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Safety Gear for Backcountry Skiing

Never leave home without your avalanche gear unless you plan on sticking to low angle terrain. Move on rock and ice safely with crampons, ice axes, and harnesses. Don't forget your helmet!

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Need help choosing safety gear?

Check out our overview of safety gear to learn which crampons, ice axes, helmets, and avy gear makes the most sense for you.

Knowing that the best protective gear is the stuff you actually use, dual-certification (climbing and skiing) helmets are quickly gaining popularity among backcountry skiers. They combine the protective coverage of a ski helmet with the ventilation, top impact protection, and weight-conscious features of a mountaineering helmet. A real people-pleasing mix not seen since pants with ..
$179.95
If you’ve ever thought to yourself “man, it’d be really cool if I could use my ice axe as a shovel handle,” you’re not alone. For years, weight and space-minded ski mountaineers have fantasized about the mythical ice axe that acted as a shovel handle. If you’re anything like us, you may have even tried all sorts of axe and shovel blade combinations, but haven't been satisfied. Alas..
$139.95
You can be racing uphill without being in a race. Whether you are spandex clad or not anyone can appreciate the weight savings of ARVA's Race Carbon shovel. Built specifically for the race scene, the shaft length and overall blade dimensions are optimized for low weight with high levels of functionality and performance. Comboed with ARVA's Race 240 probe you can fit everything you ..
$99.95
Like anything made by Petzl’s master craftspeople, the Trigrest weds functionality with simplicity. Compatible with Petzl Ice Axes such as the Ride, Gully and Sum’tec, the Trigrest is a pommel intended to enhance swing grip, preventing whoopsy-daisies that could see an axe careening out of your hand into a lurking bergschrund. The nylon and steel construction has a super solid feel..
$19.95
The Dynafit TLT Helmet really can do it all. It is triple certified for skiing, climbing, and cycling so you can be fast, light, and stylish for every sport in every season. No matter the time of year, a removable visor will help protect you from the sun's glare. Exceptional ventilation system provides comfort and breathability which will help keep you moving throughout the day. A ..
$149.95 From $119.95
Balancing technical prowess, rugged durability, lightweight, and an approachable price point, the Falk Ice Axe is a sturdy addition to the Blue Ice family. Swapping a titanium head for a steel one, the Falk is built from the same bones as the Hummingbird. Both axes feature an intuitive dual-textured grip, a featherweight aluminum shaft, and a beveled spike for security when plunged..
$119.95
Atomic’s Backland line has long set the standard for precise and reliable ski touring equipment, from bindings to boots to skis. This pattern has continued with the Backland UL helmet, made for lightweight touring yet jam-packed with an unrivaled feature set. Triple-certified for biking, skiing, and climbing, this helmet is ready for year-round outdoor adventures. Just as exciting ..
$269.95 From $179.95
Black Diamond's Guide Snow Saw is a unique multitool. Sure it rips through snow with the razor-sharp teeth, but it also has bonus features that are just what you need when you pull it out. There is a pit cord attached for cutting ECT blocks that stores on the handle, potentially helping with grip while sawing. Also integrated is a crystal card so it really is a many-in-one snow sci..
$59.95
Transfer lots of snow while your partners are green with envy. This Envy Green Transfer LT shovel from Black Diamond is a lightweight, all-aluminum backcountry shovel that values both weight and durability. The riveted blade design let BD engineers keep the metal thin so it can slice through set-up avalanche debris. Strategically placed holes drop weight without affecting the 550cm..
$99.95
The Alpine Avy Safety Set from Black Diamond is a compelling set of light and fast backcountry skiing safety gear. The professional SKU makers at BD have combined the svelte Recon LT beacon with the impressive Transfer LT shovel and a Quickdraw Carbon 240 probe. If you prefer to travel on the lighter side, this package fits great in a lightweight ski pack and provides the tools nec..
$499.95
Only Petzl could design an even slimmer, simpler yet truly well-crafted and elegant progress capture pulley in the wake of the famed Micro Traxion. Behold the Nano Traxion! This nifty piece of gear was seemingly created with weight-conscious ski mountaineers in mind by shaving off even more precious grams for an already extremely compact device. The Nano Traxion now provides users ..
$114.95
A beacon that talks to you? Yep! Well, technically the Ortovox Diract Voice is only a chatty Cathy during search mode. Nonetheless, as the world's first beacon featuring voice navigation, Ortovox built the Diract Voice with the intent to create an even more intuitive beacon. Imagine for a minute that you're in the beacon park taking the time to educate yourself. As the drill begins..
$449.95 $359.95
If the unthinkable happens and someone in your party is buried in an avalanche, speed matters more than anything. The quicker someone is found and dug out, the more likely it is that they will survive to thank you with a cold beer later. Knowledge, training, and practice are quintessential to a fast rescue, but having the right equipment can't be understated when every second count..
$109.95
We've come a long way since the days when ski mountaineers used hip belays to keep their partners safe on steep pitches and lashed crossed curtain rods to their backs to catch crevasse falls. Nowadays, purpose-built harnesses for steep skiing and glacier traversing alike have reached a high level of sophistication. Petzl stepped back from the goals of their ultralight Altitude and ..
$69.95
The species known as Anna's Hummingbird is a tiny bird indigenous to the Pacific coast of the United States, and measures only 4 inches long from beak to tail. These hummingbirds must remain light and small enough to maneuver the delicate aerial world that they inhabit, yet tough enough and fit enough to tirelessly seek out the pollen-laden flowers they need to survive. Just like o..
$189.95
In the lifetime of an avalanche shovel, how many times will it be used to uncover a buried person? Hopefully, if you take the proper precautions and have a bit of good luck, never. Ideally, this shovel will be used for more mundane tasks, like digging your stuck car out of a snowbank, building a sick jump, or scooping the occasional doggie surprise. However, if misfortune (or poor ..
$89.95
We like simple gear because it’s easy to use with cold hands, in a daze of calorie-debt, or under the light of a headlamp. Petzl’s Reverso is a classic example of a simple piece of equipment that does its job and does it well. Capable of rappelling and belaying, the Reverso weighs only 57g. Deep V-shaped friction channels provide precise braking power on skinnier rope while also qu..
$39.95
If you’re looking to ascend a rope, Petzl’s got your back! The Ascension is an aptly named ascender that will quickly have you at the top looking for the fastest way down. With a wide, glove-friendly hand-slot and an ergonomically molded grip, you will not lose your grasp even on the coldest days. The toothed cam provides great grip and is self-cleaning to work with dirty or icy ro..
$87.95
Sum’Tec is Petzl’s abbreviation for “somewhat technical.” Ok, not likely, but we are going to make the claim anyway and we’ll explain why. Light, and easily employed for daily use, its incredibly versatile design may be the ultimate axe for ski mountaineers. The 55cm length is perfectly suited for walking in the piolet-canne (cane) position or plunging the shaft up steep, firm s..
$209.95
Crystal Cards are crucial for analyzing snowpack-structure as the difference between a weak layer and a well-bonded layer doesn’t look a whole lot different to the naked eye. Crystals placed on the cards, however, become instantly recognizable and sizable. The BCA cards are available in two options, Polycarbonate and Aluminum. The polycarbonate version doesn’t absorb as much solar ..
$11.95
If you’re not familiar, thermometers are good at measuring the temperature of things. Now that you’re all caught-up with the intricacies of thermometers, this BCA version is one of the best on the market. While covering a large temperature-range, the tool is designed with an emphasis on cold snowpack. Accurately measuring temperature gradients is crucial for a detailed report while..
$34.95
A comprehensive set of snow-study tools in a handy kit. The BCA study kit is designed to be beginner-friendly due to its simple and self-contained natured, but it’s also used by expert forecasters for the same reasons. The durable fabric-case includes several pockets for dedicated snow-study equipment and a handle to hang it over the tip of your ski while in use. Even when packed f..
$119.95
CAMP is known for movement through technical terrain very efficient. Indeed, with the Kinetic Rewind Comp via ferrata set, flowing through the fixed-line sections of a Euro-tour or technical race is that much easier. 19mm Rewind webbing stays compressed and out of the way, so you can focus on moving instead of organizing lines at an anchor. Icarus carabiners open with one hand, so ..
$139.95
CAMP’s penchant for light ‘n fast gear is almost as geeky as ours. And we must say we're honored they chose Skimo blue for these awesome race crampons that were seemingly designed for our store (the Italians did admit they had us in mind). CAMP tasked some obsessive speed freaks with creating the fastest race crampon in the world. The plan is to further solidify podium finishes, to..
$209.95
The Petzl Micro Traxion has become an essential piece of hardware for modern crevasse rescue methods. This little device can be expediently used to haul a victim out with less rigging than traditional systems. It accomplishes this via a lightweight, self-contained, progress-capture pulley which obviates the need for more complex pulley/prussic combos. If you fall into a crevasse yo..
$144.95
In the unfortunate situation that you reach for your ARVA Reactor trigger handle, you’re going to want a canister attached to the other end. These high-strength canisters are built to withstand the pressure necessary to inflate your airbag and durable enough to tolerate the rough handling brought on by mountain travel. The canisters are available in two versions: Steel Air cy..
From $174.95
The weight of a wire-gate with the function of a traditional spring-gate? Sounds great! Petzl’s new Ange L (L for Large) weighs in at a svelte 34g with a seriously impressive 22kn major axis breaking strength. This is primarily due to the H-profile shaping. However, none of this matters if the gear doesn’t function properly. Luckily, the Ange is also incredibly well designed for sm..
$14.95
Weighing 15% less than classic Camalots, the Black Diamond Ultralights are the best cams for light ‘n fast technical ascents. Use them for protection while climbing and as an emergency anchor on the descent. The lobes have been exquisitely machined to save weight and anodized to stay clean and color-coded. A Dyneema-core stem has been employed which further sheds the grams without ..
From $99.95
The Laser Speed Light is another beautifully designed piece of kit from Petzl. It’s an ice screw comprised of a durable steel drill, a stout anodized aluminum tube, a compact aluminum hanger, and a foldable lever. The “LSL” represents a minimal weight impact for such a high level of insurance in the mountains. The aluminum tube is anodized for corrosion resistance which increases d..
$84.95
All the hardware you need to set up a haul system in one clean package. The Petzl Crevasse Rescue Kit (aka KIT SECOURS CREVASSE, naturally) is a compact self-contained collection of hauling hardware (no rope as in the RAD system). Using the rope you are hopefully already carrying, and the hardware in the kit, you can rest easy knowing that you are ready to tackle just about any pro..
$239.95
The Tibloc is light and compact ascending tool that should always be in your pack if you’re carrying rope. It’s perfect for self-rescue in a crevasse and ascending a rappel that didn’t quite make it to the dance floor. Rather than carrying around a full-size ascender, just hook a carabiner through the hole and the angled directional teeth go to work. The body is made of corrosion r..
$54.95
A sturdy aluminum probe with a focus on assembly speed. Mammut recognized that time is of the essence when probing, and the last thing you need is to waste time assembling your probe. The Speed Lock system is easy and secure, matching well with the stable aluminum segments. The tensioning cord is durable and the system can be used with gloves or mittens. The Mammut Speed Lock probe..
$84.95 From $64.95
A basic-yet-advanced aluminum shovel that won’t weigh you down. The Mammut Alugator Light features an anodized blade and telescopic shaft for some serious digging. The automatic zipper-lock system allows for quick assembly and deployment. The blade has stabilization ribs for rigidity, yet the back remains flat, which helps when cutting a snow profile. There are also strategically p..
$74.95
These kits enable refill of Mammut compressed air cartridges. Consisting of a gasket and cover plate, the Refill Kits are available in 3 or 20 unit quantities. These are the parts that go boom when a canister is triggered. Attach the cartridge to a compressed air source using an adapter and soon you’ll be ready to ski unstable snow (not recommended)...
$19.95
Rocketing through the atmosphere, Petzl's updated Meteor helmet seems to appear only as a brief flash of light whizzing past on the skin track. This is the first CE-certified "ski touring helmet", combining light weight protection and ventilation into one package. With the Meteor, Petzl has pioneered a cutting edge race helmet with side, front, and rear protection that will keep yo..
$94.95
The Petzl Gully is the axe we’ve been wanting to see for a long time. It blends the minimalism of a lightweight axe with the features of a larger, heavier, more technical axe that can be necessary for successful objective completion. Multiple head options allow you to select the correct tool for the job. Take the hammer for more technical objectives or choose the adze for general m..
$179.95
Mammut Barryvox is a classic name in the digital transceiver realm. However, this beacon is not the same old transceiver your uncle used. It has been completely revamped with the intention of being the simplest and most user-friendly beacon to date. Mammut nailed it. The user interface has been improved so one button handles all navigation through the concise menus. The exterior sw..
$384.95
Expanded polypropylene (EPP): that's the magic fairy dust used to make this helmet. This material along with a webbing retention harness translates to the Petzl Sirocco being the lightest climbing helmet made and infinitely adjustable to ensure a comfortable fit. EPP, in addition to being very light, maintains the ability to be somewhat flexible. A lesser touted benefit of this hel..
$114.95
Feel free to open the throttle a little further with the Salomon Mountain (MTN) Lab helmet. The ‘Lab is certified to both alpine skiing and mountaineering standards, so you are better protected if you sketch out. Plus, Salomon was listening to its backcountry team when they explained no one will wear it if it’s heavy, cumbersome, or hot. They innovated with a new 4D EPS constructio..
$249.95 From $159.95
The CAMP XLC 390 Automatic Crampons are the lightest 12-point crampons in the world, perfect for light and fast ski mountaineers that appreciate a longer front platform with an extra spike on the side. Enjoy safer ascents when booting up icy couloirs and safer traverses when crossing exposed faces with bulletproof snow. The XLC 390 is built especially for ski boots, with a simple w..
$159.95
Black Diamond held no punches when cutting weight for their LiteForge Screwgate Carabiner-- they even removed the unnecessary letters in 'light'. Do you know how serious you have to be about 'light is right' to change the spelling of a word? It's been spelled 'light' since Old English was a commonly spoken language. Those folks over at BD really aren't messing around. Of course, li..
$13.95
A triple-certified helmet that fits well and looks good! The Movement 3Tech Alpi has alpine-skiing, mountaineering, and biking certifications to meet European and International safety standards. It’s even certified under the American body (ASTM). The only thing more surprising than having a helmet that is certified for basically any outdoor activity is how Movement achieved it all ..
$244.95
The lightest way to get your steel on! The Irvis Hybrid crampons feature steel toes designed to hold up against rock impacts for those questionable routes. Petzl also understands that you don’t want to lug a massive crampon up a mountain, so with weight conservation in mind they paired the toes with an aluminum heel and connected the dots with the ultralight Cord-Tec linking system..
$189.95
Using what they call "wireframe technology," Petzl has created a feature-rich but impossibly light harness for high-altitude climbing and ski mountaineering. The Altitude is light enough for racing but robust and feature-packed for all your ski mountaineering needs. The harness is very slim and packable yet doesn’t bite into you while hanging. The Petzl Altitude is the new standard..
$99.95
Professionals in the ski community have trusted Mammut for years due to their reputation for making the highest quality products that manage to be packed full of important features while still being quick and easy to use - the Barryvox S is no exception. Despite its simplistic design, the Barryvox S is packed full of useful features. One of the more handy and important features is ..
$549.95 $412.00
The Leopard is a lightweight, aluminum crampon with a unique linkage Petzl calls Cord Tech. By eliminating the metal linking bar that is traditionally used between the toe and heel of the crampon the weight, and especially the bulk, of the crampon are greatly reduced. These are the crampons you forget are in your pack and won't hesitate to have with you just in case. Much easier to..
$159.95
When you’re engaged in a European ski mountaineering race, it’s much more encouraging to hear cries of “Allez, allez, allez!” than “Oh, la la la!” To cultivate a more uplifting ratio of these phrases, the Dynafit DNA crampons will be your trusty ami(e). Tailored specifically for ski racing, these full-aluminum, ten-pointed spikey bits are ideal on packed, wind-affected, or refrozen..
$249.95
The Harfang Crampon from Blue Ice is one of the more innovative pointy accessories we've seen in recent memory. Featuring a three-part design, the Harfang is a highly packable crampon that rivals the likes of the Petzl Irvis Hybrid. With front points made from steel and the rest being made from aluminum, you're bound to notice the weight reduction AND increased security. Blue Ice h..
$179.95

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