| What it is | Aluminium stake for snow anchors |
| Placed | Driven in or buried (deadman) |
| Holding power | Depends on snow firmness |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
A snow stake is a flat aluminium stake driven into or buried in snow to build an anchor where there is no rock or ice. Used as a vertical placement or a horizontal buried ‘deadman’, its holding power depends on the snow’s firmness. It’s a staple of the snow-anchor toolkit alongside the picket.
How it’s used
Driven in at an angle in firm snow, or buried horizontally as a deadman in soft snow, to build a snow anchor.
Stake vs picket
A picket is the longer, sturdier cousin — see picket vs snow stake.
Frequently asked questions
What is a snow stake?
A snow stake is a flat, perforated aluminium stake used to anchor in snow. You can drive it into firm snow at an angle, or bury it horizontally as a 'deadman' in softer snow, clipping the rope to it to create a belay, rappel, or protection point.
What's the difference between a snow stake and a picket?
They're closely related — both are aluminium snow anchors. 'Picket' usually refers to a longer, sturdier T- or angle-section stake (often 60-90 cm), while 'snow stake' can mean lighter, flatter stakes. Both are placed vertically or buried as deadmen.
How strong is a snow stake?
Its strength depends almost entirely on the snow: a stake in firm, consolidated snow can hold well, while the same stake in soft snow may pull out easily. Because of this variability, climbers test placements, often bury them as deadmen for more strength, and back them up.
Sources
- Snow anchors — American Alpine Club