ISPO Award Winner 2024: Tindeq Snow Saw

The Tindeq Snow Saw is an essential tool for assessing snowpack stability and evaluating avalanche risk, playing a critical role in backcountry- and public road safety. This innovative, collapsible saw simplifies snow analysis and is quickly becoming the benchmark for avalanche forecasters, ski patrollers, snow scientists and backcountry skiers worldwide.  

Its unique design consists of three aluminum segments that can be connected to create a blade length of either 70 cm or 105 cm, making it the only snow saw capable of cutting large snow columns in a single pass in an efficient way. This ensures complete isolation of the snow column’s back face, a key factor in accurate stability testing. 

Constructed from lightweight and strong aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum, the Tindeq Snow Saw integrates a complex locking mechanism in each segment for secure and reliable assembly, making the assembled saw appear seamlessly connected. The metal body is sturdy and stiff, while the anodized surface enhances abrasion and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for long-term use in demanding conditions.  

“We have aimed to make a saw that is lightweight, compact, sturdy, and sufficiently long to efficiently perform the common snowpack stability tests. One challenge was selecting the right material, but the biggest hurdle was designing a joining mechanism that would function reliably in all weather conditions and endure the rugged use the saw would face”, explains product designer Jørgen Blindheim. The final product now features a patented locking mechanism which ensures a strong and ostensibly seamless joining of the saw blades.  

The saw weighs just enough to feel substantial without being cumbersome. Its aluminum blade is built to withstand heavy use, and when its life cycle ends, it can be recycled. The included sheath, made from recycled sailcloth, offers durable protection while also contributing to sustainable practices, having already served a long life at sea. 

The saw has measurement marks engraved onto the surface of the blade, and there is also a 1 and 3 mm crystal grid to help classifying snow crystals. 

In the world of avalanche safety, the Tindeq Snow Saw stands out as a high-performance, well-crafted tool that is indispensable for snow stability analysis and risk management. 

• High-quality workmanship 
• Innovative locking mechanism 
• High level of innovation: Significant improvement on previous products on the market 

In the world of avalanche safety, the Tindeq Snow Saw stands out as a powerful tool that is indispensable for snow stability analysis and risk management. 

ISPO Award Jury