Snowshoeing

What is an avalanche transceiver?

• If recreate in snow in the backcountry, a transceiver is an essential safety device, along with a probe and shovel.
• Transceivers help you locate a person buried in an avalanche or others find you if you’re buried.

What features should I look for?

• Analog or digital: Most modern transceivers are digital, though some are both digital and analog.
• Multiple burials: Enables searchers to pick up multiple buried victims. Most brands offer multiple burial tracking, even in basic models.
• Marking function: Allows the searcher to mark or "flag" the location of each buried person.
• Display screen: Shows direction and distance to a buried person. Premium models may have larger, high-contrast screens.
• Range: Brands will list in meters the circular range (typically 40 to 70) in which one transceiver can sense others’ signals.

Where do you plan to snowshoe? 

• Flat terrain: Less expensive, have a simple binding system, provide modest traction, no heel lift for climbing steep slopes.  
• Rolling terrain: Moderate price and traction, have a sturdy and adjustable binding system, some include heel lift. 
• Mountain terrain: Pricier, aggressive crampon system for traction, advanced binding system, heel lift in most styles. 

Sizing snowshoes 

The more weight (you and your gear), the more surface area required for flotation. Check that your maximum load fits within the snowshoe's rated capacity. 

• Powder snow: Use bigger (longer) snowshoes. 
• Compact, wet snow and packed trails: Smaller snowshoes work well.
• Steep (but not powdery) slopes and icy terrain: Easier to negotiate with smaller snowshoes. 

Which snowshoe binding is right for you? 

• Rotating (or floating): Reduce leg fatigue when climbing, shed snow well and good for climbing steep slopes. 
• Fixed: Less efficient but allows a more natural walking movement on flat and hard-packed terrain.