Shovel blade as an emergency snowshoe
This clever tip and photos (shared with permission) come from Graybird Guiding, a Seattle based guide company that not only leads some sweet ski trips, but also has an Instagram full of solid advice. Connect with them at their website and on Instagram. (Check out their hashtag #sknowmore for specific backcountry ski tips.)
Lost your ski in the deep stuff? Broken ski? This clever tip just might get you back to the trailhead with minimal postholing.
If you have a long ski strap or two, and a shovel with some holes in it, you can probably improvise a mini snowshoe and clomp your way back out. The larger the shovel, the less you’ll sink in. Yet another reason why caring a couple of extra ski straps is a fine idea! Here's a whole article on that topic.
I must say this is a pretty clever trick; I don't think I ever would've thought of this!
