Henry’s Avalanche Talk (HAT), the organisation that helps off-piste skiers with essential training and advice, has launched its 2023 UK autumn tour, including two Scottish dates, as well as a series of new online free webinars.
During the webinars, Henry Schniewind, founder of HAT, will help to answer questions about the potential risks of skiing or snowboarding in off-piste terrain.
The aim of HAT is to educate skiers and snowboarders so that when heading into off-piste terrain, the risk is no more than driving a vehicle on UK roads, which are some of the safest statistically in the world.
The key to HAT’s message is in the application of knowledge. This is something that might sounds obvious, but it is what is often missing in many avalanche incidents, even among those who are highly experienced.
Free HAT webinars and a UK tour
Four online webinars precede the UK tour, which includes HAT’s Essentials Talk (for anyone considering heading off-piste) and In-Depth Talk (for those that have already attended at least one Essentials Talk).
The tour also includes a number of Avalanche Transceiver Training sessions, where participants can learn and practice the rescue techniques used with a search beacon in the event of a victim burial – something which HAT strives to prevent in the first place.
There’s also a scheduled slot for Henry at the Kendal Mountain Festival on Saturday November 18, at 2.45pm, called SAFETY IS FREEDOM, presented by ORTOVOX & Henry’s Avalanche Talk.
Henry said: “We have discovered that if you enter avalanche terrain and do not apply good risk management then it can be as risky as base jumping. However if you apply good risk management, then you can make it no riskier than driving to the resort.”
During the webinars, Henry will also touch on the impact of climate change on snow conditions and how this might affect decision making in the future. Henry said: “It’s obviously hard to predict what kind of winter we will have in advance but the obvious thing for people to think is that with climate change, we might get less snow and therefore less avalanches.
“But this is not necessarily the case, it’s more complex and in certain conditions, a warmer climate could cause a number of things, including more precipitation, which during the winter would be snowfall, at higher altitudes.”
Henry will be presenting the live webinars and all of the talks in person. Participants can register on the HAT website.
ORTOVOX Off Piste Awareness Tour 2023 schedule
WEBINAR EVENTS – start times all 6pm, webinars run for approximately 45 minutes including Q&As and discussions. Cost, free of charge
October 5, 10, 16 and 23.
Register: henrysavalanchetalk.com/uk-events/safety-is-freedom-webinar-programme
ESSENTIALS TALK – talks are held in Ellis Brigham stores. Cost, £19.50 per person, with reductions for buying 2 or more tickets. This includes a copy of the HAT Pocket Guide and NEW Safety Rescue Card.
Covent Garden, London – October 30, 8pm
St Pauls, London – November 1, 7.15pm
Manchester – November 13, 6.30pm
Glasgow – November 20, 8.15pm.
Register: henrysavalanchetalk.com/uk-events/essential-talks
IN-DEPTH TALK – talks are held in Ellis Brigham stores. Cost, £19.50 per person, with reductions for buying 2 or more tickets. This includes a copy of the HAT Pocket Guide and NEW Safety Rescue Card.
Covent Garden, London – October 31, 8pm
St Pauls, London – November, 2 7.15pm
Manchester – November 14, 6.30pm
Glasgow – November 21, 8.15pm
Register: henrysavalanchetalk.com/uk-events/in-depth-talks
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL – the UK’s biggest adventure festival. November 16 to 19, Kendal, Lake District. SAFETY IS FREEDOM presented by ORTOVOX & Henry’s Avalanche Talk, Saturday November 18, 2.45pm, Basecamp Stand. Register here: kendalmountainfestival.com.
AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER TRAINING – these are outdoor events and all start at 11.30am and run for 3 hours. Cost, £75 per person, including transceiver hire if required. Also includes Henry’s Accident Reduction card, plus the NEW Safety Rescue card and the ORTOVOX Academy Safety booklet.
Wimbledon, London – October 7
Wimbledon, London – November 4
Wimbledon, London – November 12
Wimbledon, London – November 26
Wimbledon, London – December 30
Manchester – November 18
Manchester – November 19
Sandbanks, Poole – November 5
Sandbanks, Poole – November 25
Sandbanks, Poole – December 29
Register: henrysavalanchetalk.com/uk-events/transceivertraining
For more information on HAT.