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Synnott Mountain Guides

@smguides

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Guide service in the White Mountains of New Hampshire run by IFMGA guide Mark Synnott.

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Imagine being this scared and forgetting your audio is recording?

It’s not always a bad thing, since you can use it for content!

Use Milo for comms between you and your coach, but always use those funny comms for Instagram!

These comms come from MiloMix, a feature we added to Milo recently.

Start recording on one Milo and all Milos in the group sync and start!

Share your funny Milo moments with us to be featured!

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The view from up here > anything else 🥾

In our May issue, we’re taking you on an adrenaline- packed tour of the Granite State so you can find your next adventure 🗺️

This week, we’re taking you hiking- read the full story in our May issue, in print and online!

✏️: @mikeywejchert
📍: @cathedralmountainguides / @smguides / @climb_imcs
📸: @coreyoutdoors

#nh #newhampshire #nhmagazine #newengland #hike

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I didn’t grow up skiing or spending much time in the mountains. Being awarded the John Donnellan Education Scholarship through the Mount Washington Avalanche Center has been a game changer for my confidence in the backcountry. As an adult learner from a community often underrepresented in winter sports, my journey into ski touring, mountaineering, and ice climbing has been just as much about access to safe learning spaces as it has been about skills and gear.

This scholarship removed the biggest barrier many folks face: the cost of avalanche education. Through the Donnellan family’s generosity, @mwacenter made it possible for me to take a 3-day AIARE 1 course with @smguides combining classroom learning with field experience. Beyond terrain, rescue, and snow science, my biggest takeaway was learning how strong planning and shared decision-making keep teams safe (see previous self-arrest post).

I’m deeply grateful for John’s friendship and his commitment to the Greater New England outdoors community. I’m excited to pay it forward by inspiring others to build skills, gain confidence, and help grow a more inclusive backcountry community.

Shout out to @blakekeogh for being an awesome teacher!
#mountwashington #avalanche #tuckermansravine

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Maybe the best one yet. What a season. A lot of teaching, a whole lot of learning, and skiing through it all. Thankful for all of the opportunities to gain and share knowledge over the course of the season, and all of the support along the way. I couldn’t do any of it without the people around me. Thanks for having me along.

Shoutout @freeheelinghickey and @tromzsam for the best basement bedroom north of the notch

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Imagine you could cut the learning curve of a new sport in half?

That’s what Milo is allowing adventurers to do.

Use Milo along with a coach and suddenly the hardest part of learning, the communication portion, is wiped out.

Whether it’s mountain climbing and your instructor is 500 feet above you, or mountain biking and you’re separated while going 20mph, or even on the water and you can’t hear them over the wind, Milo bridges those gaps.

Milo, allowing adventurers to just get out there and explore.

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This is Dean. December 28th, 7:15 am, I waited for coffee to work its caffeinated magic while I watched the energy in the pack room escalate. Leaning against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, I noticed someone sitting on the bench opposite the recycling bins and trash cans. They had a similar thousand yard stare and sense of disbelief with how busy the space had become. As I walked past, I looked at this person, said “good luck buddy,” and gave them a quick fist bump. That was the entirety of my first conversation with Dean. A few days later I was in the same spot and Dean was in his, both of us with the same puzzled look on our faces. I walked over and introduced myself. Dean responded with a quick memory hook: “Dean, like Dean Martin.” Every day this season I’ve watched Dean slip between crowds of skiers, climbers, and hikers, quietly doing his job. Before walking out the door to join students and guests, the last thing I would do is give Dean a fist bump and say “good luck buddy, have a great day” and he would simply reply, “you too.” Checking in with Dean quickly became an integral part of the daily routine. A nonnegotiable like radio checks and warm layers. This past Sunday I told Dean it was the last course of the season and asked if we could take a photo together. He quickly agreed, gave me a fist bump, and said “good luck.” That was it. A perfect summary of the last four months of work. Many thanks for an incredible winter Dean and thank you for taking care of the space we teach in, often seek refuge in, and for many of us, find connection and community in. See ya next winter buddy! Here are a few of the adventures Dean sent me out the door on 👊🏼. @fischerski @flylowgear @gordiniusa @uvexsports_us @terraingym @protectourwinters #eastcoast #newhamshire #mtwashington #protectourwinters #livetoski

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I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the last good day of the season for me in Hokkaido. The forecast on February 19th was for 15-20cm overnight, but I woke up to find a meter of snow had fallen overnight. Luckily, my guest for the day was a young engineer/ultra runner/photographer from Canada named Alex Stevens (@alex_stevens_19). If it weren’t for his help with the trail breaking, I’m not sure if we could have gotten this one done. We opened a new zone for me on this day, one that I don’t think many people ski. I call it “The Heart.”

I’d always heard that the backcountry ski season in Hokkaido has a tendency to shut down during the second half of February, but I’d never stayed long enough to see it myself. 24 hours after this epic mission, the temperature rose into the mid 40s. Then it rained for days. The resulting melt freeze crust, which I just explored thoroughly during an @aiare_offical Level 1, won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

My season has finally come to an end, and as I write these words I’m en route back to the US. The Synnott family will spend a couple weeks in Maine and New Hampshire before heading back to Polar Sun for another season of cruising in the South Pacific.

For those who might be wondering: yes, I have been working on the plan for next season in Hokkaido. Dates for my 2027 Japow Ski Safaris are now set. Believe it or not, most of the groups are already formed up. But if you’re interested in joining me next year, the time is now.

There’s certainly a lot to catch up on, which I’ll try to do with some upcoming stories. But for now I’d just like to thank everyone who skied with me this season. I led five groups, each a week long (with one rest day in the middle), plus two avalanche courses and some one day assignments.

A huge and special thanks as well to the Winkel Company (@winkelvillage) at Asari Ski Resort in Otaru. Winkel and my friend @macy_privateguide sponsored me for a Japan work visa this year, and we have some exciting plans for the future, including more @aiare_official courses next season. So stay tuned and please do reach out if you'd like to learn more. @kaestleski @revo @smguides

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Great guides are what make festivals even greater. 🙌⛷️

Since day one, Ski Fest has proudly partnered with Synnott Mountain Guides @smguides . Their team brings a deep legacy of guiding experience — from introductory programs for first-timers to complex international objectives for seasoned adventurers.

Founded by Mark Synnott @m_synnott , SMG has brought together some of the most skilled guides and educators in the industry, creating an unforgettable experience for every participant who joins us on the mountain. Their professionalism, passion, and commitment to education elevate Ski Fest year after year.

If you missed out this season — or if group courses aren’t your thing — SMG offers private guided experiences all year round. Whether you’re looking to ski, ice climb, rock climb, or pursue mountaineering objectives, their team can tailor a program specifically to your goals. Learn more about everything they offer at newhampshireclimbing.com.

We at Ski Fest can’t thank the individual guides and the entire SMG team enough for their continued support and partnership. Here’s to many more adventures together. 🏔️

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So much to reflect on and we’re only halfway through

Despite my best efforts, skiing remains fun

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Talk about an icebreaker…

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🎉 Happy New Year! 🎿❄️
We’ve been a little quiet… mostly because we’ve been too busy skiing 😄 And wow—this early season has been absolutely incredible.

We’re kicking off the new year with some exciting course offerings:

👉 David Goodman is BACK!
The godfather of New England backcountry skiing returns with guided tours on Saturday & Sunday. Ski a full day with a true legend—this one’s special.

👉 Women’s Advanced (Saturday)
New this year! An advanced, women-only course for those ready to push into steeper terrain and sharpen their skills.

👉 Women’s Intermediate (Sunday)
Perfect for taking the next step—explore new terrain while building confidence and avalanche awareness.

Spots go fast! Check out all our courses and sign up at
🔗 www.skimtwashington.com

Course Dates: Feb. 28-March 1

Questions? Course full? Shoot us a message at info@skimtwashington.com and we’ll do our best to help.

Here’s to deep turns and big smiles in 2026 🙌⛷️

@smguides

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