Avalanche Shovels 101: What to know

[@lmyers26]

Sold me on the bd evac 7, thanks for putting out this vid!

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Glad it helped you out Liam! Keep watching more more great vids.

[@silverback4434]

This shovel is like a real shovel , awesome ! Yesterday ive buy one thanks for the review 👍

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

You bet, glad it helped!

[@FeyGriffin42]

You asked for others that were up there with the Black Diamond - I have the Mammut Alugator Pro Lite, take a look, IMO also a top shovel, also super light at about 650gm, but not cheap.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for adding that one to the list for people to consider Will, I'll check it out as well. All things that are good seem to be expensive these days!

[@bee_marshall]

I find the evac 7 pretty big still and I'm not a fan of how it stores in a pack. If a shovel is UIAA certified then does it matter if we select one with a smaller blade?

[@thealpineexperience]

He should have addressed lexen plastic shovels. The Voile Classic is another bomber shovel. Not the lightest, but robust and moves a lot of snow!

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

We simply wanted to address a few different options that highlight key differences and would have liked to include more but that would have made the video very long!

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

Thanks for the comment😊. I would comment on the lexen plastic, except that I don't know anything about it. I've only seen two plastic shovels ever. That's in 20 year's of backcountry skiing and 10 full time guiding. I can say that I don't trust them and recommend against them. But that is based on little to no knowledge of the material and testing. Keys here are to buy a shovel designed to move snow. If you aren't doing that then you are buying one for the wrong reason.

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

Also great to hear you like the Voile Classic!

[@delayedinsanity]

The biggest issue with that BD shovel is the curve. Combined with the fixed handle, it's difficult to fit into your pack. The BCA RS EXT has all the same features (burly handle, hoe mode) and fits in most (maybe all?) packs that have an outer tool pouch.

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

This is a good point, Mark. I find that the curve adds to the shovels ability to move snow making it more ergonomically efficient. The BCA shovel is great as well. The curve fits better when you take the two handle sections apart and pack them separately.

[@bigbuckchasin]

The biggest problem is the black paint! Snow sticks to it terribly.

[@K3rm1tFr0g]

No D handle

[@Daniel-kl7rx]

what about the ortovox shovels? they seem pretty premium too

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Agreed, they do make some nice shovels, we just didn't have access to one to include in the review. Be sure to check out our other shovel review video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqKlnaJuZcqgaKc

[@liryco8795]

Thanks for the tips! Simple practical sense but needed to be recalled. I'd also add : Forget about plastic shovels ! Back here (in France) we often see shovels with plastic "dish" in backpacks AND shops ! This is terrible (and should be forbidden for sale as a safety equipment) : too weak on avalanche blocks and gets even weaker as temperatures get lower. Metal only ! (No carbon either, not sure if that exists, but I'm pretty sure some smart ass will think about it at some point 😅)

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

This is a great point. I neglected to talk about plastic shovels. The reason is that I did not is that I do not have the strength testing information. I had a debate with someone last year and they said that the plastic used in the shovels was very strong and well tested. I do not trust plastic shovels, but seeing as I am not an expert in shovel strength, I decided to leave it out for this one.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

We couldn't agree more, plastic shovels have no place in the backcountry. Avalanche debris is incredibly hard and solid and so unlike anything that most people practice with when they run avalanche scenarios. Best if people don't focus on weight but rather durability and toughness.

[@liryco8795]

@@kootenaybackcountryguides432 thanks for your honesty and not giving your opinion if you didn't have enough elements 👍 I'm not an expert in shovels too, but 1/I've seen a plastic shovel break once (never saw a metal one fail, or at least it will bend first, giving you some warning) 2/Even best plastics age badly with time 3/Even best plastics do get more fragile with low temperatures, compared to metals, simply because organic compounds do react quicker than mineral ones under low temps. At least human bearable temperatures ;) I would not trust a ski buddy with its plastic shovel anyways ;)

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

@@liryco8795 Thanks for responding. Great points and I will add it to my knowledge.

[@PaulBeiser]

Another great video, thanks (and funny as well :-). I have the Ortovox Shovel Pro Light, I will check it specifically for the extension mechanism as well as the blade manufacturing. I already know it doesn't have that great handle that the BD does.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Glad you liked it, Paul, this is why we're creating these videos, so people can take a critical look at their avalanche safety gear and decide if it is up to the task should they need to use it in a real-world situation. Always good to remember that your friend or loved one's life may depend upon it, which raises another good question-what are those in your touring group carrying???

[@PaulBeiser]

@@Backcountryskiingcanada Great question! I ski with a bunch of cheap'ies :-(, will have to make sure they see this videos.. tnx for the piece of advice..

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

@@PaulBeiser Always good to know the experience in your group along with what gear they carry. People like to save money but safety is not one place to skimp!

[@dan.b]

Mammut Alugator Pro is another excelent shovel.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Good to know, thanks for that Dan!

[@leeblaine1472]

Will that Black Diamond shovel fit in a BCA Stash 20 pack?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Can't be certain, but yes it should.

[@leeblaine1472]

Best radio option other than the BCA Link 2.0 for a reasonable price and performance?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

@@leeblaine1472 I'd say that BCA has that market cornered for a durrable ski touring radio. But, there are a lotof cheaper asian options such as the Baofeng GT-3TP 8W which I use and the price can't be beat. www.ebay.com/p/222544738?iid=191465680791

[@fatkorn]

So you're saying I can't jus use my titanium spork... what if they aren't a really good friend

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

well, unless your spork is about 12" in size and reinforced I'd say no, not a great idea, and sometimes good friends become very useful so I'd not discriminate. :)

[@LA_Viking]

I still have doubts about ALL shovels sold for "avalanche" purposes. Obviously what is needed is an entirely new design. Will that ever happen? No, not as along as people are willing to pay overly large sums of money for shovels that are inadequate.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Not sure what your doubts are but more are pretty reliable and purpose built for avalanches and given the low numbers sold they are naturally more expensive than a regular shovel, now not to mention the higher end materials and features.

[@Epacheco]

This guy should dedicate his life to acting infomartials pretending to have problems that don't exist. "Tired of being unable to tie your shoe laces in the morning?" Cut to this guy

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

I think he'd prefer to be a professional mountain guide and enjoy a life responsibly and knowledgeably guiding people in the mountains.