Avalanche Safety Gear Special Collection

It’s not always easy to know how to enjoy the cold winter weather when summertime makes it so easy to be outside. But being outside and enjoying nature is a good thing, no matter if it’s warm and sunny, or cold and snowy! If you’re big into the outdoors, but not sure how to enjoy the colder months of the year, you’re not alone. 

Some of the most popular winter activities are skiing and snowboarding. There’s nothing quite like gliding down the side of the mountain covered in snow. But with snow and mountains comes the potential for avalanches.

There are rules and safety protocols to observe if you’re exploring unpopulated backcountry areas—regardless of whether it’s summer, spring, fall, or winter. And if you’re exploring when there’s snow on the ground, there are a few things you should have with you, including avalanche safety gear.

Backcountry gear you should keep on hand and ready to use (on top of your standard coat, gloves, snowboard, or skis) include:

• Backcountry Ski Pack: The bread and butter of ski avalanche gear—your pack holds the necessary items that will come in handy in the case of an avalanche.
• Avalanche Beacon: You can’t find someone in an avalanche aftermath scenario without a beacon. Find one that is simple and easy to use.
• Shovel: A shovel is a must-have item that will help you dig pits for snow-pack analysis, as well as help you dig through snow if needed.
• Probe: A probe is a long, lightweight finding pole you can use to press through piled up snow, and ensure reliable footing after an avalanche.