In reply to Nic DW:
Hi Nic, Many thanks for the mention.
Skye Guides winter work is instructional for all levels of experience with an emphasis on quality mountain days on peaks and climbs. Clients are instructed "on the hoof” with the guide judging conditions and taking responsibility in situations where clients are less comfortable.
The reputation for Skye having fickle conditions originates in a fixation amongst climbers with the Winter Traverse. In addition an obsession with pure ice and not blunting axes also put the Cuillin out of vogue for a long time; water ice is undeniably rare in such a rocky environment.
The reality is that "traditional" Scottish winter climbing, on neve and ice, has always been fickle. The explosion of interest in mixed climbing over the past 10 years is recognition of this. Mixed routes can come into condition overnight and under snow I would go as far as to suggest the Black Cuillin peaks, ridges and faces offer the greatest variety of winter mountaineering adventures, at all standards, in the UK.
We can’t often offer snow holing or hours of ice-axe breaking but anyone wanting a proper climbing adventure will find that Skye rewards. It doesn’t even take that much more effort now thanks to modern transport links.
Read more about Skye Winter climbing, travel, accommodation etc in this article-
http://skyeguides.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cullin.pdf
and about Skye Guides winter courses here-
http://skyeguides.co.uk/winter-activities/