In the early 1990s, he spent some time as a ski instructor near Bolzano and his training there significantly improved his fitness.

[2] Returning to England, Holmes settled in Keighley and began racing regularly on the fells.

[3] Among other international races, Holmes won the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon in record time in 1998[4] and returned to win again the following year when he held off Simon Booth in a close finish.

[5] On the domestic scene, one of Holmes's significant victories early in his career was at Ben Nevis in poor weather in 1994.

Sarah Rowell wrote about Holmes's descending ability, noting that he often won races despite being some way behind the leaders at the highest point.