Ski Mountaineering Axe sizing

I've got the bug! I'm looking to do my first winter summit in the next month. What size axe do you guys use? I have no desire to ice climb yet. Just arresting and general use.

Heres a much more in depth answer than you'll find here.. m.rei.com/learn/expert-advi…

In general it's based off of your height. If your objective is steeper than most, opt for a shorter tool, if it's less steep, go longer. Something right in the middle usually makes for a good all around starter. Go with a straight shaft, as you progress into more technical terrain you'll gain a better understating of what you may want for specific objectives

Sweet. Thanks alot.

The BD Ultra is a great, light and full service axe. I would say dont go any longer than 60 cm. I find mine stays on the pack till the 40+ zone. With ski mountaineering the snow is deeper and the footing is better. I just use poles and skins to get the aproach done. Then boot up whatever. Make sure you get a full strength axe. I wish mine was a 55 instead of a 65. It would fit on the pack better. And that is where it usually is.

IMHO at 60cm axe is the right size of tool for all around usage for a person in the 6'0" height range. Decent on the lower angle slopes but not too long on the steeper sections. Some of the light weight tools are fine but if you need to chop a step or swing they are not great.

60cm is great for an average height male for general mountaineering. This is because you use it as a cane most of the time.

For Ski Mountaineering go short. 50cm

It will be on your pack 95% of the time. You generally only use it for climbing steep terrain or traversing exposed ridges.

Also when you get into skiing really steep stuff a lot of people like to stash it between their back and the pack so they could grab it in the event of a sliding fall. Definitely want it short for that.

Plus, the longer the axe the more it will stick up above the pack and catch on stuff like tree branches.

BGardner wrote: For Ski Mountaineering go short.

I second that recommendation, go short and light. My experience ski mountaineering several seasons in the French Alps is that you rarely will need the mountaineering axe. Ski crampons and setting a good skin track allows you to get up fairly steep snow slopes (up to 45 degrees or so). Steeper snow slopes can be done boot packing and still not necessitate an axe.

The rare occasion when you need an axe is likely to require regular boot crampons as well and gets more into the realm of alpine climbing followed by a ski descent.

Petzl makes a nice 50cm ski mountaineering axe, quite popular with my ski partners

petzl.com/en/Sport/Ice-axes…

Otherwise you should consider Black Diamond's ski mountaineering poles

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…;start=14

I found these things useful on steep terrain up and down, but somewhat a bit menacing the rest of the time. I was also frequently mocked by my French friends for having it along on trips