Voile Telepro Shovel

burly shovel...shovels the hardest snow effectively

In 2009 the Austrian Alpine Club published results of a rigorous, independent, shovel test. They used and abused shovels from several manufacturers. Voile shovels stood out as the clear choice for functionality and durability, especially the shovels using T6 aluminum. While other shovels failed catastrophically, the Voile shovels showed no signs of damage. On top of their performance, they are also reasonably priced... and oh yeah, they're also made in Salt Lake City , Utah... that is in the United Stated, if your not familiar. They are certainly not the cutest shovel out there, but do looks really matter when your bud is buried alive?

Although this shovel is what I would consider an average shovel that does the job is was designed to do, I feel that it does not do the job as well as others. Build quality is great (it should last you a lifetime with minimal pin issues). Where this falls short is in the way you assemble it. In a situation where you have to use this to unbury an avy victim you want to be able to assemble it fast and without the need of too much concentration. The fact that the shaft is round means that the pins are not always aligned and time is needed to rotate the shaft to get the pins to snap in place. The shaft also goes a few mm past where it should for the pins to line up with the holes, taking more time to align the pins with the holes. For these reasons I give this no more than 3 stars. In fact I plan to replace this shovel with something better suited to time sensitive emergency situations. So if you are looking for a shovel to add to you avalanche kit, look elsewhere.. but if you are looking for something to build booters or have in you car, this will work fine.

The shovel kicks ass, it has all you want, it has a tough blade & shaft. The only con is if you have a smaller pack like a Black Diamond Bandit Avalung pack for example, it is tight fit. If you have that pack, I would get the version with no D handle, that adds a few inches to the length, that is already a small enough bc pack.

I have the BD Covert & that fits fine. I know someone that ran into that problem with that shovel in the Bandit pack & this shovel. He ended swapping this shovel with a buddy that also had a newish avi shovel non-d handle shaft.

Simple & basic metal d-handle shovel. When you are goin' outtabounds, you need a dependable shovel for unlikely chance a buddy gets caught in a bad spot. Plus, you can't go wrong with a lifetime warrenty.

Super durable blade. Shovels extremely well. D-grip hand is awesome. Easy to assemble and disassemble even with gloves on. Telescoping handle is super useful. Anything you need to dig, this shovel will do it...from kickers to snowpits to your car when its puking out.

Best shovel ever... Solid and burley, a tad heavy but that's the trade off for being bomber... D handle is the only way to go...

Having used others' plastic shovels, and lighter weight aluminum ones, I cannot be happier with my ice-busting, crud-munching monster. This beast chops through anything, and thats important when you get into high camp late in the evening and every minute of digging out that tent spot counts for extra zzzs - even more so when you are camped on wind blown cement.

I also use it for day touring and even slackcountry because it's my only shovel, and I am sure it is overkill for those activities, but I don't really notice the weight. The D-handle is also a must have for serious backcountry use.

I've used this shovel a few times in very different types of snow with the same GREAT result. It's nice and light, and extremely durable. It packs down small enough to carry on your day pack, but has a big enough head to move a good amount of snow. The best two parts of the shovel is the "D" style handle (great for a lot of snow cave/shelter shoveling), and the extendable/retractable shaft. When you need to move a lot of snow for a snow sitting area, make it long... If you need to make a snow cave, in tight areas, shorten it up. It's awesome! Great buy, great price!

Had this shovel for 7 years(orange T6). It's a little bigger than most. Solid blade,Good long extension, D-handle, and eye holes (for those special occasions). Can be a little awkward in smaller packs. Digs holes and caves, builds kickers, moves snow, gets cars out of ditches, and moonlights as a mean sled for the small. All you will ever want, Get one.

I retired my Lexan shovel and bought this one. I just took and Avi 1 course and spent a couple days digging with it and it works really well. Easy to assemble with gloves on. It's big and it's strong and that's what you're going to need if things go bad, right?

Don't buy a plastic shovel. You will be cursing if you ever actually have to dig out your friend buried under set up concrete with a plastic spoon. This shovel is great. From avie drills to snow pits to shelters to digging your car out, this shovel moves lots of snow. It is economical and reliable. I can recommend it for sure.

After having the Black Diamond Tele-Bobcat for years I gave the newer smaller Black Diamond Deploy a try. Black Diamonds light weight shovels blade folded under heavy use. I retuned it promptly and purchased the Voile TelePro. This bomber shovel will move lots of snow fast. It cuts through avy chunder and throws the heavy coastal snow like AT Apostle’s Honda snow blower.

i'm stoked on this shovel. it's durable, cheap, simple to put together and moves a lot of snow real fast. all critical components addressed.

its not super light or anything so i guess that's a stroke against it, but i want a strong shovel when i'm digging out my friend or building snow walls.

Strong and light. Only used it to dig my car out so far, but it has been great

Cons: D-Handle feels a little weak.
Pros: Fits pack very well, the handle and blade are rock solid (paint is pretty tough too), I can trust it (its the T-6 model), much lighter than my last shovel (BCA Chugach Pro), comfortable to use.
I've had it for a month now, taken it out several times, dug many snowpits, dug out sleds, and stacked a few jumps. No issues except the D-handle doesn't feel as solid as the rest of the shovel. Highly recommend this shovel!

This shovel rocks !! We got buried in a white out in the backcountry of Mammoth Mt. and had to build a snow shelter . This shovel kicked butt !! We had it done in record time !! It's light and fits well in my Dakine pack....so glad I had it on me !!!

Snow Pits, Kickers, or just Digging the car out of a Snow bank...This shovel can move some snow. I've been using my Telepro now for 3 season and am nowhere near replacing it. I couldn't even ask for anything better.

What can I say, I like moving snow. There is no other reason to have a shovel. I get nervous when someone busts out their gardening tools and thinks that they could dig me out if there is a problem. I call bs. I need something durable with leverage and good grip. I wear mittens on cold days and have no trouble with the assembly and usage of this shovel. I used to have the wood saw inside the handle but got rid of it when i bought the g3 bonesaw.

I like that this shovel has a longer handle than many of the all-in-one-piece telescoping shovels. It allows me to get better leverage to dig than with a shorter shovel and saves my back. It's also one of the biggest shovels on the market, which means that when it really counts, you can move a lot of snow a lot faster than the smaller shovels. Also, the D-shaped handle grip is large and secure and you can use it with mittens. If I'm skiing with someone in the backcountry, I inspect their shovel. That's what is going to be digging ME out if I get buried. If I don't like their shovel, I'll trade with them for the day.

I found the telepro shovel to be etremely durable and functional. It gets an A+ in simplicity and weight. It is definitely very good quality for the money. Highly recommended.

I bought a Telepro and it rocked. We spent many happy days on the snow together and then my children decided to borrow it because it was light and makes great jumps. The buggers left it on the snow and and now some other lucky person has my Telepro. If you do happen to see it in someone's hands on the D at Mt Hotham, tell them it is sorely missed by its rightful owner.

Yeah, the Voile TelePro isn't light...but if your friend is buried under snow, you want a shovel that can dig them out.

It comes in 2 pieces, a telescoping handle with a D-shaped handle and a large aluminum scoop which can be detached for ease of transport. The D-shaped handle is sturdy and easier to hold than the T-shaped handles seen on many shovels. The scoop is large and metal, meaning it can move snow. This a very efficient tool to use for camp prep or emergency situations.

Bottomline: It might be larger and heavier than many of it's competitors, but it's worth it when it comes to safety.

They haven't changed this shovel much, from what I can see. I've had mine for about six years and it does everything - kickers, the car, kitchens - never had to dig a friend out (thank god) but you get the idea. Never even managed to dent the thing. Just about perfect capacity, not too big, not too small.

Pros: D-Grip! I like mittens, what can I say? Unbreakable. Blade becomes a snow anchor. Extendable.
Cons: Heavy. Not ideal for long tours.

This shovel is the one you want. It breaks down and gets put together very easily. Also the D grip is what you need! Also having the extension to it makes it much nicer on your back and for taller people like myself. Just used this for a 10 days in Tahoe and then a week of heli in Alaska and it answered every need. Weight was not an issue and any extra weight this has then smaller inferior shovels is worth it!

I'm kind of a mule, so if this shovel is a hair heavier than others, I'm not bothered. I like the big open, wrap around handle versus the the other, T-design and it's metal, full on. As soon as I got out into the BC with with a group and had the chance to test mine against the others, I had to step away from the plastic––although I am sure it's durable––I just kept thinking that I was not in a sand box.

I doubt you can find this feature on any of the shovels, but I would have been grateful for a handle attachment that would jack right into the shovel, for close digging in snow caves. I just took the head off and used it, but it was a bit awkward. Overall a great snow shovel that I see outlasting me.

As many below have said, this shovel is a big and burly snow destroying monster. Overall, the additional weight, in my experience, is negligible and the increase in performance is substantial. Don't be cheap and risk your backcountry partners life by wasting valuable seconds. Go for the best!

Haven't had to use it yet, but it looks awesome. Seems extremely well made.

The shovel breaks down into 3 pieces if necessary to fit inside a small bag, and the joints always work smoothly and quickly, even with gloves on or in icy conditions. It's a great tool for avalanche safety, as well as a good shape for building kickers, with the extendable shaft convenient to use as both short and long as where you stand changes. Have even used it for clearing snow from steps, but woulndn't recommend using it on concrete/asphalt surfaces as the edges become sharp.

Great shovel. First I thought it would be heavy. When I took it out of the box and put telescope handle and shovel head together, it was surprisingly light. Being able to move a lot of snow quickly and having a long handle is worth the weight. The parts fit well and there is little play in the components.
Backcountry has great service!!! I took the brand new shovel on a snow climb. When using the shovel, I noticed that the matrial in the extension handle had a flaw (1/4 dimple in aluminum) that could have developed into a crack. Even though used during this one climbing trip, Backcountry replaced the shovel after one short phone call. Super service!!!!!!

as a pro patroller I can recommend this with five stars. if some one to dig me out i would want them to have the T6. i have used this for EVERYTHING - pad digging, making booters, snow pits, beacon training, and sometimes the car.

I have owned an earlier generation of this Voile shovel for 20+ years. The extendable shaft makes it perfect for digging out the most glorious and extravagant snow caves. However, recently after digging some heavy snow and stiff ice I bent the shovel and it is now bogusly pliable/malleable. Can't complain too much as it has out dug my Buddies whimpy plastic shovels for over 20 years.

great durable shovel with large scoop and extending handle. D handle way better than T handle.

Im a pretty serious snowboarder and I bought this shovel in winter of 2007. Ive never had to use it for digging myself out of dangerous situations, but it still does nicely for shaping ramps. The handle separates from the blade easily and both parts are small enough to fit inside my pack. It is made from solid metal and cuts through hard packed snow. The only problem Ive had is once I landed back first after a jump and bruised my back on the blade that I store in the main compartment of my pack. I keep an extra shirt between me and the blade from now on. Other than that, its perfect for everyday use on the mountain.

Great shovel. A bit heavy, but definitely bomber.

I like this shovel a whole lot better than my BD shovel. shovels like a coal shovel. good for moving a lot of snow fast.

over all a pretty cool shovel. The D-handle is great and the long extending handle really saves your back.

good quality, sturdy, and easy to pack.

My wife gave me this shovel for Christmas, probably 6 or 7 years ago. I've had other shovels that broke or chipped. This one WORKS. I always take it with me on my backpack when snowshoeing. I've even kept it in the trunk of my Subaru Sti to dig out snow in "low-clearence" situations. Highly recommended.

This thing straight up rocks. It's super easy and quick to assemble, extremely durable, and the d handle provides an excellent grip. This is definitely a necessity for anyone who loves going out into the BC.

Works really well for packing in your backpack, durable, everything you want, and the snow doesn't stick to it like some people think with a steel blade.

For the size and durability, this shovel should weigh twice as much as it does. The telescoping shaft makes it super versatile, and the D-handle gives a super solid grip. Love it.

Great shovel. Have the T6/Orange and the Yellow standard. Both are wonderful. I carry the T6 as my avalanche shovel for the stronger blade...it cuts and digs through debris and heavy snow like it's nothing. The Yellow is a great shovel for the car too...can move large quantities, has a nice sturdy long handle. Great shovel...Would recommend it to anyone!

Breaks down easily and fits in the BD Covert well. Digs well as a shovel should, does not fell wimpy without being too heavy.

I like all aspects of the shovel except that the handle of the shovel is a "T" instead of a "D" like the Tele Pack shovel. The "D" handle of the Tele Pack is more ergonomic and easier to use.