I would suppose that in NY you are only carrying a shovel to help dig out your sled and not for digging victims of an avalanche! If you are going to get a shovel cause you are coming out west to ride in avalanche country, then by all means, buy a back-pack and carry the shovel on your body. The shovel does you no good when your sled is buried or you forget to get it out when running up a 45 degree slope to help dig out your buddy, UPPS, I forgot my shovel and have to go back..........it will be too late, just call his wife from your cell phone that you also left in your snowmobile.