How to Make Paths in Snow

Warm up your muscles before you begin shoveling. Stretch out your hamstrings, quadriceps, shoulders and back muscles to warm them up and prepare to use them.

Dress appropriately. Cover your skin with hat, scarf, gloves and coat. Wear waterproof boots to keep your feet dry and warm. Dress in layers so you can remove outerwear as you work to shovel. Shoveling snow is hard work -- you may perspire even in freezing temperatures.

Assess the shoveling area to make a plan before you move any snow. Decide where you will pile the snow you shovel. As you determine the piling spot for the snow, make sure you will not be blocking steps, walkways or driveways with the snow.

Clear the perimeter around the area first. Remove one shovel-width of snow around the perimeter before you make a path through the center. Lift the snow up and place it where you planned to pile it.

Push the shovel through the center of the area to clear a path. As you push the shovel through the center, the snow will move to both the left and right of the center. Continue pushing the shovel through until you make a path the length you desire.

Return to the start of the path and widen it, if you desire. Shovel from the center of the path to the left toward the perimeter you shoveled first. When you reach the cleared perimeter, stop and lift the snow to the location you planned to pile it. Repeat this procedure to clear first the area to the left of the center path and then to the right of the center path.

Clean up the shoveled area of any remaining snow by shoveling again lightly. Pile the snow in the same location.

Sprinkle deicer over the pavement to help melt any remaining snow and ice.