When building a snow shelter, what is one recommended tool to have on hand?

When building a snow shelter, having a snow shovel on hand is highly recommended due to its specific design and functionality. A snow shovel allows you to efficiently gather, shape, and compact snow, which is essential for constructing a sturdy and insulated shelter. The shovel's broad blade can move large quantities of snow swiftly, enabling the builder to create walls or block off spaces effectively.

Unlike other tools, such as an axe or firestarter, a snow shovel directly contributes to the construction process of a snow shelter. An axe is more suited for cutting through wood, which is not typically used in snow shelters that rely on compacted snow for structure. A firestarter, while useful in other winter survival scenarios, does not aid in the physical construction of a snow shelter. Similarly, a flare gun is primarily a signaling device and does not have any relevance in the building process.

Thus, the snow shovel is the most logically essential tool for constructing a snow shelter, making it the correct choice in this context.