Backcountry Smarter
Following a successful first season, our Backcountry Smarter programme returns this Autumn – Winter ’26/27 to help you build true backcountry autonomy. Simple methods to transform your backcountry ski technique and decision-making ability.
There are five elements
Click on each to get more information
Henry is teaming up with Mark Jones of allmountainpro.co.uk to offer a series of events and courses designed to give you a complete off-piste toolkit: the knowledge, technique, and decision-making skills you need for greater autonomy in the backcountry.
Webinars
Three new webinars on being Backcountry Smarter
September 30th
October 7th
October 16th
UK talks
A programme of talks on being Backcountry Smarter.
Essentials and In Depth in London, Manchester, Kendal and Glasgow
On snow courses
Learn the Backcountry Smarter tools and apply them on snow in Val d’Isere on a four day course with Mark Jones and Henry Schniewind
Transceiver training
Learn what to do if the worst happens. Be confident you can recover a buried victim within 15 minutes.
Smarter tools
Proven method to improve your skiing and decision making. Memory aids to help you apply them.
Webinars
Mark Jones and Henry Schniewind introduce Backcountry Smarter in this webinar recording. We cover.
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
Webinar dates
There will be live broadcasts at 1800 on TBC
The UK Talks
The Essentials
In Depth
Four venues
London
Uxbridge
Kendal
Brand new talks
These are with Henry Schniewind and Mark Jones introducing the toolkit for smarter decision making off piste. This covers avalanche awareness, the HAT risk reduction framework and output focused approaches to developing your technique, speed and control off piste
Four day course on snow
Join us on snow in Val d’Isere this December & January This course helps you apply the Backcountry Smarter toolkit
✅ Gain the technical skill to handle real terrain
✅ Build the knowledge and mindset to make your own safe decisions
✅ Become the skier who knows where to go, how to move — and when to say no
Avalanche Transceiver Training
We are running training sessions in the UK and Val d’Isere. Learn what to do if the worst happens. Be confident you can recover a buried victim within 15 minutes.
The Off Piste toolkit.
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 memory aids — practical reference tools to support your decisions and techniques both during and after the course.
With many thanks to ORTOVOX, whose participation makes events like this possible
