Gear check before winter
Co-founder of WEMountain
Beacon, probe, shovel, airbag pack, skis and clothing: Dominique Perret’s pre-season ritual to start the winter with a free mind.
In this article
Why check your gear before winter?
The peaks are turning white, the first powder shots are popping up… and the itch is back. Before you click into your bindings, Dominique Perret, co-founder of WEMountain, has a pre-season ritual for you: a full check of your gear, at home, in no rush, coffee in hand.
Why now? Because gear that has spent six months at the back of a cupboard deserves a gentle wake-up. And because your rescue gear has one special feature: it’s mostly there for others.
“Your beacon helps your friends find you; your shovel and probe are what you’ll be holding if they need you. Getting it ready is already a way of looking after your group.”
Dominique Perret, co-founder of WEMountain
Your skis, board and clothing
Skis, snowboard, bindings and skins
Your clothing: the waterproof test
Try everything on: are your jacket and pants still properly waterproof? Gloves, hat, goggles, warm layers, all there? Now is the perfect time to re-proof or replace anything that has done its time.
Your rescue gear: the in-depth check
Beacon, probe and shovel are an inseparable trio: one without the others won’t get a buried person out. The airbag pack comes on top. Still unsure about your beacon? Our guide to choosing your avalanche transceiver will help you see clearly. The 4 checks at a glance:
Assembly with your gloves on
Cartridge or fan
1. Your beacon: 6 points to check
- The battery compartment. Open it and look for any corrosion on the contacts. If you see some on the casing itself, contact the manufacturer.
- Fresh batteries. Put them in, even if the indicator says the old ones are fine, and use the type the manufacturer recommends (often alkaline, not rechargeable).
- The update. Visit the manufacturer's website: a software update may be available. While you're there, check that there's no recall on your model.
- The self-test and the group check. Run the self-test, then do a group check: one transmits, the other receives, then swap. Keep phones and all other electronic devices at a distance during the test.
- The casing and the harness. Inspect the casing (cracks on the corners), the harness and the leash.
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The age of the device. Has your beacon seen a few winters? Ask the manufacturer about its lifespan: recent beacons are simpler and more accurate in search.
A beacon in perfect shape is only as good as the way you use it: read our article on the avalanche transceiver search to brush up on the right moves before your first outing.
2. Your probe: 4 checks
- The locking. Unfold it and lock it fully: the tensioning system should hold firmly and the sections should sit tight together.
- The cable and sections. Check the cable, the joints between sections (any cracks) and that no section is bent.
- The depth markings. They should still be easy to read: they tell you how deep to dig.
- New probe? Remove the original tie or packaging now: on the day, every second counts.
3. Your shovel: assembly with your gloves on
- Full assembly. The shaft slots in and locks properly, and the blade is free of cracks or warping.
- The glove test. Do it with your winter gloves on: that's where it really counts.
4. Your airbag pack: cartridge or fan
- Cartridge system. Weigh the cartridge without its protective cap and compare it with the weight given by the manufacturer. If the difference is beyond their tolerance, have it replaced at a specialist dealer. Also check the thread and the seal.
- Fan system. Fully charge the battery, run the built-in diagnostic and check for updates. These systems often allow a test deployment at no cost: make the most of it.
- The test deployment. It's the best way to feel how hard you need to pull the handle. With a cartridge system, do it somewhere you can get it refilled.
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Repacking and straps. Repack the airbag following the manual, then check the seams, the straps (including the leg strap), the buckles, and that the handle is easy to reach.
To dig deeper into airbag systems, read our interview with Marc-Antoine Schaer, founder of Alpride. And above all: take your time and be thorough. If in doubt, your shop or the manufacturer is the best place to get help.
OFFPISTE e-learning course
Your gear is ready. What about your reflexes?
A well-packed bag isn’t enough: training is what makes the difference on the day. OFFPISTE gives you the basics to read the terrain, the conditions and your group, before your first outing.
- 3 hours online: 10 lessons, 18 videos, 12 quizzes
- The AVOID method: around 80% of the course is about prevention
- WEM certification at the end, in English or French
- Rated 5/5 by 143 riders
The best gear is the gear you never use
AVOID: the right slope at the right time
Well-prepared gear is good. Knowing how to use it is better. And best of all is never having to take it out of your pack.
That’s the heart of WEMountain: prevention. Most of our courses are dedicated to AVOID, the art of reading the terrain, the conditions and your group to pick the right slope at the right time. Less stress, more fun, and days that all end on a sunny terrace.
As we say in our podcast “Why gear isn’t enough”, training is what turns a well-packed bag into real safety. And to sharpen how you read the terrain, check out our tips on spotting specific terrains.
Your knowledge check in 3 steps
So before your first outing, treat yourself to a little knowledge check too. Pick your starting point:
A few lessons and quizzes are enough to bring the right reflexes back.
Done OFFPISTE? The UPGRADE takes you towards ski touring and bigger routes.
A T-Learning day with a certified instructor, before the season is in full swing.
No course yet? Discover the WEMountain e-learning courses, starting with OFFPISTE. Already trained? UPGRADE opens the BACKCOUNTRY level, and T-Learning puts you in real situations, with all the benefits of mountain guiding.
FAQ: your questions before the season
When should you check your avalanche gear?
Before your first outing of the season, as soon as the peaks turn white: you have time to order a part, get a cartridge refilled or drop by your shop. And before every outing, the group beacon check at the trailhead is a must.
Should you change your beacon batteries every season?
Dominique Perret recommends it: put fresh batteries in at the start of the season, even if the indicator still shows enough charge, and stick to the type the manufacturer recommends (often alkaline, not rechargeable).
Can you go out with just a beacon?
No. Beacon, probe and shovel work together: the beacon locates, the probe confirms the position and depth, the shovel digs the person out. Every member of the group carries all three.
Should you test your airbag pack before winter?
Yes. A test deployment lets you feel how hard to pull the handle. With a fan system, it’s often possible at no cost; with a cartridge, do it somewhere you can get it refilled.
How long is the OFFPISTE e-learning course?
3 hours of online training: 10 lessons, 18 videos, 12 quizzes and a final exam to earn the WEM certification. The course is available in English and French, for CHF 69 / €69.
CONCLUSION – Gear ready, group at ease
Skis, clothing, beacon, probe, shovel, airbag: this pre-season check changes everything. Because your rescue gear is there for others first, getting it ready is already a way of looking after your group. And because the best gear is the gear you never use, real preparation also means training and reading the terrain.
Have a great season, full of freedom, fun and safety. See you on the snow,
Dominique Perret and the whole WEMountain team
Ready for the season
Start the winter with the right reflexes
3 hours online to learn how to pick the right slope at the right time, with a WEM certification at the end.
Discover more mountain articles
Women in the Mountains: Where We Stand and What’s at Stake
Podcast Ep.2 : Why gear alone isn’t enough: training before rescuing in the mountains
Mountain Safety: The Ski Industry’s Key Role
Training Young Riders: Safety for Everyone
Mountain Training: Why Learning Is Essential
