Henry’s Avalanche Talk Launches New Backcountry Smarter Programme

The new Backcountry Smarter programme is designed to combine essential avalanche safety education with coaching to help improve ski technique and matching the ‘rig’ of touring skis, boots and bindings to handle variable terrain, including powder snow conditions that are often found away from the marked slopes in off-piste - also known as backcountry - terrain. 

• Renowned snow safety expert, Henry Schniewind launches partnership with world class ski coach Mark Jones
• The programme includes online webinars, UK talk events, on snow courses and avalanche rescue transceiver training sessions in the UK
• Recent survey by the Mountain Trade Network and Ski Club of Great Britain shows that more British skiers are heading off-piste (or backcountry) than ever before – a rise of 6% to 26% over the past two years
• Backcountry Smarter is designed to help skiers improve their technical skills in variable terrain, whilst ensuring they understand how to prevent accidents in avalanche terrain

A recent survey by the Mountain Trade Network and Ski Club of Great Britain* shows that more British skiers are heading off piste than ever before – now up to 26%, a rise of 6% over the past two years. The Backcountry Smarter programme will help skiers navigate terrain and stay safe, with the combination of Henry’s avalanche knowledge and Mark’s ski coaching using their motto “Backcountry Smarter – Further, Freer, Safer”.

*the survey is sent to subscribers of Snow + Rock and includes a broad spectrum of recreational UK skiers. 

Starting with a series of online preparation webinars kicking off 30th September, the programme then moves to live talks across the UK (London, Manchester, Kendal Mountain Festival and Glasgow) with Henry and Mark, from the end of October until the end of November, before the four day on-snow courses in Val d’Isère during December and January. 

Every element can be taken separately or combined to form a complete programme of backcountry technique and safety. 

Chris Radford from Henry’s Avalanche Talk, said: “this is the ideal partnership that combines the skills to handle off-piste terrain with the knowledge to stay safe when doing so. We are seeing a rise in interest by people wanting to maximise their time in off-piste terrain, and we believe that the Backcountry Smarter programme offers a complete package of tools to help them ultimately become autonomous when they leave the marked runs in any ski resort”. 

Online webinars: Mark Jones and Henry Schniewind present Backcountry Smarter, covering equipment choices, off-piste technique, and risk management and reduction. 30th September, 7th October, 16th October (all times, 6pm). Register here: henrysavalanchetalk.com/backcountry-smarter-webinars Cost: FREE

UK talks: Henry Schniewind and Mark Jones present new Autumn–Winter ’25/26 talks on building backcountry autonomy. Through The Essentials and the In Depth live talk sessions, they share practical tools on equipment, technique, and risk management to boost off-piste confidence, decision-making, and safety. Participants must attend the Essentials Talk first before moving onto the In Depth. Cost: £19.50pp

28th October, 7.15pm: Essentials Talk, Ellis Brigham, Covent Garden, London
29th October, 7.15pm: In Depth Talk, Ellis Brigham, Covent Garden, London
17th November, 6.30pm: Essentials Talk, Ellis Brigham, Manchester
18th November, 6.30pm: In Depth Talk, Ellis Brigham, Manchester
21st November, 3.15pm: Essentials Talk, BASE Camp at Kendal Mountain Festival (talk is free to attend with festival entry - time is subject to change) information and tickets (kendalmountainfestival.com)
25th November, 7:30pm: Essentials Talk, Ellis Brigham, Glasgow 
26th November, 7:30pm: In Depth, Ellis Brigham, Glasgow

Further information and booking available here: henrysavalanchetalk.com/backcountry-smarter-talks 

UK Avalanche Rescue Transceiver Training:  3-hour session teaching fast, effective rescue with a transceiver, shovel, and probe. Aimed at anyone skiing or riding off-piste, it builds practical skills, confidence, and teamwork for real avalanche rescue scenarios. Cost: £75pp

26th October, 11:30am: Transceiver Training, Sale, Manchester 
15th November, 11.30am: Transceiver Training, Wimbledon Common, London
29th November, 11:30am: Transceiver Training, Sandbanks, Poole
29th December, 11.30am: Transceiver Training, Wimbledon Common, London 
1st January, 11:30am: Transceiver Training, Sandbanks, Poole

Further information and booking available here: henrysavalanchetalk.com/uk-events/transceivertraining 

Backcountry Smarter on snow: courses in Val d’Isère running 9 am–2 pm on-snow with a maximum of 6 skiers, includes ‘off-snow’ video feedback and safety workshops, and guarantees improved knowledge and performance, as well as essential tools to stay safe out there. Courses run for 4 days spread across 5 days during the week. Cost: €790pp

8–12 December 2025, Val d’Isere 
12–16 January 2026, Val d’Isere