Expert Opinions

No one knows backcountry safety better than our community of experts.

So before you go carving up fresh snow this winter, take a spin through their top six gear suggestions for the season.

We asked

What’s your favorite
beacon this season?

The experts said

Mammut Barryvox S

“If I had to pick just one item it would have
to be an avalanche transceiver.
It’s your lifeline to safety
in the event the unimaginable happens.”

DANIEL COMPAIN
SKI

Mammut
Barryvox S

Jean-Sebastien Massicotte
Ski and Climbing

Outdoor Media and Industry Professional

All you need to stay safe.

I just completed an avalanche course with this beacon. All the bells and whistle that you are expecting from a top of the line device. Simple to use and very quick and efficient to catch a signal. Multi burial is also easier to manage with the Barryvox S. Love how you can configurate it as you need to in a lot of ways. Small and very confortable to wear and use. Great safety device.

10Likelihood To
Recommend

Mammut
Barryvox S

“Excellent range, straightforward operations, great battery life, comfortable harness, relatively small. It’s up to you to practice and make good decisions, but having proper gear
is a prerequisite.”

ANDREW WHITEFORD
SKI AND HIKE

We asked

Which shovel are you
digging this year?

The experts said

Black Diamond Evac9

“Can’t say enough good things about this shovel. If you’re looking for a quality shovel, this is it!”

CHRIS GRATTON
HIKE AND SNOWBOARD

Black Diamond
Evac 9

Christopher Cawdrey
Safety & Rescue, Ski

Law Enforcement

Great Shovel.

I've used the Evac 7 copiously and even though I’m very fond of that shovel, the Evac 9 seems to be even better. It’s slightly heavier than the 7 but I’m okay with that trade-off for both the profile, and added size.

10Likelihood To
Recommend

Black Diamond
Evac 9

We asked

What’s your go-to
avalanche probe?

The experts said

BCA Stealth 270

“Very compact when broken down
and fits nicely in any bag. Quickly locks into place,
and is easy to handle with gloves on.”

MEAGHAN MITCHELL
HIKE, CAMP AND SNOWBOARD

Back Country Access
BCA Stealth 270

Mark Schultheis
Ski

Outdoor World Retail Employee

Overall strong deal

Probe pole is easy to deploy and the tip went right through the snow and layers underneath easily.

10Likelihood To
Recommend

Back Country Access
BCA Stealth 270

We asked

What’s your preferred pack
with a deployable airbag?

The experts said

Mammut Flip
Removable Airbag 3.0

Mammut
Flip Removable
Airbag 3.0

Meaghan Mitchell
Hike, Camp and Snowboard

Healthcare Professional

Perfect Airbag!

Have not stopped raving about this bag since I started using it a few weeks ago! Mammut nailed it with this one. Lightweight, compact airbag. Being a petite female, I have struggled with airbags being too big & awkward-fitting over the years. Can tighten this nicely & I barely notice I even have it on. Furthermore, the design is so well thought out. It has spots for all your essentials: goggles/phone, avy gear, water bladder, radio, poles, extra layer, etc.

10Likelihood To
Recommend

Mammut
Flip Removable
Airbag 3.0

“The access to the main compartment from the back is my favorite part. The pack can lay face down while you’re switching over, so the back isn’t laying in the snow to then get your back wet! Quality materials used that I expect will last a long time.”

MEAGHAN MITCHELL
HIKE, CAMP AND SNOWBOARD

We asked

Which GPS satellite communication device is by your side?

The experts said

inReach Explorer®+

“Very handy and
vastly expands the functionality of any GPS tracker.”

SEAN HUNTER
CAMP, CLIMB AND HIKE

Garmin
inReach Explorer®+

Sean Hunter
Camp, Climb and Hike

American Alpine Club Member

Fantastic GPS device. The standard.

This is a fast GPS device that just works. The + is preloaded with topo maps in the US. This GPS device needs a subscription from Garmin to work. The topos look amazing and are very detailed. This device can also use the Iridium GPS network. That means email and sms are available through the device. This really helped peace of mind for my wife while I was in the back country and canyons of Utah.

10Likelihood To
Recommend

Garmin
inReach Explorer®+

We asked

What’s the first aid kit
at the top of your list?

The experts said

Arva Equipment First Aid
Kit Pro Rescuer
(with Components)

“I carry the this medical kit and a Sawyer splint on all backcountry ski trips no matter what. Injuries or sickness can happen and you must be prepared. My kit is lightweight and easy to transfer from each pack I use.
Having a first aid kit is as important as an avalanche beacon! Carry it.”

Andrea Daniels
HIKE AND CLIMB

“The most important piece of gear is knowledge, and a knowledgeable partner.
There’s no replacement for this.”

Know your avalanche terrain
Find an AIARE Course Provider near you

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Special thanks to our experts for
contributing their product knowledge:

Daniel Compain
Jean-Sebastien Massicotte
Andrew Whiteford
Chris Gratton
Christopher Cawdrey

Meaghan Mitchell
Mark Schultheis
Sean Hunter
Andrea Daniels

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY

Six questions.
Six expert opinions.

No one knows backcountry safety better than our community of experts.

We asked