Avalanche beacons

What is an avalanche beacon or transceiver?

An avalanche beacon, also known as avalanche transceiver, is an electronic device you carry while ski touring, splitboarding or freeriding. The beacon allows you to find someone buried by an avalanche or to be found.

How does an avalanche beacon work?

The beacon has a transmit and a search mode. In the off-piste the transceiver is always in transmit mode and continuously emits a signal. If you are caught in an avalanche, another avalanche transceiver can pick up that signal.

If someone else is caught in an avalanche, you switch your avalanche transceiver to search mode. The transceiver picks up the signal from the victim's transceiver, which helps to locate them quickly.

What to look for when buying an avalanche beacon?

All avalanche beacons are designed to be intuitive to use. So in a stressful situation the beacon works as simply as possible. The best avalanche beacon is always the one you have the most experience with. If you have no experience, think about what will work best for you. Do you, for example, want a large screen for better readability? A navigation system with only beeps or voice prompts? Other things to consider are the search range, battery life and the type.

Want more information and tips on what to look for when buying an avalanche beacon? Read our buyer's guide on choosing the right avalanche beacon.

Always use with a probe and shovel

You should always use an avalanche beacon together with a probe and shovel. With a transceiver you locate an avalanche victim, but without a probe and shovel you can't do anything afterwards. In short: all three are essential to get an avalanche victim out from under the snow.

Avalanche kits

We also stock complete avalanche kits supplied with an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. 

Buying an avalanche beacon at Snowcountry

In our collection you'll find reliable top brands such as Mammut, Arva, Ortovox, Pieps and BCA. That way you're always assured of an avalanche transceiver of the highest quality. All beacons in our range are intuitive and reliable. If you're unsure between beacons, always choose the one you have the most experience with. If you have no experience, look at which avalanche transceiver seems to work best for you.

Of course you can contact our experts in avalanche safety with questions or for advice. They have experience with the transceivers in our collection and are happy to help you.