Ortovox Beast Shovel

The Beast is Ortovox’s lightweight all-rounder shovel, a good fit for beginners and demanding users alike. It weighs 580 g, has an 83 cm working length, and holds a 2.3 L scoop, which is a good size for working efficiently after a slide. High sidewalls and a pronounced center ridge keep the blade stiff, and a sharp, protected edge cuts into debris. The shaft is telescopic with a rapid-closure lock, and the handle switches over for left and right handers.

SPECS

• Blade: strain-hardened AL 5052 aluminum, anodized
• Handle: AL 6061 T6 aluminum (hardened)
• Telescopic shaft with rapid-closure lock
• Hybrid grip with oval handle cross section
• Switchover function for left and right handers
• High sidewalls and a pronounced center ridge for rigidity
• Sharp, protected cutting edge
• Pack-friendly blade with non-slip step grooves
• Working length: 83 cm
• Scoop volume: 2.3 L
• Weight: 580 g
• Ideal usage: ski touring 5/5, freeride 5/5

BUYER'S GUIDE

• Size - do the shaft and blade fit in your pack? (note: the bigger the shaft and blade - the more effective the shovel is).
  
• Weight - is it light enough to carry if you're ski touring?
• Durability - will it stand up to the rigors of digging through avalanche debris? (note: more durable shovels are inevitably heavier!)
  
• Grip: D-grip vs. T-Grip - D-Grips are more ergonomic and will make you a better shovel, but are heavier than a T-Grip.