Testimonials

How do you choose a guide?

99%, or more, of my IFMGA colleagues are great guides, regardless of background, nationality or where they live. Choosing between us is a bit like finding a mate. There is more than one person who could fit the bill but in the end it comes down to whether that persons approach and personality suits you or not.

We all put safety high on the agenda and we may specialise in different areas of expertise but unless you are performing at the highest technical levels the training we all do will be more than sufficient to give you a great day in the mountains.

I can't claim to be the best guide in the world (there is no such thing anyway) but I try to balance safety with enjoyment and try to share the mountain knowledge I have and enjoyment for the wild places that skiing and climbing take us to. I always come back to the fact that you are on holiday and it has to be fun (I can't guarantee that every moment will be joy!). This year 75% of the people climbing or skiing with me are past clients ( one team are on year 13, one team on year 8). I might suit you too!

Graham McMahon 2008

Graham McMahon, the IFMGA qualified guide running our 3 day avalanche course was excellent.

Belinda Archer, Journalist, writing in Ski and Board Magazine Autumn 2007.

In Argentiere I watched as Graham McMahon thoroughly and carefully taught avalanche awareness techniques.

Tam Leach writing in the Independent newspaper, November 2007.

Just wanted to thank you for guiding us all on such an unforgettable week in the mountains. Not yet discovered who was in league with the devil to supply such great weather but suspect it was Phil – he’s lawyer after all. It certainly slots easily into my top 3 mountain weeks and I know we all appreciated you sharing your knowledge and experienced so freely – can’t wait to get back out touring next year and will be in touch as soon as possible. Magnus, HLR April 2007

Huge thank you for providing quality entertainment and keeping me alive for the duration of my holiday. The route choice was fantastic. Can't fault any part of the holiday. From my perspective at least I think that you maximised what we were able to do in terms of my fitness, skill levels, the available lifts and the weather conditions. The itinerary that you produced in response to these ever changing variables was spot on in terms of the challenge to enjoyment ratio and now that I can look back on it I realise that I actually learnt a lot without realising it and can see a lot of things that I can improve before next season - something that I've never come away with from any course run by the big operators.

Simon B Alps 2006

Just a note to say thanks for a great day out on Saturday, to you and Garry.  We all had a good time in spite of, or perhaps because of, the weather and it has keyed us up for wanting to learn more about outdoor scrambling / rock climbing.

Simon F Wales 2005  

 We both want to say a big thank you for a fabulous few days in Italy. We had truly unforgettable trip and felt well looked after at all times, especially on tricky ground off-piste where you showed endless patience and got us down in one piece! Great fun was had, both on and off the skis, in spite of the sometimes less than perfect conditions. Can’t wait till 2004! …

~ Esther Bott.

Jan, Graham, Bill, Josh, Scott.    Summit of Mont Blanc, May 2005

Thank you for guiding me in Llanberis this September - very enjoyable despite being wacked on the Sunday.

Chris 2005  

We have great memories of the trip: Anne and I were just very disappointed to have to turn back-although I’m sure you were right given the weather. Thanks again for making it such a great experience for us. Anne is determined to complete it next time! See you next year.

Roger. Chamonix to Zermatt, April 2005