Our top pickBCA Tracker S avalanche beaconThe transceiver every backcountry traveler wears — simple, fast, a longtime standard.$279.95Price as of Aug 23, 2026Shop on Amazon →Backcountry skiing and riding — earning turns beyond the ropes — is one of the great experiences in the Colorado mountains, and also one of the most serious. The gear below is the standard rescue kit that lets a trained group respond in the minutes that matter. Treat it as the price of admission, not a safety guarantee.
The rescue trio at a glance
Every person in the party carries all three. Buy the pieces separately, or the complete bundle:
The essentials
BCA Tracker S — the beacon (transceiver)
A digital avalanche transceiver every backcountry traveler wears, transmitting a signal so partners can find you if you’re buried — and switching to search mode to find them. The Tracker S is simple, fast, and a longtime standard. Everyone in your group needs one, worn under a layer and turned on all day.
- Simplicity is Speed
- Includes Harness and Batteries
- 5 Year Warranty
- Weight 7.2 oz / 205g
BCA Dozer — the shovel
A sturdy metal avalanche shovel (never plastic — it must chop hard avalanche debris) that packs down to fit in your bag. Digging is the slowest part of a rescue, so a real metal blade with a solid handle matters. One per person.
- The Dozer IT is BCA's most popular size avalanche shovel, made for the masses.
- BCA's new Dozer shovels feature ovo-concave shafts and low-profile, "stompable" blades. The front third of the shovel blade offers a smooth surface for clean snowpit walls during snow stability tests.
- With BCA's flat "stomp edge" on the blade, you can penetrate just about anything by adding body weight.
- Auto-engaging spring pins at the blade/shaft connection make for faster, hands-free assembly/deployment.
- BCA shovels lie flat in your pack with no protruding ferrule or "neck," leaving more room for other backcountry gear. All BCA extendable shovels are designed to meet the UIAA standard for avalanche rescue shovels.
BCA Tracker S Rescue Bundle — the complete trio
The simplest way to get all three essentials at once: the Tracker S beacon, a collapsible probe, and a metal shovel in one package. If you’re outfitting from scratch, this covers the full rescue kit — then get trained and practice with it.
- Complete Avalanche Rescue Kit – Includes BCA Tracker S Avalanche Beacon, 260cm Aluminum Avalanche Probe, and Rescue Shovel with Extendable Handle & Saw
- Trusted BCA Tracker S Beacon – Digital avalanche transceiver known for simplicity, fast signal processing, and dependable performance
- SnowBigDeal 260cm Aluminum Probe – Lightweight, durable construction with extended reach for accurate victim location during avalanche rescue
- SnowBigDeal Rescue Shovel with Integrated Saw – Extendable handle for improved leverage and an integrated saw for added backcountry versatility. Shovel converts to "hoe mode" for moving large amounts of snow
- Ideal for Backcountry Travel – Designed for snowmobiling, ski touring, splitboarding, freeride skiing, and avalanche-prone terrain
Step one is training, not gear
The most important investment is not equipment — it’s education. Before you travel in avalanche terrain:
- Take an avalanche course. An AIARE 1 (or equivalent) teaches you to read terrain, interpret the forecast, and run a rescue. It is the single best thing you can do.
- Check the forecast every day. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) publishes a free daily danger rating and discussion for every zone. Read it before every tour.
- Never go alone, and practice. Travel with trained partners, carry the trio, and practice beacon searches until you can find a buried signal fast — survival is measured in minutes.
- Consider an avalanche airbag pack as added insurance (it can help keep you near the surface), but it is a supplement to the trio and training, not a replacement.
Dress for the effort and the cold with moisture-wicking base layers and warm gloves, and know the altitude and weather. New to earning turns? Start with our backcountry skiing guide.
Avalanche safety gear FAQ
What avalanche safety gear do I need for the backcountry?
Every person in the group needs the rescue trio: a beacon (transceiver), a probe, and a metal shovel — and the training to use them. Many also carry an avalanche airbag pack. But no gear replaces avalanche education and good decision-making.
What is the avalanche rescue trio?
The three essentials for companion rescue: a beacon that transmits and searches for a buried person's signal, a collapsible probe to pinpoint their exact location under the snow, and a sturdy metal shovel to dig them out quickly. All three, on every person.
Do I really need training, or is the gear enough?
Training is essential — the gear is useless without it. An AIARE 1 course teaches terrain assessment, forecast reading, and rescue skills. Experienced, well-equipped people still die in avalanches; education and daily decision-making are what keep you alive.
Where do I check avalanche conditions in Colorado?
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) publishes a free daily avalanche forecast and danger rating for every zone in the state. Read it before every backcountry outing — Colorado's snowpack is notoriously tricky.
Can I use a plastic shovel for avalanche rescue?
No — use a metal-bladed avalanche shovel. Avalanche debris sets up like concrete, and plastic blades can crack or fail to cut it. A sturdy metal shovel that collapses to fit your pack is the standard.
Written by
Melissa
Melissa splits her year between Texas and Summit County, Colorado, where she has spent countless summers and winters hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the high country. She started Breckenmendations to help visitors make the most of Colorado's mountains with the gear, tips, and local know-how she wishes she'd had on her first trip up I-70.
Breckenmendations is written by locals who actually hike, ski, and explore Colorado — see how we pick what we recommend.