Avalanche Safety Gear Buyer’s Guide: What Do You Need Before Heading Into the Backcountry?

Whether you’re heading into the backcountry for the first time or upgrading your gear, you'll want to equip yourself with an avalanche safety package and an airbag. This guide breaks down the most common questions we receive and helps you understand what matters in your gear and how to choose what's right for you, from trusted brands like BCA, Highmark by Snowpulse, Mammut, and Ortovox.

What’s Included in an Avalanche Safety Package?

A standard package always includes these essentials: a transceiver (or beacon) that allows you to locate a buried partner or be located yourself, a durable metal shovel designed for fast and efficient digging in dense avalanche debris, and a collapsible probe used to pinpoint a buried person’s exact position. Together, these tools form the foundation of any effective rescue kit, and our Ortovox Backcountry and Ortovox Expert packages are tailor made to get you going and keep you safe. 

What’s the Best Avalanche Safety Package for Beginners?

Beginners often want to know which avalanche transceiver is the easiest to learn and what makes a good starter kit for new backcountry riders. For most snowmobilers, the priority is a beacon that feels intuitive the moment you turn it on. The BCA Tracker series is a popular choice because it keeps things simple with a clear display and fast, no‑nonsense controls that are easy to understand even under stress. We love the BCA Tracker S for its easy to use interface. Ortovox also offers beginner‑friendly options and the straightforward interface and ergonomic design of the Diract Voice helps new riders build confidence quickly.

A solid starter kit usually includes more than just an easy‑to‑use transceiver. New riders benefit from lightweight but strong shovels that can handle dense avalanche debris without adding unnecessary bulk to a tunnel bag or backpack. Probes with quick‑deploy locking systems are also important because they save precious seconds during a real rescue. When you combine an intuitive beacon with dependable digging and probing tools, you get a beginner setup that is simple to learn and reliable in the field.

How Much Does an Avalanche Safety Package Cost?

Many riders wonder why avalanche kits cost what they do and what separates a $400 package from a $900 package. In general, basic kits fall in the $450-600 range, which is where our Ortovox packages sit. These kits give you the core essentials without unnecessary extras, which makes them ideal for most snowmobilers. Higher-end packages often include upgraded transceivers, heavier‑duty shovels, or longer probes. Once you move into the $1200+ range, you are usually paying for airbag compatibility or full airbag systems like those from Highmark and BCA. "Are companies testing new concepts and products to further the technology and safety in the sport? How long will this product last you? Is this a short-term thing to get you through this season or is this a product you are looking to use for years and have little-to-no issues with?" says Avalanche Safety Product Specialist Adam G. from Martin Motor Sports. "These are things to look for when choosing products, as well as brand reputability and the company’s time in gear production."

  

Avalanche Airbag vs. Avalanche Safety Package — Which Do You Need?

Do you need an airbag if you already have a beacon, shovel, and probe? Yes! A standard safety package is the foundation of every backcountry setup and it is absolutely non‑negotiable. These three tools are what allow you and your group to perform a rescue. An airbag is not a replacement for any of them. Instead, it adds another layer of protection by helping keep you closer to the surface during a slide, which can significantly improve your chances of avoiding a full burial.

Whether an airbag is worth the extra cost is another common question. For many riders, the answer comes down to how often they ride in avalanche terrain and how much risk they are willing to carry. Airbags from Klim, BCA, and Highmark all offer reliable, proven systems that are built for the demands of snowmobiling. Highmark by Snowpulse is especially popular among sledders because of its durability and rider‑focused design, while Klim and BCA offer lightweight, comfortable options that integrate well with modern riding gear. 

Which Avalanche Transceiver Has the Best Range and Features?

Most modern beacons use three antennas for accuracy, so the real differences come from search range, display clarity, processor speed, and how each model handles multiple burials. BCA focuses on fast, straightforward performance that snowmobilers appreciate, with the Tracker 3 offering quick signal processing in a compact design. Ortovox takes a more feature‑driven approach, and the Diract Voice stands out with spoken search guidance that helps riders stay focused during a rescue. The choice usually comes down to whether you prefer the simple speed of BCA or the added guidance and interface features from Ortovox.

Range comparison

• • Ortovox Diract Voice: Longest and most consistent range

  • BCA Tracker 3: Strong mid‑range performance

  • BCA Tracker S: Similar range to the Tracker 3, designed for simplicity

Feature comparison

• • Ortovox Diract Voice: Most advanced, includes spoken search guidance

  • BCA Tracker 3: Compact, fast, and offers more technical features than the Tracker S

  • BCA Tracker S: Simplified interface, easiest to use for recreational riders

If you want ...

• • Best range and features: Diract Voice

  • Best balance of size and performance: Tracker 3

  • Easiest to use: Tracker S

What’s the Best Avalanche Shovel for Hard Snow or Deep Burials?

When riders ask what kind of avalanche shovel works best in hard snow or deep burials, the most important thing to know is that you should always choose a metal shovel because plastic blades can fail in dense avalanche debris. "Full metal for strength and durability is essential. Also look for: telescoping (extendable) shaft to move snow easier, a large surface area to move more snow, and a hoe‑mode option to clear snow away with speed. A shovel with these four boxes checked will make a good quality tool to have in the backcountry. For hard snow, look for a shovel with an aggressive shovel tip to pierce through snow crust," says Adam.

D‑handles give you more power for aggressive digging, while T‑handles are lighter and pack smaller in a tunnel bag or backpack. "A D-handle is arguably better than a T-handle for a few reasons, including a better ergonomic grip and increased leverage for less fatigue in the hand. As well, a D-handle is a great option for backcountry enthusiasts who prefer to wear mittens to gloves," says Adam. Picking the right shovel comes down to choosing a strong metal blade and the handle style that matches how you ride and how you pack your gear.

D-Handle Shovels

• • Ortovox Pro Rescue Shovel
  • Mammut Alugator Pro Light Hoe

T-Handle Shovels

• • Ortovox Pro Alu III Shovel
  • Ortovox Beast Shovel
  • Ortovox Pro Guide Shovel
    
  • Ortovox Kodiak Saw Shovel
    

What’s the Right Probe Length and Material?

Most riders want to know if a 240 cm probe is long enough and whether carbon or aluminum is the better choice. For many snowmobilers, a 240 cm probe works, but riders who spend time in deep snow areas often prefer something longer for extra reach. As for materials, aluminum is the most common choice because it is strong, durable, and dependable in dense avalanche debris. Carbon probes are lighter, which some riders like, but aluminum generally offers better long‑term strength for real rescue conditions.

• 240 cm: Suitable for most ski touring. The Ortovox Alu 240 is perfect for most riding.

• 280–320 cm: Preferred by snowmobilers and used in deep snow regions. Try the Ortovox Alu 320+ Probe for the deep stuff.

• Aluminum: Stronger and more durable. The Ortovox Alu 240 PFA Probe is a strong, reliable aluminum probe. 

• Carbon: Lighter but more expensive - Ortovox Carbon 280+ PFA Probe.

Do I Need Training to Use Avalanche Safety Gear?

While you can practice the basics yourself, proper training is essential because real avalanche rescues are fast, stressful, and unforgiving. "Time is a valuable asset in avalanche rescue, so it is absolutely necessary to learn how to use your avalanche gear effectively to ensure quick rescue and recovery. However, the most important reason to get your avalanche training, such as AST 1, is to avoid the burial situation entirely. The best way to save someone from an avalanche is to minimize the risk of it happening in the first place," says Adam. 

Training is essential. Avalanche Canada recommends:

• • AST 1 for all backcountry users

  • Regular practice with your transceiver

  • Group rescue drills

  • Understanding terrain and snowpack basics

How Do I Maintain Avalanche Gear?

To keep your avalanche safety gear reliable, it’s important to maintain it consistently throughout the season and during storage periods. Regular cleaning, proper battery management, and careful inspection of your transceiver, shovel, probe, and airbag system all help ensure everything performs when you need it most. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for airbag cylinders or fan‑system checks, store gear in a cool and dry place, and handle long‑term storage with extra care so your equipment stays ready for real use.

Before Each Trip

• • Start with fresh alkaline batteries in your transceiver
  • Inspect your shovel blade and probe cable for wear or damage
  • Confirm your airbag system (cylinder or fan) meets manufacturer requirements and is ready for deployment

During the Season

• • Clean and wipe all gear dry before short‑term storage
  • Ensure your transceiver is turned off when not in use
  • Inspect your avalanche airbag for any wear or tear
  • Store gear in a cool, dry place with minimal electronic interference

End of the Season / Long‑Term Storage

• • Fully clean and dry all gear
  • Remove transceiver batteries for long‑term storage
  • Disassemble your shovel and loosely store your probe (lubricate if needed)
  • Clean and vacuum your airbag pack, and test the system when taking it out of storage

Are Avalanche Safety Packages Worth It?

Yes! Avalanche safety packages are absolutely worth it, even for riders who tend to stay near the trail or stick to familiar terrain. Most avalanche accidents happen closer to the trail than people expect, and many occur on days rated “moderate,” when riders often let their guard down. A complete safety package (beacon, shovel, probe, and ideally an airbag) gives you the tools to respond quickly and effectively if something goes wrong. You’re not just buying gear; you’re buying the ability to save a life, whether it’s your riding partner’s or your own. Investing in proper equipment, learning how to use it, and practicing regularly is one of the most important commitments any backcountry rider can make.

Learn more from Avalanche Canada and BCA.