Education for off-piste skiing & snowboarding

Thinking about heading off-piste? If so, then training is essential – even if you hire a qualified mountain guide or off-piste instructor, understanding the terrain, conditions and how to avoid getting caught in avalanches means you can self-manage and stay safer. If the unthinkable happens and one of your group is buried in the snow, then understanding how to find them quickly, with the right equipment, can seriously extend the chances of survival.

Here’s our pick of some of the best courses and organisations that provide training for skiers and snowboarders in off-piste mountain safety:

1. ISTA – International Snow Training Academy
Set up by legendary freeride skier, Dominique Perret in 2016, ISTA is an organisation dedicated to training recreational skiers and snowboarders in off-piste mountain safety. Qualified Mountain Guides and the highest level ski instructors can train to become ISTA partners and deliver a highly structured program that has four levels – Discovery, a basic introduction to off-piste safety during a one day course that helps create awareness when in a guided group, up to ST3, which allows for more autonomy in the mountains when venturing into the backcountry. Bookings can be made online and destinations are available across the Alps.

2. Henry’s Avalanche Talks
Henry Schniewind is based in the French resort of Val d’Isère and has been running ‘Henry’s Avalanche Talks’ for over 15 years, as well as touring the UK throughout the autumn. The talks start off with ‘The Essentials’ which are targeted at those looking to head off-piste for the first time and for anyone wanting to refresh their memories – Henry also runs more in-depth talks during his UK tour and in Val d’Isère. Henry, a fully qualified ski instructor and off-piste guide, also runs on-snow courses in Val d’Isère that focus on gaining the kind of experience that allows for autonomy in the mountains – his mantra is Ride Hard, Ride Safe and Henry says: “The programme helps people answer the critical question “Is it safe out there?” We explain that there is no simple yes or no answer. The right answer is it depends on you. It depends on where you go and when, how you go down or up and how well prepared you are”.

3.Snoworks off-piste safety
Snoworks run all-mountain and off-piste ski courses from their base in Tignes as well as numerous other destinations around the world. The team of British instructors are some of the most respected in the industry, led by Phil Smith and his team of former Olympic skiers, national team coaches and BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) Trainers. They run two specific off-piste safety training weeks at the beginning of the winter season in Tignes. The courses run for five half-days, Monday to Friday and focus on route finding, protocol, equipment, companion rescue and technical skills for handling the type of terrain you might encounter when skiing off-piste. Dates for 2017 are November 25 and December 02.

4.Glenmore Lodge
Glenmore Lodge is the national training centre for mountain sports, based on the shores of Loch Morlich on the road between the town of Aviemore and Cairngorm Mountain. The centre runs numerous courses all year round including Avalanche Awareness for ski tourers and freeriders. There are two levels, one for intermediates – those who are comfortable with ski touring equipment and have some backcountry experience, and advanced – for those who have more experience in the backcountry and either hold or are working towards leader/teacher qualifications. The courses take place in the Cairngorms and run for two days.

5.Mountain Tracks
Founded in the year 2000 my British Mountain Guide, Nick Parks, Mountain Tracks, (now part of the Ski Club of Great Britain) run ski, trek and climbing courses all over the world. They also have an avalanche training program with three different levels based in Chamonix. The levels include a one day introductory course for skiers who are needing to refresh their skills or are new to off-piste skiing, a two and a half day intermediate course for those who are new to off-piste skiing and want to prepare for guided trips and the advanced course, which is three days and two evenings and designed for more experienced off-piste skiers looking to become more autonomous in the mountains.

6.Action Outdoors – Introduction to off-piste
Providing excellent value, all-inclusive, winter sports holidays for all levels of skiers and snowboarders based in the non-profit UCPA centres in some of France’s top resorts, Action Outdoors extensive program helps introduce people to the off-piste environment. The Introduction to Off-Piste skiing course based in Argentiere mixes technique and tactics with basic avalanche training from the in-house UCPA instructors and mountain guides. More experienced backcountry skiers can continue through the system and take advantage of some of the exceptionally high-level ski mountaineering and ski touring courses on offer that genuinely pushes even the best to their limits.
visit www.action-outdoors.co.uk

This story was originally published in Snow Enthusiast Expert magazine. Read the full issue free at http://magazine.snow-forecast.com/snowenthusiastpro2018.