Your shovel blade should fit easily in your backpack. It should be strong and capable of chopping through hard and dense avalanche debris. Some shovel blades are flat, some are curved, and some models have serrated blades that help cut through snow and ice. When digging snow pits and making smooth walls, the shape and angle of the shovel blade is a factor to consider; a flat blade will help you create a smoother pit wall.

Handles and Grips - Look for a shovel that feels good in your hands while digging and fits inside your backpack. Anything on the outside of your pack is at risk of getting ripped off during a fall. Most shovels have telescoping shafts that give you several leverage options. Longer shafts give you more leverage for digging; short shafts are more maneuverable in tight spaces. Shafts that are oblong or triangular in cross section can offer increased rigidity and strength. There are several common grip types. T- and L-shaped grips are often lighter and more compact, while larger D-shaped grips are sometimes more comfortable to hold and can be used with mittens. Choose a shovel grip that works well for you and your hands. Some shovels offer the ability to configure the shovel as a hoe; there are times when the most efficient method of moving snow is to chop and drag it.

Weight - Sure, light is right when touring, but your shovel is not the place to cut back on weight. You want an absolutely dependable tool for effective digging and shoveling during a rescue situation – if in doubt, go a bit heavier.