London, UK – With more skiers and snowboarders venturing from marked runs, it’s becoming increasingly important to have a knowledge of avalanche safety skills. The Ski Club of Great Britain has again teamed up with Henry’s Avalanche Talk, Arc’teryx and new for this year, retailer Ellis Brigham, to offer comprehensive mountain safety and avalanche awareness training before hitting the slopes. And new for 2010 is an advanced off-piste talk which has been added to the portfolio.nThe introductory talks will cover basic off-piste safety including how to be well prepared before heading off piste, where to go and when, and what equipment to take off piste.

The advanced talk is for skiers who already venture off-piste, but want to take their learning further. The talk will cover route selection, avalanche types, use of transceivers and what to do if caught in an avalanche slide.

Tickets cost £7 (£6 for Ski Club members) and can be bought online at www.skiclub.co.uk. Ellis Brigham is offering a 10% discount on gear at each venue.

Also, there are two practical avalanche transceiver training sessions taking place on U.K. beaches – Sandbanks in Dorset and Hayling Island in Hampshire. During the sessions participants will learn how to conduct single and multiple transceiver searches and get comfortable with using an avalanche transceiver before the season starts.

Dates and Locations are as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov. 16, 7-9 p.m. – Off Piste and Avalanche Awareness Evening – Covent Garden, London.
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m. – Off Piste and Avalanche Awareness Evening – Duke Street, Manchester.
• Thursday, Nov. 18 7-9 p.m. – Advanced Off Piste and Avalanche Awareness – Covent Garden, London.
• Saturday, Nov. 6 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Practical transceiver training – Sandbanks, Poole
• Saturday, Nov. 13 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Practical transceiver training – Hayling Island