us within safe limits. We had two wonderful days in the mountains and now have a lot more confidence tackling Winter climbs. We also received excellent guidance on kit / diet / route-planning which will be taken forward on future expeditions. I could not recommend Synergy Guides any more highly!

Jacob
12/22/2019
I’ve been out with Steve Holmes quite a few times and would strongly recommend him as your guide. His sole aim is to give you a great day out. He is an excellent judge of where to go for the conditions, weather and your ability. On the hill, he is ever alert to your safety and also offers good coaching tips. He is such a good climber that I always feel he is completely on top of everything. Importantly, too, he is great company and full of enthusiasm, whatever the weather.
I am now in my early seventies, and prone to angina, so the qualities above are very important to me. Steve makes sure that associate guides working for Synergy meet the same standards. Through Synergy I’ve had wonderful days on winter routes at III to V in standard.

David Wilson
5/27/2020
Great day out I have met Steve a few times for instruction courses in mountaineering. I am always impressed with his calm and collected tuition whilst feeling very safe. Every time I have had an awesome experience learning new skills and getting out into stunning locations. Cheers Steve.

Colin
5/27/2015
I've just returned from 3 days performance climbing with Synergy Guides and the experience was just sensational. The guides are so knowledgeable and always seem to get you to the best routes on the mountain. Steve Holmes was my guide over the 3 days and he was not only great company, but he introduce me to some superb terrain and developed my skills that will benefit me for years to come.I'm looking forward to planning my next trip later this season and will definitely be rebooking with Synergy Guides.

Nicholas Gasson
2/21/2019
We have just had an amazing 2 days with Steve on the Cuillin ridge in rain and cloud. Discrete leadership, encouraging and lots of great conversation. I feel inspired for more challenges and building fitness, and look forward to working with Steve again.

Delyth Richards
7/05/2022
We were guided expertly by Tom. A great lad, with a wicked sense of humour, fantastic knowledge and really good coach. Lis and I got up the dark side of Ben Nevis and even the sun came out for us. We even managed an eventful decent, but that’s another story. The second day was just as much fun covering trad climbing and ice wall climbing. Great stuff. Thoroughly recommended.

James Dempster
4/05/2022
We had a great day with Steve of Synergy Guides scrambling on Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and then climbing the In Pinn on Sgurr Dearg. Having done most of the Munros I was getting anxious about how I was going to tackle these 2 peaks. Steve made it all possible. He struck the perfect balance between letting us do what we were able to and guiding where necessary. His confidence and capabilities just seem to get transferred to us. Once we had started up the mountain all apprehension seemed to disappear. Steve clearly loves being in the mountains and was good company throughout the day.

Alison Aldred
9/22/2020
Steve Holmes was an excellent guide for our group of three. All of us experienced hill walkers but no rope and harness training. Steve is hands off, letting us find our own pace and lines, but at the same time a reassuring, expert presence. Above all good fun to be with and happy to talk about football and food! Four more Munros ticked. All amazing. We'll be booking again for next year if he can stand us!

Josephine Irwin
7/05/2022
Highly recommend Synergy Guides for anyone needing a guide. Steve was very accommodating and allowed us to pick another date when our original date was really wet. On the day, Iain was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot along the way.

Selina Jia
9/05/2022
Excellent guiding company. I have done Curved Ridge and some Skye stuff with Synergy and always felt really safe and comfortable with them. Thanks Steve and team.

Caroline L
5/10/2020

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	£260
2	£300

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	£260
2	£300
3	£340

WINTER MOUNTAINEERING

WHAT IS INCLUDED