Snow removal is a route business. A contractor plans the season around a set of driveways close enough together to clear in one run after a snowfall. The best time to get on a route is before it is built, in the fall, not the morning after the first storm.
The dates that matter
- October 15: PWW season plans start. The season runs October 15 to April 15.
- October 31: last day to pay in full and take 5% off. After that, the season price is the full price, or six monthly payments.
- The first 5 cm snowfall: the first clearing. Every snowfall of 5 cm or more after that is cleared too, with no cap on visits.
Prices are on the residential snow removal plans page, and the snow removal cost calculator gives the total for your address with GST.
Why waiting costs more
Grande Prairie averages 162.2 cm of snow a year across about 56 days with measurable snowfall (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1991–2020 climate normals). If you wait and pay per visit, each clearing is billed on its own. A season plan is one price however many times it snows, and paying it in full by October 31 lowers it another 5%. The math is in the residential snow removal price guide.
Get your driveway ready before the first snowfall
- Stake the edges. Put driveway markers along both sides before the ground freezes, so the crew can see where the driveway ends once it is buried.
- Flag the hidden stuff. Paver edging, garden beds, a low step, a downspout or a sprinkler head can all sit just under the snow line. Tell your contractor where they are.
- Agree where the snow goes. Snow has to stay on your own lot. In the City, pushing it onto the road is an offence under Bylaw C-1166 (see can you push snow onto the road).
- Know your sidewalk rule. The public sidewalk beside your home has to be cleared within 24 hours of the most recent snowfall in the City (the 24-hour rule). PWW clears it every visit.
- Expect the windrow. The City plow leaves a ridge across your driveway after it clears your street. It is included in every PWW season plan (why the windrow happens).
Before you sign
Read the trigger depth, the season dates and what is included. The snow removal contract checklist lists the nine terms to check. Acreage, long or circular driveways are quoted separately.
FAQ
When does the snow removal season start in Grande Prairie?
PWW season plans run October 15 to April 15, with unlimited clearings after every snowfall of 5 cm or more.
Can I still sign up after the first snowfall?
Yes, if there is room on a route near you. Signing up before the first snowfall is simpler: your driveway is on the route and marked before the ground is covered.
Is there a discount for booking early?
Yes. Pay in full by October 31 and save 5%, or split it into six monthly payments.
What should I do to get my driveway ready for snow removal?
Mark the driveway edges with stakes before the ground freezes, tell the contractor about anything that sits low under the snow (paver edging, garden beds, a step or a downspout), and agree where snow can be piled on your lot.
Related: nine terms to check before you sign a snow contract