We haven't had a snowblower at my grandparents since the October snowstorm of 1997. It decided to go on a permanent strike once we pulled up the garage, so from that day on, every snowstorm we had up till 2004 when i finally left was done by the strength of my hands and back alone. Since i moved away, they just hired someone to do it, until i moved back after my grandfather passed away, now i shovel it again. Told myself i was gonna buy one for my grandmother, but since we had such a warm and dry winter, i put it off. Maybe this summer when they are on clearance.