Do you go tour skiing or split boarding? Then the avalanche airbag is one of the most important items to take with you in the backcountry, alongside an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe. An avalanche airbag increases your chances of survival when caught in an avalanche. On our website, you'll find dozens of avalanche backpacks, so which one should you choose?

How does an avalanche airbag work?

In reality, you can't make a wrong choice because all the avalanche airbags we sell meet the proper safety standards (EN16716). And the avalanche backpacks work on the same basic concept. They rapidly inflate a 'balloon' that increases your volume, improving your chances of ending up on top of the avalanche. This is based on the Brazil Nut effect: larger objects will be pushed upward when surrounded by smaller objects. The small objects are the snowflakes, and the large object is, of course, the victim. The larger the object, the stronger the effect, and the more and faster you are pushed upward.

If the operation of all avalanche airbags is the same, what should you consider when making your choice? This comes down to three things: What type of system do you want? What size of backpack do you need? And what specific features and characteristics suit you?

What specifications are important when purchasing an avalanche airbag system?

When buying an avalanche airbag, it's important to consider the features that matter to you. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Do you want an electric or mechanical airbag system?
  • What size of avalanche backpack do you need?
  • Weight of the avalanche airbag system

Do you want an electric or mechanical airbag system?

Avalanche airbags for skiing and snowboarding can be divided into mechanical systems with a gas cylinder and electric systems.

Mechanical avalanche airbag systems with a cartridge

Mechanical systems are straightforward in their operation and highly reliable. The backpack contains a gas-filled cylinder (also known as a cartridge) that rapidly inflates the airbag when you pull a lever. However, the cylinder system can make it challenging to take the airbag on an airplane. Additionally, you need to replace the cylinder after deploying the airbag.

Advantages mechanical avalanche airbag systems

  • Cylinder systems are usually lightweight
  • Relatively affordable systems
  • Easy to use
  • Proven reliability
  • Wide variety of different brands and backpack types to choose from

Disadvantages mechanical avalanche airbag systems

  • Flying with a gas cylinder is often difficult and not always possible
  • Not possible to pull mulitple times in a row
  • After testing the system, you need to replace the cylinder

Electric avalanche airbag systems

Since 2015, electric airbag systems have been available. The airbag is inflated by an electric motor after you pull a lever. There are two significant advantages to an electric airbag: you can easily take it on an airplane, and you can test the inflation without having to visit a store to replace a gas cylinder.

Electric airbag systems can further be divided into systems with a battery and supercapacitor.

Airbags with a battery

Battery systems like the Black Diamond and Pieps Jetforce have a battery that powers the inflation motor. The battery lasts for several weeks, and you can activate it three to six times before recharging is required. If you depart with a fully charged battery, you don't need to worry about it running out. Like all other avalanche airbag systems, those with a battery meet European Standards (EN 16716), ensuring they've been thoroughly tested in wet and cold conditions.

However, as with any battery, it will degrade over time and require care. For example, don't store the backpack for a year with an empty battery. Check for more information on how to take care of the battery the manual of the avalanche airbag in question. This is because it varies from system to system.

Advantages avalanche airbag with a battery

  • Multiple activations on a single battery charge
  • Easy to take on the plane
  • Rechargable and infinitely testable
  • Can be connected to Bluetooth
  • Three minutes after opening, the airbag deflates to create an air pocket under the snow

Disadvantages avalanche airbag with a battery

  • The battery adds extra weight
  • the battery requires some care and attention to keep it in good conditions
  • Limited choice of backpacks
  • Higher purchase price than mechanical systems

Airbags with capacitors

In addition to electric avalanche airbag systems with batteries, there are also airbags that operate using supercapacitors. This system combines the simplicity of a gas cylinder system with the advantages of a battery system without the drawbacks. With supercapacitors, there is no chemical wear and tear, resulting in a longer lifespan compared to a battery.

Furthermore, the capacitor has enough charge to deploy the airbag once. It can be recharged using a USB phone charger or penlite battery, making it ready-to-go again within 20 to 40 minutes.

Advantages avalanche airbag with capacitors

  • Lightweight electric system
  • Easy to bring on airplanes
  • Quickly rechargeable and infinitely testable
  • Long lifespan
  • Not highly temperature-sensitive (effective operation between -50°C and 80°C)

Disadvantages avalanche airbag with capacitors

  • The system takes up quite a bit of space in the bag
  • Supercapacitors charge quickly but leak power, making batteries better for long-term energy supply

What size avalanche airbag do you need?

An important consideration is the volume you need, which refers to the bag's capacity, not the airbag balloon's capacity. This is a matter of personal preference, but you can use the following guidelines:

15-20L
If you stay in the ski area and only carry essentials, a small bag (15 to 20 liters) is sufficient. This size offers enough space for a shovel, probe, a vest, and some food. It's commonly used by freeriders who use lifts, helicopters, or snowmobiles.

25-30L
This is the most common size (25 to 30 liters). Ideal for a day of ski touring, providing additional space for climbing skins, crampons, and an extra midlayer. And also freeriders opt for this size when they need to carry extra gear.

30-40L
If you're going on multi-day hut trips and need to carry extra equipment, opt for a bag between 30 and 40 liters.

Weight of the avalanche airbag system

The weight of your airbag includes not only the system but also the type of bag. Therefore, don't focus solely on the system weight; consider the bag itself. For example, the Mammut RAS system is lighter than the Ortovox Avabag system, but Ortovox bags are often slightly lighter than Mammut bags, making Ortovox slightly lighter overall.

Some bags are available in Light or Ultra Light variants. Keep in mind that weight savings in avalanche backpacks often come from omitting features and using lighter materials. Lighter materials are often more delicate or less durable than the robust materials used otherwise.

Other specifications to consider

In addition to the mentioned characteristics, there are a few other specifications to consider:

  • Presence of a diagonal and/or A-frame carrying system for skis
  • Presence of a vertical and/or horizontal carrying system for a snowboard
  • Loops for an ice pick or ice axe
  • Access to the main compartment through the back panel
  • Length of the back panel
  • Men's or women's model (not applicable to all airbags)

What types of avalanche airbag systems are there?

As mentioned earlier, you can't make a wrong choice in the type of avalanche airbag system. All systems are extensively tested, meet safety standards, and operate on the same concept. However, there are differences between avalanche backpacks that are important for your choice. Some backpack brands integrate an avalanche airbag system into their existing bags, while others offer standalone systems. For example, the Alpride E1 and E2 airbag system is integrated into the existing backpacks of Deuter and Osprey. Below we discuss the different type of avalanche airbag systems and their pros and cons.

After purchasing an avalanche airbag

Have you bought an avalanche airbag? It is important to become familiar with the bag and the system. Practice deploying the airbag so that you understand how the trigger works. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need the avalanche airbag, you must know what to do. And don’t forget to read the manual thoroughly.

Do you have an airbag system with an electric battery? The manual will provide more information on how to properly maintain the battery so you can enjoy it for a long time. For instance, you may need to recharge the battery if you store it for an extended period. Some electric bags even come with a deep storage mode. In short, learn how to best care for your battery.

Are you heading out with your avalanche airbag? Always inspect the avalanche backpack before use and test the system by deploying the airbag at least once a year. This is very simple with an electric airbag. For a cylinder airbag, keep in mind that you will need to replace the empty cylinder with a new one. If you purchased the airbag from Snowcountry, you can easily and affordably exchange it with us by ordering a cartridge exchange. You can identify this by the blue arrow next to the product as shown below. You send in your empty cartridge, and we will send you a full one in return.

All Cartridges

What should be in your avalanche gear besides the airbag?

In addition to an avalanche airbag, you'll need an avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, and avalanche beacon. Every airbag has storage options for a shovel and probe. Besides these three essential items, we also recommend that at least one person in your group carries a well-equipped first aid kit.

Flying with an avalanche airbag

As mentioned, there are specific rules for flying with avalanche airbags. If you plan to fly with your airbag, be sure to consider this in your choice. If you want to learn more about flying with your airbag, read our article: flying with an airbag.

Note: An avalanche airbag doesn't make an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe obsolete! These items are part of the standard equipment for every skier and snowboarder off-piste. See our complete sets including an avalanche shovel, probe, and beacon.