Avalanche Gear

Resist the urge to leave heavy, bulky shovels and probes in the car by buying light and compact gear—where appropriate. What makes sense on a sunny, consolidated spring day may well be irresponsible when conditions change. Be sure you know how to use your avalanche gear, and practice regularly to stay familar. Finally: a shovel, beacon, and probe are tools of last resort. Your survival depends on not getting caught in the first place. I highly recommend taking an avalanche class from your local mountain guide or mountaineering school.

Beacon-wise, I recommend Ortovox's 3+. The technology is modern and the interface is simple. This is a good go-to choice for the vast majority of backcountry users.