Best Snow Probes of 2026
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Snow probes are essential tools for anyone who spends time in the backcountry during the winter months. These devices are designed to measure the depth and density of snow, allowing users to assess the risk of avalanches and make informed decisions about their routes and activities. Snow probes come in a variety of lengths and materials, with collapsible options for easy storage and transport. Many backcountry enthusiasts consider snow probes to be a crucial part of their safety kit, along with beacons, shovels, and other essential gear.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Snow Probes
TerraWest Core 240 Avalanche Probe
The TerraWest Core 240 Avalanche Probe is a lightweight and strong snow probe designed to help you in an avalanche accident. Made of aluminum 7075 and equipped with a strong cord tensioning system, it features a large probe tip that can easily cut through snow slabs and ice. With 6 segments, a length of 240cm, and a collapsed length of 40cm, it weighs 240g and comes with a carry bag. It's pack-friendly and ideal for ski touring, snowmobiling, mountaineering, and more.
Backcountry Access Stealth 270 Probe
The Backcountry Access Stealth 270 Avalanche Probe is a mainstream probe designed for recreational use. Weighing only 10.4 oz / 295 g, it is lightweight and easy to carry. With an extended length of 106" / 270 cm and a collapsed length of 17.7" / 45 cm, it can quickly and easily be assembled and disassembled. The 47" / 1.2 cm diameter makes it easy to use even with gloves on.
G2 GO2GETHER 7075 Aluminum Avalanche Probe
The G2 GO2GETHER Snow Probe is crafted from high-quality aircraft aluminum alloy, ensuring it lasts for many years without needing replacement. Its folding design makes it compact and easy for you to carry and store, perfect for backcountry adventures. When folded, it measures just 16.9 inches, making it convenient to pack, yet it extends to over 8 feet to help you accurately measure snow depth. The probe's steel tip allows you to cut through snow and ice efficiently, which can be critical when searching for someone trapped under an avalanche. This tool is designed to make your rescue efforts quicker and more effective.
G2 GO2GETHER 7075 Aluminum Avalanche Probe
The G2 GO2GETHER Avalanche Probe is designed for safety and convenience in backcountry adventures. Made from durable aircraft aluminum alloy, this probe is built to last, ensuring you won’t need to replace it for years. Its user-friendly design allows you to quickly adjust the length of the snow shovel with a simple pop-up button, making it easy to set up in just minutes. The probe packs down to a compact size of 16.9 inches, weighing only 0.79 lbs, which makes it easy to carry. When fully extended, it reaches an impressive 106.2 inches, allowing you to effectively measure snow depth and assist with rescues in snowy conditions.
G2 GO2GETHER Avalance Kit Aluminum Snow Shovel and Probe
The G2 GO2GETHER Snow Shovel is made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, which makes it strong and long-lasting so you won’t need to replace it anytime soon. You can easily adjust the shovel’s length by pressing a pop-up button, allowing you to set it up quickly and comfortably for digging or snow removal. The shovel is lightweight, weighing only 1.1 lbs, and folds down to a compact 17 inches, making it easy to carry and store. The included snow probe also folds down small, yet extends over 8 feet, helping you measure snow depth or assist in rescue situations. This kit is designed to be practical and user-friendly for outdoor winter use.
G2 GO2GETHER 7075 Aluminum Avalanche Probe
The G2 GO2GETHER Snow Probe is made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, ensuring long-lasting durability so you won’t need to replace it often. Its folding design makes it easy to carry and store, as it can be compacted into a smaller size that fits conveniently in your pack. When unfolded, it extends to a length that’s perfect for measuring snow depth accurately, which is crucial for avalanche rescue situations. The steel tip also helps you cut through tough snow and ice, making it easier to locate and assist anyone trapped beneath the snow. This probe is a reliable tool for anyone heading into backcountry snow conditions.
TerraWest Core Quick Lock 320 cm Avalanche Probe
TerraWest Core Quick Lock 320 Avalanche Probe is designed to meet safety, practicality, and innovation guidelines. With a quick locking system, deployment time is reduced to 9 seconds. The probe comes with a release cover making it easy to use with one motion. The aluminium 7075 T6 material composition of the Pole is light and stiff, while the coated steel cord is robust and stable, ideal for tensioning. The 8-segment probe has a length of 320 cm and collapsed length of 40 cm.
BCA BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS Stealth 270 Probe
The BCA Stealth 270 Probe is designed to help you in avalanche rescue situations with its long reach and compact design. When fully extended, it measures 270 cm, giving you enough length to search through deep snow quickly. Despite its length, it folds down to just 45 cm, making it easy to carry and store in your backpack. Weighing only 11.5 ounces, this probe won’t add much extra weight to your gear. Plus, it meets the UIAA standard, ensuring it’s reliable and safe for avalanche rescue. This makes the BCA Stealth 270 Probe a practical and trustworthy choice for backcountry adventurers.
Backcountry Access Avalanche Probe
The Backcountry Access Stealth 240 Avalanche Probe is a compact, lightweight, and economical snow probe. With an extended length of 94" / 240 cm and a collapsed length of 15.7" / 40 cm, and a diameter of 43" / 1.1 cm, it is easy to carry and store. This product is perfect for those who want a reliable and affordable avalanche probe without sacrificing quality and performance.
SnowBigDeal American Avalanche Probe 2.0-10 Feet
The SnowBigDeal Avalanche Probe 2.0 offers clear, high-contrast depth markings that make it much easier for you to read measurements quickly, even in poor lighting or snowy weather. Its full 10-foot length lets you accurately check deep snow layers, which is crucial for snowmobilers, ski tourers, and rescue teams. You’ll appreciate how fast it assembles, snapping together in seconds so you can start your search without delay. Plus, it’s made from lightweight yet strong anodized aluminum, so it won’t weigh you down during long backcountry adventures while still standing up to tough conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does a snow probe do?
A snow probe, also known as an avalanche probe, is a metal rod used to probe through avalanche debris. It helps locate the precise position of a buried victim and measure the depth of the burial. Snow probes are a crucial part of avalanche safety equipment, enabling quick and efficient rescue actions.
2. Do I need a snow probe?
Yes, a snow probe is an essential piece of safety equipment for backcountry activities. Along with a transceiver and shovel, a snow probe is vital for rescuing a person buried by an avalanche. It aids in locating and pinpointing the buried individual, facilitating a faster and more effective rescue.
3. What size snow probe do I need?
The length of the snow probe you need depends on the depth of the snowpack and intended use. For shallower snowpacks, a shorter probe like the Stealth 240 may suffice. However, if you live in or travel to areas with deeper snowpacks, it is advisable to consider a longer probe for better reach and effectiveness.
4. How successful is an avalanche probe?
Studies have shown that using an avalanche probe significantly reduces rescue time. Without a probe, the extraction time for a buried victim is around 25 minutes, while with a probe, it decreases to approximately 11 minutes. Having a probe improves the chances of a successful rescue, especially within the critical first 15 minutes.
5. How long of an avalanche probe do I need?
When choosing an avalanche probe, consider the average depth of your local snowpack. As a general guideline, you should have a probe that is no shorter than two meters. Longer probes are even better if you have space in your pack. It's important to ensure the probe is compact and easy to stow for convenience.
6. Is a 240 probe enough?
For the average avalanche burial depth, a 240cm probe is typically sufficient. It is the common length for avalanche probes. However, it's important to ensure that the probe is also compact and easy to stow, as these factors contribute to its practicality and usability.
7. Is an avalanche probe necessary?
Yes, an avalanche probe is necessary for avalanche safety. It helps locate and measure the burial depth of a victim buried under avalanche debris. By pinpointing the exact location, rescuers can take quick action and expedite the rescue process, making it an essential part of any avalanche safety equipment.
8. How long should a snow probe be?
The length of an avalanche probe is typically around 240cm, which is sufficient for the average avalanche burial depth. However, it's important to ensure that the probe is compact and easy to stow. Probes usually consist of multiple elements and are designed to be at least 240cm long in total.
9. What is the lightest AVY probe?
The CARBON 240 SUPERLIGHT is our lightest avalanche probe, weighing just 185g. It is a 240cm probe designed for regular use and offers extreme lightweight convenience without compromising on functionality and reliability.
During our snow probe research, we found 48 snow probe products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,164 customer reviews through our big data system to write the snow probes list. We found that most customers choose snow probes with an average price of $58.43.
The snow probes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of snow probes, including TerraWest, BCA, G2 GO2GETHER, BCA BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS, K2. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 70 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.