The Quick Answer
For most Canadian driveways, a 60 inch steel blade on a mid-size ATV, or a 66 to 72 inch blade on a side by side, is the right place to start. Choose a mount built for your exact make, model and generation, lift the plow with a winch and synthetic rope (or an actuator on a UTV), and budget roughly $1,400 to $2,500 for a complete brand name ATV setup before you add a winch or a power angle. Buy now: in the first week of real snow, dealer stock of mounts for popular models disappears fast.
The one rule that matters most: Your blade must be wider than your machine's track width when it is angled. If it is not, your tires end up running over the snow you are trying to push off to the side, packing it down into ice. Do the angle math in the next section before you pick a size.Step 1: Pick the Right Blade Width
Most plows angle about 30 degrees to either side. At that angle, a blade only clears about 87 percent of its straight width. That is why a blade that looks generous on the showroom floor can come up short in a driveway.
| Blade Width | Clears When Angled 30 Degrees | Best Match |
|---|---|---|
| 50 to 54 in | About 43 to 47 in | Small and mid-size ATVs (300 to 500 cc), walkways and narrow lanes |
| 60 in | About 52 in | Most full-size ATVs (500 to 1000 cc), the default choice for a home driveway |
| 66 in | About 57 in | Big-bore ATVs and smaller side by sides |
| 72 in | About 62 in | Full-size utility side by sides like the Defender, Ranger or Kubota RTV |
| Over 72 in or V-blade | Varies | Full-size UTVs doing long lanes, farmyards or light commercial work |
Measure your machine's width at the outside of the tires, then compare it to the angled clearance. Going much wider than you need is not free, either. A big blade on a small ATV is hard to push through heavy, wet snow and adds strain to the machine.
Step 2: Steel, Poly or Flex Blade
| Blade Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Cheapest, rigid, handles heavy wet snow and packed ridges | Heavier, can rust once the paint chips, snow can stick to it |
| Poly (plastic face) | Snow slides off, no rust, lighter on the front end | Costs more, the face can crack in extreme cold if it takes a hard hit |
| Flex (Can-Am Flex2 and similar) | Flexes on impact instead of bending, quieter, rolls snow well | Costs the most |
Whatever you choose, budget for a replaceable wear bar along the bottom edge. It takes the abuse from gravel and pavement so the blade itself does not. A plastic or rubber wear edge is gentler on interlock and paved driveways, while steel lasts longer on gravel.
Step 3: Mid-Mount or Front-Mount
On an ATV, the push frame attaches either under the middle of the machine (mid-mount, sometimes called centre mount) or to the front (front-mount).
- Mid-mount pushes from closer to the centre of the machine. You get better leverage, more downforce on the blade and less strain on the front suspension. It is the most common choice for serious plowing. The trade-off: it hangs under the machine, so you lose some ground clearance, and it takes a little longer to install.
- Front-mount is quicker to attach and remove, and it keeps the underside clear for trail riding. It puts more load on the front end, and the blade can lift more easily on heavy snow.
On side by sides, plows are front-mounted to a mount plate on the frame, and most brands have their own quick-attach systems. Can-Am's ProMount and Polaris's Glacier systems both use a mount plate that stays on the machine, with a push frame that clips on in seconds for the winter.
Fitment is generation specific. A mount for a 2022 Outlander will not necessarily fit a 2024. Aftermarket mounts are often listed by model year and generation. KFI, for example, sells a separate mid-mount plate for the 2023 and newer G3 Outlander. Always enter your exact make, model, year and trim in the fitment tool before you order.Step 4: How You Lift and Angle the Blade
Lifting. Most ATV plows are lifted with the machine's winch. If your ATV does not have one, add the cost of a winch to the budget. Swap steel cable for synthetic rope, which is lighter, does not kink and will not snap back if it breaks. Add a roller fairlead and a plow limit switch. The limit switch stops the winch automatically when the blade is fully raised, so you do not overpull the rope or crush the fairlead. Our winch buying guide covers sizing in detail. On UTVs, a dedicated lift actuator is a popular upgrade that leaves the winch free for recovery.
Angling. Basic plows angle manually: you step off the machine, pull a pin, swing the blade and drop the pin back in. An electric or hydraulic angle system lets you change angle from the seat. It is a big upgrade if you plow often or have a long lane, but it is also one of the most expensive add-ons.
What a Plow Setup Actually Costs in Canada
Here is a real example using Can-Am's own ProMount parts at a Canadian dealer's listed prices for an Outlander. Other brands come in at similar levels for their factory systems, and aftermarket brands like KFI, Moose and Denali are often cheaper.
| Part (Can-Am ProMount, ATV) | Listed Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Push frame with quick-attach | $689.99 |
| Mounting plate (G2) | $204.99 |
| 60 in steel blade | $509.99 |
| Basic system total | About $1,405 |
| Upgrade: 72 in steel blade instead | $829.99 |
| Upgrade: Flex2 66 in blade instead | $789.99 |
| Add: power plow angling system | $909.99 |
| Add: plow limit switch | $169.99 |
| Add: synthetic winch rope for plowing | $64.99 |
| Add: roller fairlead | $94.99 |
| Add: back drag blade (for garage doors) | $384.99 |
So a basic manual setup starts around $1,400, and a fully loaded one with a power angle and accessories easily goes past $3,000, before taxes and installation and before the winch itself. Prices change, so check with your dealer.
Polaris owners have a similar choice in the Glacier Pro Series: 52 and 60 inch steel blades and a 66 inch poly blade, with complete Sportsman kits that include the mount, frame and blade, plus higher-end kits that add a hydraulic angle system, plow markers and a snow deflector.
Buying used
Used plows show up on the market every fall, often with the machine they came on. A used system can save hundreds, but check that the mount matches your exact model and generation, look for cracks or bends in the push tubes and frame, and ask whether the shear pin or springs have been replaced. Browse ATV and UTV parts for sale or list the plow you no longer need.
Useful Accessories
| Accessory | Why You Want It |
|---|---|
| Plow markers | Tall flags on the blade ends so you can see the edges in deep snow and in the dark |
| Snow deflector | A rubber flap on top of the blade that stops snow spilling over onto the hood and you |
| Blade shoes | Skids that hold the blade just off the ground, ideal for gravel driveways so you do not scrape up stones |
| Side wings or extensions | Add width and keep snow in front of the blade when pushing straight |
| Tire chains | The single biggest traction upgrade on ice and packed snow |
| Heated grips and hand guards | On an ATV in a Canadian January, these are not a luxury |
Set Up Your Machine for Plowing
- Plow in low range and 4WD. Pushing snow in high range makes a CVT belt slip and overheat. Low range keeps the belt engaged and is the single best way to protect it.
- Add rear weight. A heavy blade lifts weight off the rear wheels. Ballast in the rear rack or box, or a weight box, brings back traction.
- Check the battery and charging. Winches draw a lot of current, and cold weakens batteries. A battery tender between storms helps.
- Grease and check the shear pin. The pin on the angle mechanism is designed to break if you hit an obstacle with the end of the blade, which protects the frame. Carry a spare.
- Mark your obstacles before the snow falls. Put stakes beside curbs, garden edges, drain covers and the edge of the driveway.
- Switch to winter fluids. Follow our winterizing guide for oil, coolant and fuel advice, even if you are riding all winter.
Plowing Technique That Saves Your Machine
Plow early and often. Two passes of 15 cm of snow are much easier than one pass of 30 cm. Push snow to the downwind side so it does not blow back. Do not ram snowbanks at speed: stack the snow by pushing slowly and lifting the blade as you go. Leave space at the end of the driveway for the municipal plow's windrow. And near the garage door, back-drag the snow away from the door instead of pushing it into it.
Thinking about buying a machine specifically for winter work? A full-size side by side with a cab and heater makes plowing a much more comfortable job. Browse used side by sides or used ATVs for sale in Canada, and run the numbers with our payment calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size snow plow do I need for my ATV?
For most full-size ATVs from 500 to 1000 cc, a 60 inch blade is the right choice. Smaller ATVs suit a 50 to 54 inch blade, and big-bore ATVs can handle 66 inches. Make sure the blade is still wider than your tires when it is angled about 30 degrees.
How much does an ATV snow plow cost in Canada?
A complete brand-name system with mount, push frame and a 60 inch steel blade costs roughly $1,400 to $2,500 in Canada. A power angle system, limit switch, synthetic rope and other accessories can push the total past $3,000. Aftermarket brands are often cheaper. You also need a winch if your machine does not already have one.
Is a mid-mount or front-mount plow better?
A mid-mount plow gives better leverage and puts less stress on the front suspension, so it is usually better for heavy plowing. A front-mount plow is easier to attach and remove, and it keeps the underside clear for trail riding.
Should I get a steel or poly plow blade?
Steel is the cheapest and most rigid, which is good for heavy snow. Poly blades shed snow better, do not rust and are lighter, but cost more. Flex blades bend on impact instead of denting, but are the most expensive.
Will plowing damage my ATV or UTV?
Not if you set it up properly. Plow in low range and 4WD to protect the CVT belt, add rear ballast for traction, use a winch limit switch and synthetic rope, and avoid ramming snowbanks. The shear pin on the plow is designed to break before the frame bends.
Do I need a winch to use an ATV plow?
Usually yes. Most ATV plows are raised and lowered with the front winch. Some side by side setups use a dedicated electric or hydraulic lift actuator instead, which leaves the winch free for recovery.
Prices are listed dealer prices in Canadian dollars as of October 2026 and exclude taxes and installation. Fitment varies by make, model, year and generation. Confirm compatibility and current pricing with your dealer before buying, and follow your vehicle and plow manufacturer's instructions.
