Just having the right backcountry safety gear isn't enough. You need to know how to use it and how to make smart decisions in the backcountry. Sign up for a safety course at www.avalanche.org.

New for this year, the K2 Rescue Shovel Plus serves as a lightweight aluminum shovel for avalanche rescue, digging snow pits and more. Plus, an included tool kit transforms the shovel into an evacuation sled for an injured friend. [$89.95; k2skis.com]

This beacon uses a patented technology to analyze the position of the buried victim and transmit the best antenna to ensure a faster rescue. The result has 43 percent more range than all other devices on the market. [$448.95; ortovox.com]

Sometimes, you don’t get cell phone reception in the mountains and you need to communicate with other members of your group. This device works as a smart phone, walkie talkie, and GPS navigator. [takwak.com]

If you get caught in a slide, pull a handle and a large, bright balloon floats to the surface and remains attached to you via a cord. This Swiss-made device, which is less expensive than the popular airbag backpacks, is currently only sold in Europe.

Avalanches typically occur on slopes angled 30 to 45 degrees. This device measure the slope thanks to a steel ball inside a liquid-filled tube and doubles as a wax scraper. [$25; bcaccess.com]

If you are stuck in the backcountry in the dark, you’'re going to want this multipurpose headlamp, which comes with four levels of brightness, an alpine emergency signal, and a battery power indicator. [$89.95; mammut.ch]

For out-the-gate tours, you may not need a full pack. Which is why we like this vest, which stores your shovel and probe and comes with an ABS Airbag System. [$1,199; thenorthface.com]

Started by two twin engineers/snowboarders in 2008, Karakoram offers splitboarders a quick transition from climbing to riding and top-notch downhill performance. [$599.99; splitboardbindings.com]

Mount these plates on your skis and they'’ll turn your ordinary alpine bindings into touring bindings for the uphill. Choose from four MFD All-Time systems compatible with the four major binding manufacturers. [$279.99; runmfd.com]

Climbing skins can be ridiculously hard to pull apart. These come with a strip down the middle to reduced weight and ease of use. Plus, they have redesigned material to give them improved glide on the way up. [$199.95; blackdiamondequipment.com]

This 43-liter pack has all the fixings: removable avalanche airbag components, separate pockets for safety gear, ice ax, goggles, and durable exterior fabric. It easily carries skis or a snowboard for bootpacking. [$1,025; mysteryranch.com]