If you sit on a strata council or manage a strata property in the Lower Mainland, you already know winter is not just about pretty snow on the trees.
It is about tight timelines, black ice that appears out of nowhere, and residents who expect every walkway to be safe before work and school. One missed storm can turn into complaints, insurance questions, and a lot of stress on your end.
This strata snow removal checklist is written for you. It shows what needs to happen before, during, and after each snowfall and how Image Salt and Plow takes those jobs off your plate once you are on a contract.
Who is this Snow Removal checklist for?
This guide is built for:
- Council members who want a clear plan for winter, not just another line item on the budget
- Property managers who are tired of chasing unreliable providers after every storm
- Owners who are responsible for slip and fall risk and want proof that they did things the right way
If that sounds like you, keep this checklist in mind as you plan strata snow removal in the Lower Mainland and think about whether your current setup actually gives you peace of mind.
Before the first snowfall
1. Make roles clear
Start by deciding who is responsible for winter decisions inside your strata:
- Who contacts or coordinates with your snow removal contractor if needed
- Who keeps basic records of service and issues
- Who residents should talk to if they see a safety concern
Write this down and share it with the council and management so there is no confusion once storms start.
2. Choose the right contract term
One of the most important parts of your strata snow removal checklist is how you structure the relationship with your provider. At Image Salt and Plow you can choose from three contract terms that all include proactive service and priority routing
- One year contract for flexible short term commitment with locked rates for the season
- Three year contract for predictable pricing and a stable relationship with our team
- Five year contract for long term price stability, top priority on our routes, and a truly hands off winter for your council
Once your contract is in place, you do not need to make separate decisions for each storm. Your property is on our route and we move when the forecast and ground conditions say it is time.
Read Also: Why booking Snow Clearing Services early is the key to Winter Safety?
3. Walk the site with winter in mind
Do a full walk of the site and look at it as if there was snow and ice on every surface. Pay special attention to:
- Parkade ramps and sloped entrances
- Shaded sidewalks and paths that stay icy longer
- Tight corners where snow piles could block sightlines or stalls
- Drains and catch basins that might get buried and cause meltwater to pool
Share these notes with your contractor so they understand where risk is highest on your property.
4. Confirm what is included in service
Be specific about what needs to be cleared when crews attend. For most strata properties this means:
- Parking lot
- Internal roads and lanes
- Sidewalks and common walkways
Clarify any areas that are excluded or handled by individual owners so expectations are realistic on all sides.
Read Also: Snow Removal Duties of Property Owners and Occupants
5. Set expectations with residents
Even with a great provider, winter goes smoother when residents understand how things work. Before the season starts, send a building message that covers
- That your strata has a snow removal plan in place with a contractor
- How soon they can reasonably expect surfaces to be cleared after snow begins
- Where they should avoid parking during larger storms
- Who to contact if they notice an unsafe area
You do not need a long policy document. A clear message with simple language is often enough to show people that the council is on top of things.
During a snowfall
What your strata needs and how Image Salt and Plow handles it
Once snow or freezing rain starts, the checklist becomes more about timing and communication. This is where a contract with automatic service changes your work life completely.
6. Monitor risk, not just snow depth
In the Lower Mainland, the snow on the ground is only part of the story. Freezing rain, melt and refreeze cycles, and black ice can be just as dangerous.
When you are on contract with Image Salt and Plow, our team watches the forecast and ground conditions so you do not have to. We look for
- Air and ground temperatures
- Recent moisture and expected refreeze
- Timing of storms relative to morning and evening traffic in your comple
Instead of waiting for residents to complain, we schedule salting and plowing based on risk and access.
7. Keep your internal communication simple
Inside your strata, you still want a simple routine for communication during storms. It can be as basic as
- One council member who keeps an eye on property conditions
- A shared email where residents can report urgent issues
- A quick internal note after big events saying that service has been completed
From our side, we arrive according to the contract, complete the work, and document the service. When you need details for a council meeting or insurance conversation, we can provide clear information about when your site was serviced.
8. Focus on access points and high traffic routes
Your residents do not think in terms of property maps. They think about how they move through space every day. Your checklist during active weather should always keep three routes in mind
- Main entrances and lobby access
- Parkade or parking lot entrances and primary walking routes to doors
- Mail, garbage, and recycling paths
Our crews are trained to clear these areas as priorities and then work outward. That way, even during ongoing snowfall, people can enter and exit the property safely while deeper clearing continues.
After the storm
Protect your residents and your records
Do a quick site check
Once service is complete and conditions have settled, a simple walkthrough can prevent problems later. Look for:
- Remaining slick spots in shade or on ramps
- Snow piles blocking drains or creating large meltwater flows
- Areas where vehicles have compacted snow into ice
If your snow removal contractor missed an area or you see a new issue, let them know so it can be corrected.
10. Make a short record of each major event
After a significant snowfall or ice event, add a short note to your records that covers:
- Date and a brief description of the weather
- When the contractor serviced the property
- Any issues reported by residents and what was done
Over the season, this becomes a simple but useful record for council, insurers, and anyone who needs to understand how winter risk was handled.
11. Review how the season is going
Mid season and at the end of winter, take a few minutes to review:
- Whether residents felt safe getting in and out of the property
- Any recurring trouble spots that kept coming up
- Any times you were unsure about when service would happen
Share this feedback with your contractor. Small adjustments in timing, focus areas, or salting frequency can make a big difference in how the next season feels on the ground.
Why does a Snow Removal contract with Image Salt and Plow simplify your checklist?
When you look at everything on this checklist, it becomes clear that snow and ice management is more than “getting someone to plow.” It is planning, communication, and consistent follow through across the whole season.
For all this you need a snow removal contractor that not only operates on contract and treats your property as an ongoing responsibility, not a one time job.
With Image Salt and Plow you get:
- Contract based snow removal service with one year, three year, or five year term options
- Automatic dispatch based on weather and risk, not last minute calls
- Full property coverage including parking lots, internal roads, sidewalks, and walkways
- Experienced crews, proper equipment, and products that are effective and pet friendly
Next step for your strata
If you would like help setting up a reliable winter plan for your strata in the Lower Mainland, reach out to Image Salt and Plow. We work with strata councils and property managers across the region and can walk your site, talk through your risk areas, and recommend a contract structure that fits your property.
Contact Image Salt and Plow to talk about strata snow removal and get your winter plan in place before the next storm.
