Backcountry Smarter!

Backcountry Smarter: The Off-Piste Toolkit

Introducing our groundbreaking new course for Autumn – Winter ‘25/26 to build your backcountry autonomy. Simple methods to transform your backcountry ski technique and decision-making ability! 

Want to build real confidence off-piste — not just in your skiing, but in understanding your gear and making safer decisions?

I’m teaming up with Mark Jones of allmountainpro.com 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.

Kicking off with a FREE Online Session

24 June at 18:30 CET
Sign up by emailing: hat@henrysavalanchetalk.com

What We’ll 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

More sessions starting this autumn

Online and in-person — stay tuned for dates and details.

************ On-Snow Sessions************

Join us on snow this December & January.

✅ 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

This Backcountry Smarter on-snow course is both a complement to our upcoming ORTOVOX UK Tour events this Autumn, and a great way to follow them up in the ‘Safety is Freedom’ spirit on-snow afterwards. Details of all our Autumn 2025 events will be appearing on our UK events page and on All Mountain Pro website in the next few weeks.

Mark and I will be introducing the Course in more detail during the free webinar on 24 June at 18.30 UK time.

The Backcountry Smarter ‘Off-Piste Toolkit’ includes two simple, yet powerful methods for developing: 

• Control & technique from Mark
• Safety & Adventure training from Henry.

Pocket guide training – memory aides will be supplied for quick reference during and after the courses.

What You’ll Learn

Split 50/50 between technique and safety, each day includes:

With Mark (All Mountain Pro)

• • • Learn easy, simple solutions to enable powerful, flowing off-piste technique
    • Improve ease of turning, balance, and terrain adaptability
    • Video analysis and debrief on every session for personalized feedback

With Henry (HAT)

• • • Apply a practical method for decisions, risk reduction and rescue
    • Learn how to assess terrain, conditions, and avalanche risk
    • Build habits for independent, smart adventure

Who It’s For

Skiers who can make 5–10 turns confidently in deep snow 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.

Course Details

Group Size: Max 6 skiers
Coaching Hours: 9am–2pm (includes break)
Off-snow sessions: Video feedback + safety workshops
Outcome: Knowledge & performance improvement guaranteed

Dates & Pricing

8–12 December 2025 (4 of these 5 days)
12–16 January 2026 (ditto)
Price: €650 per person

Booking & More Info

Visit: henrysavalanchetalk.com | allmountainpro.co.uk

If you are interested in having more fun in the backcountry and the subject of risk management, please sign up to our newsletter at the top right of this blog post!