SHOVELS

For freeriders who love to go off-track with their touring equipment, the essential safety equipment should consist of a shovel, probe, tracker beacon and avalanche airbag. Due to its importance in the case of an emergency, it should be self-explanatory to cast a special eye on the quality and reliability of the avalanche shovel.

Avalanche shovels by Sport Conrad

Do you love exploring fresh snow, enjoy strenuous climbs and rapid descents? Then you should keep in mind that you always run the risk of being caught off guard by an avalanche. Off the trail, it is therefore important to always have complete avalanche equipment in your touring backpack – and an avalanche shovel is definitely part of that.

Avalanche shovels help you search for buried victims and can save lives in an emergency. Choosing the right avalanche shovel that meets safety requirements and performs well in tests in terms of weight, construction, and performance is therefore of utmost importance. For all ski tourers, freeriders, and others, the right avalanche shovel is therefore essential and belongs on your ski tour just as much as the snow.

What are avalanche shovels?

An avalanche shovel, along with an avalanche probe and an tracker beacon, is part of complete avalanche equipment. An avalanche shovel is essentially used to move large amounts of snow and, in an emergency, to free a buried person from the snow.

How is an avalanche shovel constructed?

The construction of an avalanche shovel is relatively simple, as it basically consists of three different parts: the shaft, the handle, and the shovel blade. Each of these three parts is available in different sizes and lengths, with details such as specific dimensions and materials used being crucial.

The special feature of avalanche shovels is that they do not have to be transported as a whole, as the components of the shovel can be separated from each other. If necessary, the shovel blade, shaft, and handle can be inserted into each other and then separated again in the same way. At first glance, the structure of an avalanche shovel seems very clear and simple, but you should not underestimate its complexity

Know your equipment: What you need to know about shafts, shovels, and handles

Shovel Blade

When it comes down to it, the right shovel blade is what counts. The harder and deeper the snow, the greater the strain on the blade. Look for a beveled front edge and, ideally, slight serrations to help the blade penetrate better. Astep edge at the rear creates space at the boot and allows for better penetration pressure through the legs.

Shaft

This component of avalanche shovels forms the connection between the blade and the handle. Avalanche shovel handles, or shafts, come in a wide variety of shapes, from round to square. In addition, some models feature a telescopic shaft, which means that the shaft can be pushed together and apart. This has the advantage that the length of the shovel can be individually adjusted. This is particularly important because longer shovels are more effective. However, the length of the avalanche shovels should always match your own height. In addition to the length, the angle of the shovel is also crucial, which is why some shafts are angled and can be used as a pickaxe in addition to a shovel, which is also known as a clearing function.

Handle

It is essential that the handles of avalanche shovels are particularly robust and easy to grip. That is why there are different handle shapes that can be selected individually, depending on which handle you find easiest to use. The T-handle and D-handle are familiar from conventional shovels and offer a good, comfortable grip, while Y- and L-handles are similar to the T-handle but are a further development of it, offering a slightly different grip feel. Which handle is right for you is a matter of personal preference.

How to use an avalanche shovel correctly in an avalanche emergency

In the event of an avalanche and burial, every second counts. That's why it's important to always have your avalanche equipment within reach. Special avalanche backpacks are particularly suitable for this purpose, as they have special compartments with holders for your equipment.

You should also be familiar with your equipment, including your avalanche shovel. Practice assembling your shovel before you even set off for the mountains. Also, familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions for your shovel. Always remember that the chance of survival for a buried person is highest in the first 15 minutes, which is why you need to know how to use your equipment and every move you make.

If an emergency situation arises and you need to use your avalanche shovel, you should proceed as follows:

1. If you are alone: Position yourself at a distance equal to the burial depth below the avalanche probe and start digging.

2. If there are two of you: Proceed as described above, position yourselves at a distance equal to the burial depth below the avalanche probe and start digging.

3. If there are three of you: Form a V shape, with two people at the front and one at the back, and start digging. The people at the front should shovel the snow and the person at the back should clear the snow aside.

4. With four people: Stand with two people in front and two people behind, switch positions regularly, and proceed as described above.

It is also important to be more careful the closer you get to the buried person. Clearing the airways should be your top priority, so use your hands to clear the space around the head.

Large or small, which is better?

Finding the right avalanche shovel is not easy, as they come in many different designs and sizes. While shovels with a small shovel blade can move less snow, they have a small pack size and are easier to handle. The advantage of larger shovel blades is that they can quickly move a lot of snow. However, the disadvantage here is that large avalanche shovels require more effort to use and have a larger pack size. In principle, it is therefore impossible to say whether a large or small avalanche shovel is better. Ultimately, it depends on what you are most comfortable using. Among other things, this depends on your own height and strength, but technique is also crucial. You can learn the correct technique in so-called avalanche courses, among other places.

What makes a good avalanche shovel?

A good avalanche shovel is characterized by, among other things, high-quality and robust materials. Metal and aluminum are suitable for this, but also carbon or a particularly resistant material such as titanium. High-quality materials ensure that the shovels remain functional even when used in avalanche cones, where the snow is particularly compacted, deep, and hard.

At the same time, the material of your avalanche shovel should not be too heavy, because a high weight not only causes greater strain when carrying, but also more effort when shoveling. Here, you should look for a combination of high robustness and low weight.

Furthermore, avalanche shovels should beergonomic. This is ensured, for example, by a height-adjustable telescopic handle, but also by ergonomic grips. It is also important that avalanche shovels are easy to assemble and disassemble and that they are intuitive to use.

Certified avalanche shovels in the test – what you need to know

The UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme) has drafted standards for various items of equipment to ensure that these items can meet certain requirements and withstand certain stresses. There is also such a standard for avalanche shovels, the UIAA Standard 156. Some avalanche shovels therefore carry such a certificate. In the case of avalanche shovels, this means

that the shovel size is at least 500 cm², enabling a quick rescue.

that the avalanche shovels have been tested for bending and pulling.

that the avalanche shovels have a length of at least 75 cm for ergonomic shoveling.

Such certifications can give you peace of mind when purchasing your avalanche shovel, but products without such special certifications are also functional. Whether certifications are important to you is therefore your own decision.

Avalanche shovels for your next ski tour at Sport Conrad

Are you drawn to the snow-covered mountains? Then your avalanche shovel is an absolute must. Complete emergency equipment is essential, and even if avalanches are unlikely in your area, you should never take any risks. Buying an avalanche shovel can save your life and that of your companions.

To ensure that you have your avalanche probe and tracker beacons with you in addition to your avalanche shovel, we also offer these two items in our shop. In addition, you will find everything you need for a successful ski season in our online shop. From skis to avalanche backpacks, you will find everything you need for your tour.