Comment by spditner

I have found the lowest energy way to shovel snow is to stand with a bit of a bow stance and push the shovel front to back as if you were paddling a boat, pushing down on the end of the handle at the end to launch the snow. Very easy on the back.

If heavier snow, sink into it a bit to transfer more energy.

Works well up to depth of the shovel head, so for deep snow, skim first, and repeat.

For wet snow, launch earlier, but sorry, it’s still hard work.