When it comes to shovelling snow, paving stones are inherently more difficult than shovelling a poured concrete or asphalt driveway.
Never fear though, shovelling is not impossible, and the benefits of interlocking stone will always outweigh the drawbacks.
When shovelling, make sure you use a plastic edged shovel to ensure you are not chipping any of the stones. When a patio is laid properly, there should be only a slight difference in height from stone to stone, although some stones have bevelled edges which can exacerbate the lippage. If using a snow blower, you may want to consider placing a plastic or rubber piece on the metal blade of your snowblower to protect the pavers from scratching.
When it comes to melting snow and ice, common rock salt can leave a brine on paving stones, and can even corrode the paving stones over time. Most paving stone manufacturers recommend using calcium chloride or calcium magnesium acetate if you must use de-icing salts on pavers. Calcium magnesium acetate is considered safe for use around plants, pets, and children and is often chosen as an eco-friendly alternative to rock salt.
We carry bags of Ice Melt in the winter at our Calgary location. We also carry a unique environmentally friendly product called eco-Traction, which is a volcanic rock product that provides anti-slip properties while not harming concrete, vegetation, animals, or footwear. We also carry pickle mix and road salt in bulk.