For quite awhile, I've used the Voile XLM shovel---small metal blade, short handle, 16 oz., but strong---I've carved out many a snowcave with it. My new avy shovel is the somewhat heavier (23 oz.) BD Deploy 7 but the larger blade and handle, unique handle storage, and greater efficiency makes it the Avy blade I turn to. Stay away from plastic bladed avy shovels. (well, everyone here seems to know that but here's some reason's why, anyway----
http://www.telemarktips.com/TeleNews69.html
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