Gear Up for the
Winter Backcountry
Rent avalanche safety equipment, backcountry radios, satellite communicators, GPS navigation devices and emergency gear for snowmobiling, backcountry skiing, snowboarding and other winter adventures.
The 3 Avalanche Rescue Essentials
If you’re traveling in avalanche terrain, start with the basics: an avalanche transceiver (beacon), shovel and probe. Each person in the group should carry all three and know how to use them.
LOCATE
Avalanche Beacon
Search for and locate the transmitting beacon of a buried partner.
PINPOINT
Avalanche Probe
Pinpoint the buried person’s position and determine burial depth.
DIG
Avalanche Shovel
Excavate the buried person once their location has been pinpointed.
BCA Tracker Avalanche Beacon
OER’s Tracker avalanche beacon rentals include the beacon, harness and batteries. Designed for companion rescue in avalanche terrain.
Avalanche Shovel & Probe
Complete the companion-rescue system with a backcountry shovel and collapsible avalanche probe. OER rents the shovel and probe together.
Equipment alone is not a substitute for avalanche education, training, terrain assessment, good decision-making or practice with companion-rescue techniques.
Consider an Avalanche Airbag
An avalanche airbag is an additional piece of avalanche safety equipment. It should complement — not replace — your beacon, shovel and probe. OER offers multiple BCA Float E2 options for snowmobilers, skiers, snowboarders and other backcountry users.
BCA E2 MtnPro Vest
Sled-specific airbag vest designed for high-performance mountain riding, with integrated body protection and E2 airbag system.
BCA Float E2-15 Turbo
Compact E2 avalanche airbag option with BC Link integration and dedicated shovel/probe storage.
BCA Float E2-25 Turbo
Sled-focused E2 airbag pack with additional carrying capacity, shovel/probe storage and backcountry features.
BCA Float E2-35
Larger-capacity E2 avalanche airbag pack suited to skiing, snowboarding and other backcountry snowsports.
Stay Connected With Your Group
Backcountry partners don’t always stay within shouting distance. Terrain, trees, weather and distance can separate riders or skiers quickly. BC Link radios provide real-time communication within your group.
BCA BC Link 2.0 Radio
Designed for backcountry use with a glove-friendly Smart Mic. Use radios to communicate plans, share observations, warn partners of hazards and help keep the group connected while traveling.
Stay Connected Beyond Your Group
Radios help you communicate with the people traveling with you. But what happens when your group needs help from someone who isn’t there? When your winter trip takes you beyond reliable cell coverage, satellite communication adds an important way to reach the outside world.
Your avalanche gear helps your group respond. Satellite communication can help you reach beyond it.
Not every backcountry emergency is an avalanche. Injuries, mechanical problems, getting lost, severe weather or an overdue group can all create situations where outside communication matters. For remote winter travel, we strongly recommend considering a satellite communicator in addition to your core safety equipment.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Compact satellite communicator with two-way messaging, tracking, location sharing and interactive SOS for trips beyond cell coverage.
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus
Compact satellite communicator with text plus voice and photo messaging capabilities, tracking, location sharing and interactive SOS.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i
Rugged handheld GPS with TopoActive maps plus inReach satellite messaging, tracking and interactive SOS.
ACR ResQLink PLB
Dedicated 406 MHz GPS personal locator beacon for travelers who want a simple emergency distress-signaling device.
Iridium 9575 Extreme
Rugged satellite phone for groups, guides and travelers who need actual real-time voice communication outside cellular coverage.
Build Your Backcountry Winter Kit
This isn’t an either/or decision. Different equipment solves different problems. Start with the equipment required for your terrain and activity, then add communication and other layers appropriate for your trip.
Traveling in Avalanche Terrain?
Start with the companion-rescue essentials. Each member of the group should carry all three and know how to use them.
Beacon + Shovel + ProbeWant an Additional Avalanche Layer?
Consider an avalanche airbag in addition to — never instead of — the three companion-rescue essentials.
Avalanche AirbagNeed to Talk Within Your Group?
Keep riders, skiers or partners connected while moving through terrain where shouting isn’t practical.
BCA BC Link RadioNeed Communication Beyond Cell Service?
Add two-way satellite messaging, tracking, location sharing and interactive SOS.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 or Mini 3 PlusNeed Navigation + Communication?
Carry dedicated handheld GPS navigation together with inReach satellite communication.
Garmin GPSMAP 67iNeed Actual Voice Calls?
Choose a satellite phone when real-time voice conversations with people outside your group are important.
Iridium 9575 ExtremeDifferent Tools. Different Jobs.
One of the most important things to understand is that these devices do not replace one another. Each solves a different problem in the backcountry.
Avalanche Beacon
Helps companions locate a person buried in an avalanche. It is not a satellite distress beacon.
Avalanche Probe
Used after the beacon search to pinpoint a buried person’s location and burial depth.
Avalanche Shovel
Used to excavate a buried person after their location has been identified.
Avalanche Airbag
An additional avalanche safety layer intended to help reduce burial risk. It does not replace beacon, shovel or probe.
BC Link Radio
Provides real-time radio communication among members of your backcountry group.
Garmin inReach
Provides satellite messaging, tracking and interactive SOS beyond cellular coverage.
Personal Locator Beacon
A dedicated satellite distress device. A PLB is not an avalanche beacon and does not locate avalanche burials.
Satellite Phone
Provides real-time voice communication with people outside your group where satellite coverage is available.
Backcountry Communication Options
Once your avalanche rescue essentials are covered, compare the communication tools that can help keep your group connected and provide a way to reach beyond it.
| Capability | BC Link | Mini 2 | Mini 3 Plus | GPSMAP 67i | ResQLink PLB | Iridium Sat Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Group communication | Lightweight satellite messaging | Expanded satellite messaging | Navigation + messaging | Emergency backup | Actual voice calls |
| Communicates Within Group | Yes — radio | Yes — satellite messaging | Yes — satellite messaging | Yes — satellite messaging | No routine messaging | Yes — voice/SMS |
| Reach Outside Group Beyond Cell Service | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Emergency distress only | Yes |
| Two-Way Satellite Text | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | SMS capability |
| Voice Communication | Radio voice | No | Voice messages | No | No | Yes — satellite voice calls |
| Photo Messaging | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Dedicated GPS Navigation | No | Basic navigation features | Basemap, routes & waypoints | Handheld GPS & TopoActive maps | No | GPS location features |
| Emergency Feature | Group radio communication | Interactive SOS | Interactive SOS | Interactive SOS | 406 MHz distress alert | Dedicated SOS |
| OER Base Rental | $20 / 4 days | $60 / 4 days | $75 / 4 days | $65 / 4 days | $10 / 4 days | $125 / 7 days |
Avalanche transceivers serve a separate purpose from all devices in this communication comparison. An avalanche transceiver is designed for companion rescue and should not be confused with a satellite communicator or personal locator beacon.
Before You Head Into the Winter Backcountry
Understanding what each piece of equipment does is just as important as choosing what to rent.
What are the basic must-have avalanche rescue tools?
Beacon, shovel and probe are the three basic companion-rescue tools. Each person traveling in avalanche terrain should carry all three and know how to use them. The beacon helps locate a buried partner, the probe pinpoints their position and burial depth, and the shovel is used for excavation.
Does an avalanche airbag replace a beacon, shovel and probe?
No. An avalanche airbag is an additional layer of avalanche safety equipment. It complements rather than replaces the beacon, shovel and probe companion-rescue system.
Is a Garmin inReach the same thing as an avalanche beacon?
No. An avalanche beacon — also called an avalanche transceiver — is used by companions to locate someone buried in an avalanche. A Garmin inReach is a satellite communicator used for messaging, tracking and interactive SOS beyond cellular coverage. They perform completely different jobs.
Why carry a satellite communicator if I already have avalanche gear?
Avalanche rescue equipment helps your group respond to an avalanche burial, but it does not provide a way to contact people outside your group. A satellite communicator can provide two-way communication beyond cell coverage for injuries, mechanical problems, navigation problems, severe weather and other situations where outside assistance may be needed.
What’s the difference between a BC Link radio and an inReach?
A BC Link is primarily for real-time radio communication between members of your group. An inReach communicates through satellites and can reach contacts outside your group when cellular service isn’t available. For many remote trips, the two devices complement one another rather than compete with one another.
Which inReach is best for snowmobiling or winter backcountry travel?
The Mini 2 is a strong option when compact size and basic satellite messaging are the priority. The Mini 3 Plus adds expanded messaging capabilities including voice and photo messaging. The GPSMAP 67i is a strong choice when you also want dedicated handheld GPS navigation.
Does my inReach rental include satellite service?
Yes. OER inReach rentals are activated with satellite service for the rental period. Usage details depend on the applicable OER rental plan.
Can cold weather affect electronic equipment?
Yes. Cold conditions can affect battery performance and electronic devices have specified operating and charging temperature ranges. Begin your trip with equipment properly charged, understand the device’s operating requirements and protect electronics from extreme cold when practical.
Is renting avalanche equipment enough to make backcountry travel safe?
No. Equipment is only one part of backcountry risk management. Avalanche education, training, current avalanche information, terrain assessment, decision-making and regular practice with your rescue equipment are also important.
When should I reserve my winter backcountry equipment?
We always recommend booking your rental as early as possible to avoid out of stock gear. We also recommend choosing a start date a few days in advance of your departure/use date in order to avoid UPS shipping issues outside our control and to give you more time to familiarize yourself with the equipment.
Be Ready for the Winter Backcountry.
Start with the right avalanche rescue equipment, then add the communication, navigation and additional safety layers that make sense for your trip.
Explore Winter Backcountry Rentals →
