By Jay Thompson

Children love anything to do with snow: snowball fights, making snow angels, snowmen and snow days off from school. For the adult home or business owner, a heavy snowfall is less welcome as it can create major problems, one of which being, what to do with all the white stuff?

Using a shovel to remove snow from a sidewalk or driveway is by far the cheapest solution and the simplest technology. It’s also good exercise – a study of sedentary but otherwise healthy older males at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., found that shoveling snow expends the same amount of energy as an active round of singles tennis or speed walking at 5 mph.

However the amount of physical effort required to shovel snow can also make it a dangerous proposition for the elderly or unfit. The same study found that each shovel-full of wet, heavy snow weighs about 16 pounds and the typical subject in the study shoveled 12 times a minute. That means they moved 192 pounds per minute or almost 2,000 pounds in 10 minutes!

Not only does moving this much snow place an undo amount of stress on the back and knees, it also greatly increases the chance of heart attack in unfit people. The Beaumont study found shoveling snow raised participants’ heart rates to 175 beats per minute – results that were obtained in the subjects only after an exhaustive workout on a treadmill.

Single-stage snowblowers are ideal for suburban homeowners with a small driveway and a sidewalk to clear because they are so light, efficient and relatively affordable, priced between $400 and $650.

Of course, even for the physically fit, snow shoveling can be slow, tedious work, especially on a cold January day. That’s why people who have to keep snow off a large expanse of sidewalk or a small- to medium-sized driveway might want to consider purchasing a snowblower.

When shopping for a snowblower it is important to know what size area you want to clear and the type of snow you are most likely to get. Lots of icy, wet and heavy snow requires a more powerful machine than removing a few inches of powder from a deck or sidewalk.

Most homeowners find that a single-stage snowblower is sufficient for their needs. Single-stage snowblowers use a corkscrew-like device called an auger to scoop snow off the ground and blow it off to the side through a chute. The auger has a hard rubber lining that clears the snow directly from the pavement and helps move the machine forward.

Single-stage snowblowers normally weigh less than 70 pounds but can clear two inches of snow from a 30-foot long, two car wide driveway in about 30 minutes. They can also effectively handle snow up to eight inches deep. Most use a mixture of oil and gasoline for fuel and are started with a pull cord – although many models have an electric starter as an option. It is important to note that most single-stage snowblowers are not self propelled and must be pushed.

Single-stage snowblowers are ideal for suburban homeowners with a small driveway and a sidewalk to clear because they are so light, efficient and relatively affordable, priced between $400 and $650.

People who have to clear a large driveway or small parking lot might want to consider a two-stage snowblower. These are more expensive then a single-stage snowblower – they can cost up to $2,500 – but their bigger engine and auger means they break through hard, frozen snow that single-stage models can’t handle. They are usually self-propelled, come with electric starters standard and use regular unleaded gasoline for fuel. They are also good for people with gravel driveways as the augers have metal plates that support the weight of the machine, preventing the auger from touching the ground and tearing it up.

For clearing snow from a really large area, consider a snowplow. Any area that experiences regular heavy snowfall will have a number of snow removal contractors. Often these are independent contractors who have a snowplow mounted on their own pickup trucks, although some businesses, such as construction companies or landscapers, may do snowplowing during the winter.

There are several things to keep in mind while searching for a contractor. First, get several estimates as prices can vary based on the size of the area to be cleared and how difficult the job is. Smaller contractors will charge either by the job or have one set price for the season, but be sure to ask about additional charges during large storms.

Ask the contractor for references and check with the local Better Business Bureau. You should also ask what type of insurance the contactor has and if they are bonded or not. Make sure that you have a written agreement and that you have agreed on all issues beforehand, such as who will be responsible for damages like cracked driveways, broken fences and knocked over mailboxes. Do not settle for a verbal agreement made over the phone.

If you have your own SUV or pickup, you might want to consider plowing your own snow, but be aware that this can be harder than it sounds.

If you have your own SUV or pickup, you might want to consider plowing your own snow, but be aware that this can be harder than it sounds. Not only do you have to consider the expense of the plow, but you also have to keep in mind the cost of the plow-hitch and additional lights. A total set-up begins at around $2,500 and goes up from there. Additionally, your truck may not be suitable for use with a plow as some vehicle manufacturers have stated that snowplows should not be installed on certain models. Even if it is, you have to take into consideration the extra wear and tear several tons of snow will place on the frame and transmission.

Whether you choose to get rid of snow the old fashioned way with a shovel or use a snowblower or a snowplow, there are some basic rules to remember. Never pile snow on someone else’s property, on a sidewalk or in the road. Not only is this inconsiderate, it also may be against the law in your area. Do not pile snow where it could block access to things like mailboxes, dumpsters, electrical boxes or fire hydrants and avoid covering storm drains or catch basins, as this could cause flooding when the temperature begins to warm up.

No matter what method you choose, experts agree that you will have more selection and get a better price if you make your decision before the snow starts to fly.