Snow/avalanche shovel

[thinhorn_AK]

I want to buy one of those collapsible avalanche shovels that skiers use. Weight is high on the list of priorities but not a deal breaker. I just don’t want something heavy with features I don’t need like saws and stuff like that. Also a priority is being compact when packed up.

Which ones are the best? Black diamond? BCA?

Thanks.

 

[BBob]

There’s a lot of good ones and kinda hard to go wrong. I have a Mammut with an average sized blade and a small compact G3. BCA, BD are good. First thing is how big of a blade do you want? You can get fairly large, average and some pretty small. Some of the bigger blades can be had pretty light. Is it for the truck? Carry in your pack?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

There’s a lot of good ones and kinda hard to go wrong. I have a Mammut with an average sized blade and a small compact G3. BCA, BD are good. First thing is how big of a blade do you want? You can get fairly large, average and some pretty small. Some of the bigger blades can be had pretty light. Is it for the truck? Carry in your pack?

It would be for my pack and my snow mobile.

 

[BBob]

In my small pack and if I’m pretty sure I’m not going to need it or really use it I take the small G3 which is most often. In the truck I take the larger Mammut especially if I know I’m headed into a storm and I may need to dig out a bit to get rolling. I’d say my Mammut would be in the medium and most common size. It’ll move noticeably more snow than the little one. The G3 stays in my small pack and the Mammut is in a bin for the truck with other winter gear. If I were to have only one I’d pick something in the mid size range. They can be had at about 1lb or so. If only for a vehicle I might want one of the larger ones.

 

[cubdriver84d]

I picked up the new BD transfer lt recently and really like it. Apparently the lightest certified shovel out there, and I'd believe it. https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/transfer-lt/

 

[Overdrive]

Just make sure the shovel isn't plastic, a little extra weight on a metal/aluminum shovel but won't break when/if you need it.

 

[Htm84]

I have an older black diamond one. Works fine. My brother has a petzl one that collapses pretty small. If youre in Anchorage the hoarding marmot is worth checking out. I picked up mine for like 10 bucks there.

 

[rideold]

Just make sure the shovel isn't plastic, a little extra weight on a metal/aluminum shovel but won't break when/if you need it.

+100 on this. I've seen many a plastic shovel fail. I've been using an aluminum Voile for going on 20+ years and it's done duty from digging vehicles out to hasty pits to a sled for my little kids....when they were that little

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I picked up the new BD transfer lt recently and really like it. Apparently the lightest certified shovel out there, and I'd believe it. https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/transfer-lt/

I think I'll get one of those.

 

[Poser]

I carry a BD shovel. Big thing for Avy shovels is volume: you need to be able to move a lot of snow quickly. Of course, it needs to fit in your pack -get the biggest one that will fit. I also keep one in my truck in the winter for getting unstuck and/or potentially dealing with an avalanche rescue along the road (knock on wood, but it does happen).

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I carry a BD shovel. Big thing for Avy shovels is volume: you need to be able to move a lot of snow quickly. Of course, it needs to fit in your pack -get the biggest one that will fit. I also keep one in my truck in the winter for getting unstuck and/or potentially dealing with an avalanche rescue along the road (knock on wood, but it does happen).

Im thinking more for digging out places to put a tent and possibly dig my snowmobile out, not really an avalanche thing so much.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Voile makes a good one too. Get metal. Check that it fits in your pack. I like a D-handle for mittens. Super light ones might be shorter to save weight.

 

[65Grendel]

I picked up the new BD transfer lt recently and really like it. Apparently the lightest certified shovel out there, and I'd believe it. https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/transfer-lt/

I keep a BD Transfer in my pack and a BCA Dozer on the sled. https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/p/dozer-3d-avalanche-shovel
Both are great and have taken a lot of abuse. I love the D handle when I need to move a lot of snow to get the sled unstuck.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I picked up the new BD transfer lt recently and really like it. Apparently the lightest certified shovel out there, and I'd believe it. https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/transfer-lt/

Ordered today. Free shipping from skimo.co. Might order more stuff from them soon.

 

[Voyageur]

Ordered today. Free shipping from skimo.co. Might order more stuff from them soon.

Looking forward to hearing your hands-on thoughts.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Looking forward to hearing your hands-on thoughts.

I'm sure it will be just like any other shovel, just lighter. Apparently its the lightest, BCA makes a light one too but I've always liked Black Diamond stuff so I went with it.

 

[Marbles]

I've been really happy with my MSR shovels. I think most aluminum shovels will work well. I like the shape of the MSR for cutting blocks or making flat walls.

Edit: I see I'm too late to the party.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I've been really happy with my MSR shovels. I think most aluminum shovels will work well. I like the shape of the MSR for cutting blocks or making flat walls.

Edit: I see I'm too late to the party.

I like MSR stuff and I still may get another shovel, for this one though, I wanted the lightest one I could find.

 

[Marbles]

At 8 ounces lighter, that BD is a solid choice. Makes me want one.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

At 8 ounces lighter, that BD is a solid choice. Makes me want one.

I tried and tried but couldn’t really find one for less that 100.00, Skimo.co has free shipping though.