Innovative snow saw makes avalanche warning easier

Several fatal accidents involving winter sports tourists in the past few years have led to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) launching an avalanche warning service, known as ‘Varsom’. A snow saw is a tool used to extract a lateral section of snow layers. This enables analysis of the snow and testing of its stability. A good snow saw is thus an important aid for determining the likelihood of an avalanche.  

The product designer Jørgen Blindheim of Tindeq in Trondheim had noticed a certain dissatisfaction among avalanche forecasters with the snow saws on the market. He got in touch to see if NVE were interested in testing prototypes if Tindeq were to develop a new solution. 

Rounds of development and testing 

That was the beginning of a long collaboration between the product developer and avalanche observers. Together they worked out that a saw blade of 100 cm was needed, however for this to fit in a backpack the blade had to consist of parts which could be dismantled. Each of the parts could be maximum 40 cm long. 

One task was finding the right material. However, the main challenge was undoubtedly developing a joining mechanism which would work in all weather conditions and could withstand the rough use to which the saw would be subjected. 

Even though NVE were pleased with the first version of the saw, Tindeq felt there was room for improvement. Far too many hours of manual work were required to assemble the many parts of the saw which constituted the solution. Support from Innovation Norway enabled several new rounds of prototyping and testing before they landed on a solution which delivered both for the manufacturer and the end-user. 

The foldable Tindeq snow saw is currently available in a light, slim and elegant design, made from only three parts of anodised aluminium and a rubberised handle. The patented locking mechanism ensures a strong and ostensibly seamless joining of the saw blades. 

Creating jobs in Trondheim

The product is now in use by avalanche observers in Norway and all over the world and is contributing to an important public good. Snow is a material of infinite complexity, and accurate observations of the conditions of the snow cover are vital for accurate snow analysis.

The saw blade is made of aluminium and can withstand hard use over a long period. The aluminium can be recycled at the end of the product’s life. The sheath is made from recycled sailcloth which has already had a long life at sea. 

The design of the saw makes it suitable for automated production. The start-up has established a dedicated production line at the start-up community Faktry Trondheim, where they machine the joining mechanism, brush and engrave the saw. Anodising is also carried out locally, and the sheath for the saw is sewn by a local sailmaker. 

The snow saw has contributed to the strengthening of the Tindeq brand name, and also to the creation of a sustainable company with several employees, among them an inmate of Trondheim prison who is employed on a day-release basis.