https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07BH7C339/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_inactive_ship_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is what I use, metal handle is a must, I broke one with a wooden handle and that led to a very bad day....

 

Hours? I'd get a sled specific shovel like an SOS that has a built in saw in the handle to kill to birds with one stone, an axe/hatchet, saw, and shovel and water are always on my sled.

 

I always have a shovel and 3 saws .i carry a SOS ( survival on snow ) shovel like FZ583 mentioned .i have a $6 fold up saw from harbor freight .and Milwaukee folding Jab saw uses saws-all blades carry both metal and aggressive wood cutting blade.
I find when your really stuck in other than just snow find a long pole / log. use it as a leverage Bar slide it forward under from the back of the front A arms lift pole should be able to pick sled up and move it forward .works great by your self or 2 guys one on each side even better

 

I have the fxr shovel. When I was looking, I was paying close attention to the saw part as that was half the reason I was getting it. The saw on this shovel works great and I use it all the time.
The handle is plastic but has metal on the inside of the plastic. And the price was nice compared to some of the BCA shovels.
I'd make sure the kind you get also can mount the shovel blade to the handle, this allows you to scoop the snow out in a pulling motion. At first I thought this was a gimmick but after getting stuck bad a couple times in back country, the scoop-pull method is often more effective and efficient than the standard shovel method. Also use the shovel for winter camping and some fishing. Key things I'd look for is saw length/quality and that you can mount the blade on the handle for the scoop method.
In this video, I used the saw at the 5:30 mark. https://youtu.be/qld_x_ge8Dk

 

I second this shovel. The saw works great, was able to help a guy who was dragging a local trail and left his chainsaw at the clubhouse.

and as mentioned, the scoop feature is awesome. really helps quickly clear the running boards

packs down nice

 

If I get stuck I flip the sled on it’s side, kick some snow under where the track had dug a hole stomping it down with your feet, flip sled back up right and pin it. Helps to have bud pull a ski too but isn’t always necessary. I’ve done it this way more times than I can count works every time and takes all of a couple minutes. I’m not a serious backcountry guy so maybe this method doesn’t work well if your stuck in a deep ravine but it’s never failed anyone in our group in fields, power lines, logging roads you know places were 137s can go and get stuck easily lol. Worth a try next time it does work well.

 

I bought the KLIM shovel this year. It’s a great shovel but it freezes together and you can’t get it apart. Bought a can of Teflon spray to try.

 

Go to Ocean State Job Lots and buy the small extendable shovel. It's pretty rugged and is in two pieces. Stores easily in my tunnel bag. Cost is about $9.00.

 

I carry a snowclaw. Packs super small as it fits in the bag and moves snow faster than any handled shovel. It is harder to dig underneath and around the machine with it, but as stated above a bit of repositioning solves that concern.

 

5 yrs on a LLBeans emergency car alum. shovel, folding 6" saw , and a snowbungee for sure.

 

Lots of good info!
I ordered the FXR for me and the SOS for my buddy's sled... now I can compare. I always have a folding saw but this will be more accessible. My next trip will probably be on hero snow but good to be prepared.
Thanks for the responses

 

How are you guys attaching your shovels to your sled?

 

On my skidoo gen 4 i removed battery cover drilled a hole in it and put a long automotive valve stem .drilled a hole in center of shovel to slide over valve stem . Keeps shovel from rubbing against cover and keeps it in place Valve stem should make people wonder lol on my 154 there was couple rivets in middle I drilled out and used carriage bolts to mount quick fist to . On my 146 I a little different but works awesome 8,000 miles never fell off yet

 

Love the valve stem!

 

As an older guy who has been in construction for almost 40 years I can promise you when you need a shovel it is not a good day. In fact, I never want to see another shovel the rest of my life...