Clearing snow from private paths and access routes is, in principle, the responsibility of the owner or occupant: the commune only clears public land. The most effective approach is to clear early, before the snow compacts, with the right tools, and to use salt sparingly so as not to damage the garden. For a second home or a long driveway, a contract with a professional saves a good deal of trouble.
Who must clear the snow: the commune or you?
The commune looks after public roads and pavements. Your driveway, your garage access, your steps and the path to the front door are, in principle, your responsibility as owner or occupant of the property.
The precise rules vary from one commune to another. Before winter, it is worth checking with the communal administration:
- Do the communal regulations require you to clear the pavement in front of your plot?
- Where may snow cleared by the communal snowplough be deposited?
- Are there specific instructions for sloping access or private paths open to the public?
If you rent your property or live in a co-ownership building, also check who is responsible for snow clearing in the lease or the co-ownership regulations.
Tools and the right method
The choice of tool depends on the area to clear and the type of snow.
- A shovel suits small paths, steps and the area around the door. Choose a wide one for light snow, a narrower one for heavy snow.
- A snow pusher (or push shovel) lets you push snow across a flat surface without lifting it, with less effort.
- A snow blower becomes useful once the driveway is long or snowfalls are frequent. It throws the snow sideways: aim the jet away from hedges, windows and flower beds.
Method matters as much as the tool:
- Clear as soon as the snow falls, or shortly afterwards: when fresh, it is light. Once trodden down by feet and wheels, or frozen, it turns into a sheet that is hard to remove.
- Work in strips, from the centre towards the edges, throwing the snow to the side where it will cause the least trouble.
- Avoid scraping down to the last layer if the surface is delicate: a thin film often disappears by itself in the sun.
- Look after your back: push rather than lift, and take breaks if the snow is wet and heavy.
Salt or grit: which should you choose?
Against ice, there are two common solutions, which do not have the same effects on the garden.
| Salt | Grit | |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Melts the ice | Provides grip |
| Plants and hedges along the edge | Can damage them | No effect |
| Paving and natural stone | Can degrade them | No effect |
| After winter | Stays in the soil | To be swept up and collected |
Salt damages plants, hedges along the edge, paving and natural stone. It is therefore better to prefer grit, or to limit salt to the places that are genuinely dangerous, such as steps or a steep slope. In spring, sweep up the grit: it can be reused the following winter.
Protecting the garden while clearing snow
Poorly thought-out snow clearing can do more harm than the snow itself.
- Shake heavy snow off hedges, thujas and evergreen shrubs: built up on the branches, it bends or breaks them. Do it gently, with a long-handled broom, tapping upwards from below. Good hedge trimming in autumn also makes plants more resilient.
- Do not pile salty snow on flower beds or the lawn: as it melts, it releases the salt directly onto the roots.
- Mark edgings and manholes with stakes before winter. Under a white blanket, an edging or a water manhole is invisible, and the snow blower or shovel can damage it.
- Choose a place to deposit the snow: a clear corner of the lawn, away from fragile plantings, where the snow can melt without causing problems.
These steps are part of late-autumn garden maintenance, alongside putting away garden furniture and protecting delicate plants.
Depending on the surface of the access
The surface of the driveway determines how to clear the snow.
- Asphalt: a smooth surface, easy to scrape with a shovel or snow blower. Avoid overly aggressive metal blades on new or damaged asphalt. To redo or create a driveway, see driveways and asphalt.
- Paving stones: the joints and edges are vulnerable to metal tools and salt. A pusher with a soft edge and light clearing are preferable.
- Stabilised gravel: scrape the snow leaving a thin layer, so as not to carry away the aggregate. Our guide to stabilised gravel details its advantages and upkeep.
In every case, set the snow blower slightly above the ground so as not to tear up the surface.
Depending on the region: lakeside, plain, mountains
Snow clearing is not the same scale everywhere in French-speaking Switzerland.
On the shores of Lake Geneva or Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Morat, snow is less frequent and melts quickly: a shovel and a little grit are often enough. On the plateau, snowfalls are more regular, and a pusher or a small snow blower becomes handy.
In the Valais, snow is abundant at altitude, but sun and dry cold create alternating freeze and thaw that make access slippery: in Crans-Montana, a snow-clearing contract is common for chalets. In the Jura, for example around La Chaux-de-Fonds, winter is long and access routes need clearing often. In the Fribourg and Vaud Pre-Alps, as in Châtel-Saint-Denis, snow can build up quickly and heavily.
At altitude, other constraints weigh on the garden all year round: our guide to mountain gardening goes through them.
Doing it yourself or hiring someone
For a small path, an access to the door or a few steps, clearing snow with a shovel or pusher remains within reach of any owner. It is a regular task that mainly requires availability and care.
A professional is needed for long driveways, sloping access, co-ownership buildings or second homes, where nobody is there to step in at the first snowfall. A snow-clearing contract sets out in advance the visits, the area to clear and the rules on salt. SOS Jardin passes your request on to a gardener in your region, who will contact you and provide a free, no-obligation quote: you can request a quote by describing your access.
Frequently asked questions
Am I obliged to clear the snow in front of my home?
In principle, the owner or occupant is responsible for private access. For the pavement or public road in front of your plot, it all depends on your commune’s regulations: check with the communal administration.
Is salt bad for the garden?
Yes, it can damage plants, hedges along the edge, paving and natural stone. It is better to prefer grit, or to keep salt for the dangerous spots only, and in small quantities.
How do I stop snow from breaking my hedges?
Shake heavy snow off hedges, thujas and evergreen shrubs as soon as it builds up, using a broom and gentle movements. Do not let the snow compact on the branches, as it bends and then breaks them.
When is it better to call a professional?
For a long driveway, sloping access or a second home you do not visit in winter, a snow-clearing contract is safer. It ensures the access is cleared without you having to travel.
Should I mark edgings before winter?
Yes, it is a simple precaution. Push stakes in along edgings and near manholes before the first snow: they prevent these features from being damaged by the shovel or snow blower.