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I used this axe ski touring last weekend (down climbing a slope I was too scared to ski). The shaft plunges well in firm snow. The spike is way better than the cutoff shaft style Ive tried. My hand did get a bit sore from the thin edges on the head. The adz is just big enough to hold onto and the pick is a little short, but the axe is so light it is definitely worth taking. Down climbing that slope with out an axe would have been pretty hairy.

This ice axe is definitely not well-suited for serious mountaineering. Although it does have the standard B rating, and the spike is much more than just a cut-off shaft, as featured on some competitors sites. But for ski mountaineering trips that require an ice axe for only relatively brief sections (and hence the axe will stay on the pack the majority of the time), the ultra-lightweight is a great relief. Furthermore, although the technical performance of this axe is hardly outstanding, it will make you safer since you'll never have another reason not to leave your ice axe at home to save weight on a tour where you might encounter steep terrain.

No problems yet with this XLA 210 and it has gotten me up the grand and back down safely. Lightweight and sturdy.

I bought this for self-arrest purposes and so far, so good - haven't had to use it.