Landscape Architect Articles

SnowCare for Troops in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.03-02-16 | Department

SnowCare for Troops in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Relieving a Burden, Gives a Warm Feeling

By Darin Smith, Alpine Smith

In South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Alpine Smith employees enjoy being part of SnowCare for Troops. They donated pro bono plowing and clearing snow services for veterans and military families. Snowblower-based snow removal is an aesthetically pleasing method of snow removal, because the tractors blow snow instead of pushing it. This results in more even distribution and quicker melting of snow.

Our military personnel and veterans have sacrificed greatly to keep our freedoms free. Being involved with SnowCare for Troops raises the profile of the industry and Alpine Smith, but it is more than that.

It shows your company is about more than just plowing snow. It demonstrates the growth of our industry to become better community leaders and better employers.

SnowCare for Troops, a program supported by BOSS Snowplows, provides complimentary snow and ice removal services for families of deployed military personnel and wounded/disabled veterans.

Alpine Smith joined the program the first year as it is a great way to help those that put their lives on the line for us. Donating manpower and equipment, the snow removal company uses small tractors with front mounted snowblowers to clear the driveways of qualified families.

Alpine Smith uses Multihog tractors for driveway clearing. Their fuel consumption and emissions are low compared to larger, older equipment.

Tahoe Supply Company, LLC donated bags of ice-melt to each of the families serviced. Alpine Smith clears driveways for the entire snow season. The families did not need to worry about clearing their driveways or pay to have it cleared.

Not many difficult challenges were faced, as it was quite easy to roll these recipients into our snow removal operation which has over 970 customers.

Alpine Smith, is one of the busiest snow and ice removal operations in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. I arrived in the world-famous resort area 20 years ago after college and have built this company using a unique business model that deploys tractor-mounted snow blowers versus plows to remove some of the 125 inches of snow that falls annually at the lake level (snow levels in the mountains are much higher).

Part of that commitment includes being a Project EverGreen SnowCare for Troops volunteer.

We are currently matched with several families and the feedback has been very positive. There is a lot of gratitude from the families for the services we provide. One of the families brought us Christmas cookies and ordered pizza for the crews to say thank you.

Our snowblowers leave clean driveway edges and flat, evenly dispersed snow throughout a yard. We do not leave behind dirty snow piles or unsightly snow ramps. For more information visit www.alpinesmith.com.