Alugator Ultra

The Mammut Alugator Ultra is a welded aluminium avalanche shovel that weighs 395 g. Its blade is 1 mm of aerospace-grade 7075 aluminium, stiffened with ribs, on a telescopic shaft with an orange T-grip. It won an ISPO Award in 2023, and it is made for the touring kit where every gram gets questioned.

Who it's for

Ski tourers, splitboarders and backcountry skiers, where everyone in the party carries a transceiver, a probe and a shovel. Think dawn starts on the Main Range, spring touring in the Victorian high country, or a powder trip to Hokkaido. At 395 g and a space-saving blade shape, it fits a small touring pack, so there is no excuse to leave it at home on a short day.

How it performs in a search

Once the probe strikes, the digging is the longest part of a companion rescue. The Alugator Ultra's blade is 24 cm long and 22 cm wide, hardened and anodised, with a sharpened edge to bite into set-up avalanche debris. Stabilisation ribs keep the thin blade stiff, and the blade resists tilting when you drive it in hard.

The back of the blade is straight, which lets you cut clean, vertical walls when you dig a snow profile on a normal touring day.

Using it under pressure

The shaft slides out and an automatic spring lock clicks it into place, so assembly is quick and certain with gloves on. The telescopic shaft has an I-beam-style profile for stiffness and grip, and it extends the shovel from 55 cm to 75 cm. The symmetrical T-grip sits the same way in either hand, and steps built into the blade let you stamp it in with your boot.

Certification and standards

• UIAA 156 avalanche shovel standard
• Weight: 395 g
• Blade: 24 cm long, 22 cm wide
• Length: 55 cm collapsed, 75 cm extended
• Shaft length collapsed: 39 cm

Maintenance and checks

At the start of each season, assemble the shovel and check that the spring lock engages cleanly, the shaft slides freely and the blade edge has no cracks or deep dents. Dry it before it goes back in the pack for storage.