Get ready for winter with two live webinars : Tuesday 29 September & Tuesday 6 October at 6pm UK time
Want to feel more confident off-piste this winter – not just in your skiing technique, but in understanding your equipment, managing risk and making better decisions in avalanche terrain?
I’m joining Mark Jones of All Mountain Pro for two Backcountry Smarter online webinars designed to give you practical tools and ideas that you can take into the mountains this winter. These webinars, hosted on Zoom, are on:
- Tuesday 29 September: Backcountry Smarter the Essentials. 18:00 – 19:15 UK time
- Tuesday 6 October: Backcountry Smarter In-Depth. 18:00 – 19:15 UK time
Mark and I will each have 20-30 minutes to share our own take on becoming Backcountry Smarter.
I’ll focus on avalanche safety, risk management and the practical decisions we make off-piste. Mark will share his expertise on ski technique, equipment and becoming a more capable backcountry skier.
We’ll then leave around 20 minutes for questions. This is an important part of each session – your chance to ask about whatever concerns or interests you most when heading off-piste.
Start with the Essentials Webinar : Tuesday 29 September, 18:00 UK Time
The first talk introduces simple, practical ways to improve three important parts of your off-piste skiing:
- Safety and risk management: making smarter decisions, reducing risk and being prepared for companion rescue
- Technique: improving control, line choice and efficiency in variable snow
- Equipment: choosing the right skis, boots and bindings, plus essential avalanche safety equipment
The aim is to give you useful ideas that you can start applying as soon as you are back on snow.
Then take it more In-Depth : Tuesday 6 October 18:00 UK time
Our second webinar goes deeper into avalanche triggering, practical off-piste technique and the equipment choices that matter when ski touring.
I’ll explain how and why slab avalanches are – and are not – triggered, using a practical four-step model. We’ll look at remote triggering, “whumpfs” and why nothing happens most of the time – including why many skiers may cross the same slope before it releases.
Mark will then explore practical technique, including balance and using “smart feet,” before looking at touring equipment. He’ll compare frame, tech/pin and hybrid bindings, explain compatibility with Alpine, GripWalk and touring boot soles, and highlight some important points to watch out for.
The idea is to help you understand what is happening beneath your skis, improve how you move and make better-informed choices about your touring setup.
What is Backcountry Smarter?
Backcountry Smarter came about when Mark and I started planning an on-snow course together. We quickly realised that there are lots of useful things we can share with skiers before they even get to the mountains.
And you don’t need to be joining one of our on-snow courses to benefit.
The aim is simple: to help you build greater backcountry autonomy through practical methods that can improve both your skiing and your decision-making.
What will you take away?
We focus on three key areas:
Risk Management – Making smarter decisions, reducing risk and being prepared for companion rescue if things go wrong.
Technique – Improving control, line choice and efficient skiing so you can become more capable and confident when you leave the pistes.
Equipment – Understanding the right ski, boot and binding combinations for you, as well as the essential avalanche safety equipment you should carry and know how to use.
Mark and I will introduce some of the methods we use to help skiers become Backcountry Smarter, with useful points that you can start thinking about now and put into practice when you’re back on snow this winter.
More ways to become Backcountry Smarter
The webinars are part of our wider Backcountry Smarter 2026–27 programme, which includes:
- UK-based pre-season talks and avalanche transceiver training
- 4-day on-snow courses in Val d’Isère/Tignes combining safety and ski technique
- HAT Safety Pack: Our pocket-sized memory aid and accident-reduction guide
- Online learning and practical resources
But importantly, the webinars stand on their own. They’re designed to give you clear, actionable information you can use – whether you’re relatively new to skiing off-piste or already experienced and looking to develop greater autonomy and confidence.
Whether you want to start building your off-piste skills or deepen your confidence and decision-making in the backcountry, join us and get Backcountry Smarter before the winter begins.
We hope to see you there!
