When Pagosa Country experiences a mild and somewhat dry winter as we did in the 2005/2006 season, the arrival of a sudden major snowstorm catches many newer residents off guard. A storm measured in feet and not inches may find you completely unprepared, especially if you've moved from a warm-winter climate.

The Archuleta Country Road and Bridge Department does not maintain a number of subdivision or rural roads, and even those they do sometimes don't get plowed for days depending on weather, staffing and budgetary conditions. If you don't have your own plow, always make sure you have enough food in the pantry during wintertime to make it through if you have to wait to be dug out.

No matter whether or not you're on a street that is maintained, your driveway is up to you. If you didn't get on the client list the previous fall of the several people who provide snowplowing assistance, you may be stuck digging yourself out if there is no enterprising neighbor who will gladly take your money for his or her services. And as our winters can be unpredictable, the number of people who offer plowing services varies from year-to-year, so don't assume who gave you a hand last year will necessarily be around this year.

Digging out on a snowy day.

If you can't wait for Mother Nature to melt the snow, you basically have two choices: manually digging out with shovels and scoops, or the relative ease of snow throwers or blowers.

Shoveling
Although not many folks actually consider shoveling snow "fun," it is a wonderful source of exercise when undertaken with care—but only if you are in good health. Always think in terms of safety first.

• If you have any chronic physical ailments (particularly heart disease, high blood pressure or asthma) or back problems, it's best to find someone else to carry out the task.
• Don't attempt to shovel on a full stomach, and don't "warm up your insides" with alcohol.
• Dress warmly, but do not overdress. Easy-to-remove layers are best—and always wear gloves, a hat and waterproof boots.
• Stretch well before you begin to warm up your muscles.
• Protect your lungs by breathing slowly and through your nose as much as possible so that the cold air doesn't cause respiratory harm. Use a mask or a scarf to help warm air that you breathe in. Never smoke while shoveling.
• Use a high-quality shovel that is appropriate for your height. (More on choosing the right shovel below.)
• Pushing snow away from you is preferable over lifting as it helps protect your back. Although our "powder" snow is quite light, wet snow can be very heavy.

How to choose the proper shovel for the job.

Modern snow shovels are manufactured from high-tech molded plastic and polyethylene materials that are both strong and durable, and considerably lighter than shovels that have blades made of steel or aluminum. Older plastic shovels often didn't even last an entire season, but those made with the newer materials weigh less, don't rust, dent or bend, and snow won't stick to plastic. But because modern plastics don't hold up to wear as well as metal does, it is wise to select polyethylene blades that have metal wear strips to minimize wear and tear.

Two other main characteristics of a shovel to be considered are the type of handle as well as the grip area of the handle. Fiberglass or aluminum tubing is lighter and stronger than old-fashioned wooden handles. High-impact plastic grips effectively replace conventional steel-trimmed wooden grips.
An ergonomically designed shovel is also an important investment. All tools, whether they are gardening, construction or even hobby-oriented tools that "fit" ergonomically are worth any extra cost over tools that don't take the human body into consideration. An ergonomically designed shovel with a contoured handle will help reduce fatigue and muscle strain associated with bending or stooping with a straight-handled shovel. Oversized "D"-type grips fit your gloved hands, and the shape reduces the chance of slippage.

There is debate over what length your shovel's handle should be. Longer shovels (up to chest height) ease strain on back muscles by reducing the amount of bending required. Shorter lengths result in better efficiency when shoveling. These two factors must be carefully weighed when deciding which shovel to choose for the task, and if you can, have one of each for the amount and depth of the snow and the area in which it needs to be removed.
After a light snowfall, you may wish to consider also owning a snow pusher or "scoop." It acts in a similar manner as plow to clear snow out of the way without lifting anything.

Do you need a snow thrower or blower?
If you want to create less stress on your body and finish the task more quickly, it may be time to think about investing in a snow blower or thrower. There are three main factors to consider while making this decision:

• The length of your driveway and areas you need to clear.
• The average amount of snow you get every year. The Town of Pagosa Springs averages 33 inches of snow annually, but if you live outside of town it can vary greatly depending on elevation. For instance, the Lake Hatcher area always gets more snow than downtown.
• Your budget. There are a wide range of prices, and as with most products of this nature, generally the more expensive, the higher the quality and amount of available features.

The Sears Craftsman 9.5 hp Gas Snow Thrower

A two-stage gasoline-powered snow thrower is the choice if you have a long driveway and a large area to clear. These blowers have wide augers that gather up the snow and an impeller that throws it. They're a must if you have a gravel driveway since the auger doesn't actually touch the ground. Prices for two-stage gas snow throwers range from about $600 to $2,100.

If your driveway isn’t long and wide, and you don’t want to spend too much money, you may wish to buy a single-stage gasoline powered or electric snow blower. Gas powered models are louder and subsequently may require you to wear earplugs. Most can clear swaths 20-22 inches wide and are priced between $300 to $900. Small electric models are generally lightweight and don't create a lot of noise pollution, cost $100 to $300, and clear swaths about 11-18 inches wide.

However, there are disadvantages to using gas or electric snow blowers as well as benefits.

Snow blowers are only suitable for smaller driveways and walkways; electric models should not be used with cords over 150 feet in length; there is a potential of electric shock if the cord is accidentally severed; most don't work in snow depths over six inches so you may have to make several trips during the snowfall to keep your driveway clear; they can't be used on gravel driveways; and they throw stones just as readily as they toss snow, and with all that implies.

Don't try to push or hurry a snow blower as it works optimally at its own speed. Always maintain a firm hold on the handle and keep control of the snow blower at all times.

Never wear loose clothing or scarves while running the blower. Keep your hands, feet, and other body parts away from the auger, discharge chute, chains, gears, and the other moving parts of the machine. If a tree branch or other object gets stuck in the auger, shut the blower off and make sure the auger has completely stopped before attempting to remove it. Never attempt to remove a clog with your fingers even if the auger is stopped—use a long stick instead.

One last thing regarding do-it-yourself snow removal. Rock salt is a good item to have around for snow and ice-covered front entryways, but do bear in mind that it is not environmentally-friendly and can harm landscape and garden plants it comes into contact with, so only use as needed.

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