Paula Porter/For the Gazette

Winters in the Copper Country are unlike any other. We get snow early here and alot of it. At least in most years historically. The huge storm of ’78 is a fond memory. Shoveling here is a necessity. We still need to be able to get out and about. Shoveling is the way to go. Red. Blue or yellow — big or small. Every shovel is a bit different. We all learn our favorite. Sturdy or lightweight. Right now is a great time to learn your favorite shovel. Snow abounds.

Start young. Shoveling is great exercise; especially if you start young. It is safer as you are right down near the ground already, and it’s almost like playing in the snow. Get a light weight shovel to start with. It’s way better to maneuver as a young person. Decide where the snow is best shoveled to. Make it make sense.

Snow is a wonderful canvas for life. Each single snowflake. Each blanket of snowfall. Each snowfall, each dusting, and every storm and blizzard. All the snow is the same; yet different. Some snow you simply make piles out of and then wish to remove. With other snowfalls you can build snowmen or snow statues … igloos … snow angels or paths. All result from a bit of imagination. Anything goes. Once it’s all shoveled away, why not use it creatively.

We are blessed with lots of snow up here in the Copper Country. Shoveling snow away is a chore or a blessing. Each day slightly different. Work smarter, not harder comes to mind. As does, if you love what you’re doing then you’ll never work a day in your life. Snow is a way of life up here for all of us.

Snow, snow, snow. Never enough, or enough already. Shoveling is a necessary chore and one that the Copper Country is highly experienced at. Personally, I love snow. One of my favorite activities is finding a noticeable intricate single snowflake. That takes your breath away. Other favorites include shoveling and appreciating noticeable hoar frost on the tree branches.

Except when you learn the hard way about metal fences at school. May be a time to teach your little ones on the weekend about the does and don’t do with that special frost. Life lessons. Some you learn the hard way, others you learn by a friend first. Snow memories are lifetime memories.

Starting young at shoveling you also learn the basic fundamentals and everything falls into place quicker. Watching your step. Learning the Copper Country penguin walk. Taking time to do a winter family task. Working together. Flying solo. earning to love shoveling. Keeping a firm grip on your shovel while on the deck. Dressing in layers. Falling with grace. Snow shoveling is an art. Staying warm, pacing yourself, and above all embracing the snow. It’s the epitome of winter. Shoveling brings a daily dose of fresh winter air.

Another important criteria to snow shoveling is learning snow weight. Light and fluffy or wet heavy snow. Change up your shovel equipment or lighten your snow load. Or risk a broken shovel. Keep your loads lighter if possible; especially if you want to keep your back from aching. Bend at your knees, not your back. For larger areas it is worth it to consider using a wider shovel as it makes the time go significantly faster. As always work as a team if possible. It makes it alot more fun. And goes by much faster.

While shoveling try not to twist. Keep warm. Also, take breaks every 15 minutes or so. Especially if you’re older than 40 or 50 years old. Doing all of these will ensure you keep healthy for the whole winter season. More fun for you. Snowfall is a guarantee practically up until March or April most years. Then you need to pull out the metal shovel for any snow matting.

Once you’re shoveling make sure to assess all the conditions under the snow as soon as possible. It gets slippery the colder it is outside. Staying safe while shoveling is definitely important. Having fun is on the agenda too. Winter goes by much more slowly if you do not embrace the weather. Consider making a Snowman or Snowman family outside an old folks home or for someone who is not able to get out and make their own anymore. It’s a nice surprise to wake up to instead of only more snow. Or possibly a row of snow angels. It can be a snow highlight for sure.

A few more main shoveling tips that are key include; pushing the snow with your shovel whenever possible versus lifting the snow. Especially if it is heavy wet snow. This is critical so you can make it to the second round of snowfall. Stay hydrated. Make sure not to lock yourself out of your house in the cold. Keep a spare key possibly in your coat. Keep your favorite shovel handy, and keep it cold so the snow doesn’t stick to it. Wear appropriate boots, so you dont slip. Wear your warmest gloves and hats. Stay dry. Watch out for hypothermia by not staying out too long shoveling in cold temperatures. This could happen if you are up shoveling a roof off.

Once you get ready to shovel make sure to take a moment or two to enjoy yourself and all the beauty the snow brings. Each snowfall is a Copper Country blessing. We literally live in one of the best towns in the country for snow. Many of us choose living here simply for the snow. Keep your favorite shovel ready, and remember bend at your knees. Not your back. As always keep your Copper Country sisu strong the whole winter season. Happy shoveling!