Snow and Ice Control Program

Please note that Town winter operations crews work in conjunction with the Alberta Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors, which is responsible for snow and ice control on Highways 2A and 53 in Ponoka. 

Inquiries related to snow and ice control on those provincial roadways can be directed to their contractor, Mainroad Alberta Contracting LP, at 1-877-875-3263. Click here to view Mainroad's Frequently Asked Questions on winter operations.

The Town of Ponoka's Snow and Ice Control Policy states that snow and ice control operations along Town roadways will commence upon a snow accumulation of 10 centimetres or four inches. 

Snow and ice control operations may commence earlier depending on road conditions and the weather forecast.

To view the Snow and Ice Control Policy, please click here.

Snow and ice control operations are conducted within the Town’s annual snow removal budget which is based on average winter snowfall conditions over the past 10 years and is approved by Town Council.  

Snow and ice control operations are conducted first on priority routes in the Town of Ponoka, which include high-volume roadways, such as emergency, school bus and connector routes. 

To view the Town’s Priority Routes Map, please click here.

There are four residential zones and two commercial/industrial zones in the Town of Ponoka:

• Zone 1 - Lucas Heights
• Zone 2 - North End
• Zone 3 - Central District
• Zone 4 - Riverside
• Zone 5 - Commercial/Industrial
• Zone 6 - Downtown Core

To view the Snow and Ice Control Zone Map, please click here. Snow and ice control operations in residential areas are completed on a rotational basis starting in a different zone each year.

Please note that changing weather conditions and new snowfall events can require crews to direct their attention back to priority routes and delay planned snow removal operations. As a result, crews may not complete the entire zone and will return at a later date.

Removing your vehicle from the road also helps crews conduct snow and ice control operations safely and more efficiently.

• The Town of Ponoka uses a mixture of three per cent salt (sodium chloride) and sand on the roads during the winter months.  
• The 'sand' is a 5mm of crushed chip with fines (sand) to provide drivers with some added traction in winter conditions.
• The percentage of road salt used by the Town is primarily to keep the sand from clumping and to provide some initial melting to ensure the road sand stays in place. However, at temperatures below -15 C salt loses its effectiveness on the roads.
• While the sand does offer some benefit, winter roads are always going to be more slippery in frigid temperatures. Drivers are urged to please slow down and drive for the conditions.

Crews sand and clear snow on sidewalks adjacent to Town-owned properties and on walking trails, as well as clearing snow from park furniture (benches, picnic tables, etc.) in Town parks and throughout the trail system.