Backcountry Smarter webinars:
Introducing the off-piste toolkit
These webinar events introduce our groundbreaking new programme for Autumn – Winter ‘25/26 to build your backcountry autonomy. Simple methods to transform your backcountry ski technique and decision-making ability! In the webinars Mark Jones and Henry Schniewind will introduce the methods they use to help skiers become backcountry smarter.
This Webinar came about as a result of Mark and Henry planning to do an on-snow course together but then realising that there are so many pieces of the course that they can share with you long before the season – useful elements that you can take away with you now!
You will get really useful points to take away with you now and to apply later too :
Equipment – Understanding the right ski, boot & binding combinations for you (plus essential safety gear)
Technique – Control, line choice, and efficient skiing off-piste
Risk Management – Smarter decision-making, reducing risk & being prepared for rescue
For more info on the whole Backcountry Smarter series of events and concept, see this link.
Register for the next webinars. All times are BST. Click on the buttons below to get your personal link to join the webinars
Each webinar will be a bit different. On 29th September the focus is on the Essentials. On 6th October the attention will move to a more in depth and advanced discussion.
Here is a recording of one of last year’s Webinars: “Output Focus: Slope Angles, No-Risk Zones; Technique & Equipment”
The Backcountry Smarter ‘Off-Piste Toolkit’ includes simple, yet powerful methods for developing:
Control & Technique
A method developed and delivered by Mark Jones, former BASI Trainer and 4x Interski Demo Team member. Mark’s approach to fun, efficient skiing in all snow types — especially off-piste — has helped hundreds of BASI candidates reach the highest levels of ski instruction, and thousands of recreational skiers discover greater confidence and enjoyment in challenging terrain.
Safety & Adventure
Using Henry’s Framework Method, developed through Henry’s Avalanche Talk (HAT): a practical system for making better decisions in complex mountain environments. This method is increasingly adopted by top professionals — including ski instructors, guides, military personnel, financial risk managers, surgeons, and even former fighter pilots — as a go-to, all-in-one model for decision making, risk & crisis management under pressure.
Pocket Guide Training
To reinforce what you learn, you’ll receive compact pocket guide memory aids — practical reference tools to support your decisions and techniques both during and after the course. Here’s an example of the HAT pack of two pocket memory aid guides: one for rescue and one for accident prevention.
Who It’s For
Skiers who can link 5–10 turns confidently in ungroomed fresh snow, off-piste and who want to:
- Level up consistency and enjoyment in variable terrain
- Better understand how to apply backcountry / avalanche safety
- Move from following to leading
Your Coaches :
Mark Jones
Highly respected ski coach in Val d’Isère and worldwide., ex BASI Demo Team member (4x Interski), previous examiner and trainer for BASI and founder of All Mountain Pro. Mark is known for making high-performance skiing accessible and sustainable for all conditions.
Henry Schniewind
One of the world’s most respected providers of avalanche awareness, education & accident reduction. Founder of Henry’s Avalanche Talk (HAT), presenter at international snow science conferences, and author of the Safety is Freedom risk management pocket guide . Henry is also an off-piste ski instructor guide at the off-piste specialist ski school, Alpine Experience.
With many thanks to ORTOVOX, whose participation makes events like this possible
