The City of Medicine Hat says its snow and ice removal team is ready for whatever winter decides to bring this year.--Submitted photo
Winter is on its way, and the City of Medicine Hat’s Snow and Ice Control team is ready to keep roads, sidewalks, and public spaces safe and accessible. Behind every cleared road and sidewalk is a dedicated team of operating staff who take a lot of pride in their work.
Long before most residents begin their morning commute, crews are already out in the cold, working through the early hours to ensure streets are safe and passable. Whether it’s a heavy overnight snowfall or a sudden freeze, staff respond with skill, care, and commitment. These efforts reflect a deep sense of responsibility to the job and to the community they serve.
With winter around the corner, we’re here to help residents stay ready and informed. We encourage Hatters to stay up to date on winter-related city services and tips, including how our snow removal operations work, reminders about sidewalk clearing, and more:
Snow and ice control program
Our snow and ice control program is an essential service designed to ensure safe and efficient travel during the winter months. Like other municipalities, we prioritize our response based on road type, traffic volume, and emergency access:
Category 1 routes (emergency and arterial roads) – These are cleared within 24 hours of snowfall ending.
Category 2 routes (school zones, transit routes) – These are addressed within 24 hours after the completion of Category 1 routes by means of traction control or clearing as required
Category 3 routes (residential streets) – These are addressed after Category 2 as conditions allow. The focus is on traction control and maintaining emergency access.
This tiered approach ensures that critical routes are maintained first, supporting emergency services and high-traffic areas before moving on to other roads in the city.
Meet our fleet
Our snow and ice control fleet includes four graders and 11 sanders, plus plow trucks, sidewalk machines, and snow blowers. In a fun twist, we held a Name the Fleet contest last year, inviting residents to name these machines. Some winning names included Taylor Drift, Slim Gradey, Darth Blader and Colonel Sanders. These names will be on equipment again this winter. When you see our snow and ice control equipment out working this winter, we ask that you give them space to operate safely.
No parking during snow removal
Residents are reminded to obey all posted no parking signs, especially during active snow removal operations. This helps us efficiently clear snow. Vehicles that remain parked on these roads delay our operations and create hazards for both workers and drivers. Help keep our fleet moving smoothly by giving them the space they need to do their job safely and effectively.
Sidewalk clearing
Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their homes within 24 hours of a snowfall. This helps prevent slips and falls and keeps our community safe. Residents are encouraged to use sand or other granular materials instead of salt, which can damage vegetation, corrode infrastructure, and harm pets. Being a good neighbour also means lending a hand where possible. Shovelling snow helps keep pathways safe and accessible for everyone, especially seniors, children, and those with mobility challenges.
Public sand boxes for sidewalk safety
To help residents maintain safe sidewalks, we provide free sidewalk sand at five public locations:
– Fourth Avenue NE, behind Shamrock Bottle Depot
– Big Marble Go Centre, north parking lot
– Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, west of Kinplex
– Southlands Drive SE, near Chartwell Place SE
– Municipal Works, 188 Kipling St SE, front parking lot
Bring your own container (up to five gallons) and a shovel. Supply is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If a bin is empty, call 403-529-8177 to report it. Keep your eyes open for a couple new locations coming soon!
Stay informed
For more information on service levels and priority routes, please visit the City of Medicine Hat’s Snow & Ice Control page. Operational updates may also be shared through the City’s weekly Neat to Know newsletter and on social media as they arise.
Trevor Funk is manager of surface operations, municipal works, City of Medicine Hat
