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“Avalanche! Avalanche! Oh my god! Help!” The alarming screams came from just over the ridge. Our group picked up the pace and topped the ridge in about a minute to see a small slide path. The witness was in hysterics and could tell us nothing except that there were two victims with beacons and one without. Damn. One person directed from above as others searched. Two of our group searched with beacons, each followed by another with a probe and shovel. The rest of the group probed in likely deposit areas, hoping to get lucky. The first two “victims” (backpacks with beacons inside) were recovered within three minutes of the slide. The third (a backpack containing our instructor’s lunch) took nearly an hour to find, because the “victim” was not wearing a beacon—this serious lesson in avie preparedness was undeniable. After lunch we practiced shovel shear tests, compression tests, and backcountry route finding.

Years ago, this three-day Level 1 avalanche class taught me the basics of identifying and avoiding dangerous terrain while skiing, mountaineering, and ice climbing. Such a class should be considered minimum training for backcountry winter travelers. If you travel in the backcountry without proper education, you’ll likely end up a statistic. There is no governing body for avalanche training in the United States, so look closely at your instructor’s qualifications before you take a class. Is she a guide, ski patrol, avalanche forecaster, or a ski bum who needs extra cash? The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) is a highly recommended source for instructors, because they use a standardized curriculum to assure all classes teach the same information. This means that your Level 1 class in Washington will provide you with the appropriate information to take a Level 2 class in Colorado the next season.

Check the avalanche forecast before every trip into the backcountry. I have it automatically e-mailed to me and read it even if I’m not going out that day. You can find the forecast for most areas at the Forest Service National Avalanche Center

Along with the appropriate training, avalanche safety gear is essential for safe winter travel. Though beacons get all the glory, it’s your probe and shovel that do the dirty work. A probe pinpoints a victim’s location to reduce digging time, and shovels are ultimately responsible for getting your friend out of the snow. A quality shovel and probe can shave minutes off rescue time and may make the difference between your friend skiing out or being carried. For these tests, we selected our most popular shovels and probes. Some are a company’s top-of-the-line model and some are designed for the budget-minded. Use these tests as a guideline, but you should compare all shovels and probes from each brand before making a purchase.

Here are our subjects…

The ideal shovel is a balance between weight, size, strength, and its ability to move snow. To determine the usefulness of each shovel, I took them out for a day of practicing avalanche skills and put them through the ringer with help from a few friends and a deep Utah snow pack.

Watch the snow fly.

Each shovel was assembled with big gloves on and used to excavate a large pit as quickly as possible. After using them as sleds to return to civilization, I tested their strength. Because I don’t have a cool oscillating machine to test each shovel, I came up with my own method of simulating a year of vigorous use. I froze the shovels overnight, parked the front tire of my truck on the blade, put a five-foot pipe in the handle slot, and reefed on them until they fractured. Of course, you’d never put this much stress on a shovel in real life, but it did help distinguish the burly shovels from the weaker ones. The handles were also frozen and positioned in space between two pieces of wood. Using Rutschblock Test guidelines (standing, bouncing, and jumping), each handle broke with a big jump; there was no notable strength difference between brands. Shovels were given a rating of 1-5 in each category and for overall performance.

Our shovel strength test

Ortovox Alaskas – 3 out of 5 Goats

Though the Alaska shovel is not a stand-out in any particular category, it is not poor in any category either. With a combination of all-around good performance and the lowest price in the test, this is an excellent choice for the backcountry skier who would rather drop dough on new planks than a new shovel.

Price: $39.95
Weight: 1lb 12oz
Packed size: [blade length] 15in; [handle length] 15.75in
Blade shoveling area: 9.5 x 11in
Overall length: [closed] 26.25in; [extended] 33.75in
Backcountry use: 3 Goats. Its weight and long-necked blade design made it a little cumbersome to pack. However, it was far from the worst in this category and was very fast to set up with gloves. The only real drawback was that the handle froze shut during the freezer test and had to be thawed before it could be extended.
Digging: 3 Goats. This shovel’s hole-digging ability landed in the middle ground. It’s good, but nothing to write home about.
Sledding: 4 Goats. The blade was just big enough to make a comfortable seat and provided a nice flat platform for a smooth ride.
Strength: 3 Goats. After a few repetitions the blade started to lose its shape, though it remained relatively usable until it finally fractured.

Black Diamond Tele Lynx – 2 out of 5 Goats

If weight determines your backcountry gear picks, you’ll want the Tele Lynx shovel in your starting lineup. Though not a good choice for those who abuse their gear or are likely to be digging a dozen tent platforms at base camp, it is the best in the review for skiers and alpine climbers who don’t want to notice they’re carrying a shovel until they need it.

Price: $44.45
Weight: 1lb 9.3oz
Packed size: [blade length] 14in; [handle length] 16in
Blade shoveling area: 8.5 x 11in
Overall length: [closed] 25.24in; [extended] 31.75in
Backcountry use: 5 Goats. As the lightest and most compact shovel in the test, this was the obvious choice for ounce-counting alpine freaks. Even those with small day packs had no problem fitting it in with the rest of their gear.
Digging: 2 Goats. This was the slowest shovel for digging a big pit. Though it moved snow nearly as fast as the rest, the short length caused us to cramp and tire quickly.
Sledding: 1 Goat. The short handle and narrow blade made this a poor choice for sledding. The ride was similar to sitting on the “groover” during a rafting trip.
Strength: 2 Goats. Our overblown test proves too much for this weight-conscious blade. It flattened on the second compression, though it actually survived the longest until developing a fracture.

Voile Telepro T6 – 4 out of 5 Goats

If you’re stuck in base camp, digging out snow-covered tents for days on end, this is definitely the shovel to have. Packing this shovel is the closest thing to bringing a tractor into the backcountry. Unfortunately, with all the excellent snow-moving ability comes a hefty weight and length, making it hard to carry.

Price: $47.95
Weight: 1lb 14oz
Packed size: [blade length] 15in; [handle length] 20in
Blade shoveling area: 9.5 x 11in
Overall length: [closed] 31.5in; [extended] 39.5in
Backcountry use: 1 Goat. This was the heaviest and least-packable shovel in the test— OK for base camp but poor for backcountry travel. However, the slotted blade can be used as a deadman anchor which may get you down the last rappel on some big alpine face.
Digging: 5 Goats. The large blade and long handle combined with a super-comfortable D-grip proved a winning combination. We tried to get a backhoe from the highway department to compare it to, but they wouldn’t let us.
Sledding: 4 Goats. The long handle and wide, flat blade made for a comfortable ride. However, it seemed to drift sideways until the rider wrecked and was dug out with other shovels.
Strength: 4 Goats. The T6 blade stood up well to repeated compressions and held its shape very well until fracture. Notably, it was still usable after we “broke” it.

G3 AviTECH – 5 out of 5 Goats

The AviTECH can be summed up in one word—burly. With its incredible strength, this shovel is ideal for anyone who destroys gear. The neckless design made it very easy to pack, and it can be used with only one section of the handle to save weight. The D-grip was a little too small for large gloved hands, and the thick blade did not plow through icy layers as well as other models, but overall the AviTECH was a strong performer.

Price: $74.95
Weight: 1lb 11.2oz
Packed size: [blade length] 11in; [handle length] 18in
Blade shoveling area: 9.75 x 10.5in
Overall length: [closed] 25.5in; [extended] 34in
Backcountry use: 4 Goats. Though its weight is in the middle ground, the neckless blade made this shovel’s pack size very small. The D-handle is notched, so it can be attached to an ice axe loop, and the blade is drilled for use as a deadman anchor. During the freezer test, the handle froze shut. It could still be attached to the blade, but not extended until it thawed.
Digging: 3 Goats. Surprisingly, this shovel was not a top performer when it came to digging. The main problem was that the D-grip was very narrow, and did not fit large hands well. Because of this and its relatively short handle, performance was about average.
Sledding: 3 Goats. The blade was a little on the small side. Those who needed a larger seat found it uncomfortable in bumpy sections.
Strength: 5 Goats. When we told the G3 rep that we were going to break this shovel, he just laughed and said “Ha, good luck.” It then became our mission to destroy this thing. We were awed when we pushed down on the pipe and the blade lifted my truck without flexing. Eventually, we did get it to fracture, though it held shape perfectly.

Life-Link Pit Boss – 5 out of 5 Goats

With impressive strength and shoveling ability, the Pit Boss was a favorite for many testers. The only thing that we didn’t like was that the neck and handle were both straight. If you accidentally push the handle in too far while setting up, it clicks into a useless position, and you have to redo it. However, this was a very minor drawback considering the excellent performance in other categories. And, as one tester pointed out, “It has flames on the handle. What more could you possibly want?”

Price: $59.95
Weight: 1lb 12.2oz
Packed size: [blade length] 11.75in; [handle length] 19.25in
Blade shoveling area: 10.5 x 11.5in
Overall length: [closed] 26.75in; [extended] 39.25in
Backcountry use: 3 Goats. Despite its heavy weight and large dimension, the neckless blade design made the Pit Boss surprisingly easy to pack. The straight-shaft handle can be pushed too far into the blade while setting up, making it not quite as fast as the others.
Digging: 5 Goats. This shovel was excellent for making big holes in the snow really quickly. Its large blade dimensions and long handle were very helpful.
Sledding: 4 Goats. With excellent control and flotation, all that keeps this from being called a sled are the ribs in the blade that bruise one’s backside on rough runouts.
Strength: 5. We cranked and cranked on this blade, watching my truck bob up and down. After we finally got it to fracture, the shape remained unchanged.

	Ortovox	Black Diamond	Voile	G3	Life-Link
Overall	3	2	4	5	5
Price	$39.95	$44.45	$47.49	$74.95	$59.95
Weight	1lb 12oz	1lb 9.3oz	1lb 14oz	1lb 11.2oz	1lb 12.2oz
Pack Size (blade/handle)	15in / 15.75in	14in / 16in	15in / 20in	11in / 18in	11in / 19.25in
Blade	9.5 x 11in	8.5 x 11in	9.5 x 11in	9.75 x 10.5in	10.5 x 11.5in
Length	26.25 - 33.75in	24.25 - 21.75in	31.5 - 39.5in	25.5 - 34in	26.75 - 39.25in
Backcountry	3	5	1	4	3
Digging	3	2	5	3	4
Sledding	4	1	4	3	4
Strength	3	2	4	5	5

Probes always get the short end of the stick when people consider avalanche gear, but they’re absolutely essential. Probes allow you to pinpoint a victim, greatly decreasing digging time. They also tell you a victim’s depth, so you don’t take his nose off with a shovel when you’re full of adrenaline and digging to save his life. We searched for deeply buried packs with each probe to determine how quickly they set up with gloves on, how well they stayed together, and how well they penetrated the snow. Stiffer probes are more accurate because they’re less likely to be deflected by hard objects in the snow pack and miss the person you’re searching for. To determine each probe’s stiffness, I froze them, secured them to the top of my kitchen counter with four feet sticking out into space, tied a full 1-liter water bottle (two pounds) to the end, and measured the amount that each pole sagged. Because nearly all of these probes are available in a variety of lengths and with measurement lines, we left these considerations out of the test.

This is what science looks like

Ortovox Lite – 240cm – 2 out of 4 Goats

This was the “practice makes perfect” probe of the group. Though its setup is simple once you get it figured out, it could be confusing for a panicked fist timer. If you practice your avalanche skills regularly (as you should), then take advantage of its low price tag. If you neglect your training, look elsewhere.

Price: $46.95
Weight: 9.5oz (3.96oz per 100cm)
Use: 2 Goats. This probe was the most tricky to set up. Once you figure it out, it’s ok, but panic-prone people could mess it up. If that happens, it comes apart during probing. There was some slack between sections, but this can be eliminated by adjusting the tightening knot.
Stiffness: 3 Goats. Sagged 14.25 inches.

Black Diamond Guide – 300cm – 5 out of 5 Goats

This probe was our test favorite due to its fast setup and idiot-proof closure system. It was the stiffest probe in the review and suffered only slight hard-snow penetration issues as a result of having the widest tube diameter of all probes tested.

Price: $58.95
Weight: 11.9oz (3.96oz per 100cm)
Use: 5 Goats. If this thing set up any faster, it would put itself together. The closure system is quick and secure. Make sure you clip the cable to the shaft with the C-clamp, or you’re likely to lose an eye while probing. As the widest probe in the test, it suffered slightly when it came to penetrating hard snow, but it’s stiff and secure profile easily offset this.
Stiffness: 5 Goats. Sagged 10.5 inches. This was the stiffest pole in the test.

Life-Link Speed – 300cm – 3 out of 5 Goats

This probe was ridiculously easy to set up and very solid once erected. Its heavy closure system made it a bit wobbly while probing, resulting in slightly decreased accuracy, but if you’re new to the game, this is an excellent choice.

Price: $75.95
Weight: 13.5oz (4.5oz per 100cm)
Use: 3 Goats. This was the most idiot-proof system reviewed. Just pull and probe. It was very solid once together, but difficult to take down with gloves on. However, taking a probe apart quickly is never a concern.
Stiffness: 3 Goats. Sagged 14.25 inches.

Voile Tourlite – 260cm – 3 out of 5 Goats

The Tourlite is so easy to use that a three-year-old could probably put it together and use it to find buried stuffed animals. Its closure system suffered in deep probing, because people who drove it clear to the hilt had a tendency to accidentally hit the button that allowed it to collapse again. If you’re aware enough to avoid this button, it’s great.

Price: $57.95
Weight: 9.6oz (3.69oz per 100cm)
Use: 3 Goats. One tug and this probe was ready to roll. Some people had problems with it breaking down while
they used it—if you accidentally hit the release button while probing, it comes apart.
Stiffness: 3 Goats. Sagged 14.75 inches. The softest pole in the test, but by only a half inch.

G3 Tech Probe – 240cm – 4 out of 5 Goats

With excellent stiffness and a relatively narrow tube diameter, this felt the most solid while probing. While it was the slowest to set up, the solid feel and the fact that it was impossible to accidentally take apart put a smile on our snow-splattered faces. Though it’s not a good choice for first timers, the Tech Probe was a favorite of more-experienced testers.

Price: $92.95
Weight: 10oz (4.16oz per 100cm)
Use: 4 Goats. Slowest to set up, but extremely solid once together. There was absolutely no slop between sections, giving it the most solid feel when probing.
Stiffness: 5. Sagged 11.5 inches.

	Ortovox	Black Diamond	Life-Link	Voile	G3
Overall	2	5	3	3	4
Price	$46.95	$58.95	$75.95	$57.95	$92.95
Weight	9.5oz	11.9oz	13.5oz	9.6oz	10oz
Setup	2	5	3	3	4
Stiffness	3	5	3	3	5