Probably more important than an ice axe, walkers should take time to learn how to fit and use crampons effectively. The majority of accidents in winter are caused by walkers tripping on their crampons. Come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including lightweight models that can be fitted to bendy boots. These are not recommended for serious winter use though.
Used for arresting your fall should you slip or trip up on snow covered terrain, ice axes come in avariety of lengths. Some walkers swear by long axes, others by short models, it's a personal choice. Time should be taken to learn to use an ice axe although the importance of these techniques has probably been over-estimated in recent years. It's much more important to learn how to walk in crampons without tripping over them.
Such equipment is probably not required by the majority of UK hillwalkers but avalanche recievers and probes are vital for Alpine ski tourers and mountaineers who frequently cross avalanche-prone slopes.
