Winter is the time of year that is the hardest to endure for most people. This is especially true for people who live in the northern states that are covered in ice and snow for several months. Unfortunately, there is still work to be done outdoors and around the exterior of your home in the winter. When the cold winds blow and the snow falls, you want to have these five tools in your possession to help you make it through the winter until spring comes.

Shovels and Salt

You won’t likely make it through the winter without having to shovel at some point. Make sure you are ready with a few new snow shovels and a good supply of salt. Make sure to put salt down on all of your steps and walkways to avoid anyone getting hurt on your property this winter. Having good, quality shovels will truly make all the difference, especially if you have a large property or driveway. It is worth it to invest in more expensive, but more durable shovels, so that you aren’t straining your back or your legs. The more sturdy the shovel, the easier your job is. Don’t forget to put salt on your walkways and steps. Many people forget that icy stairs are one of the greatest dangers of winter.

Snow Blower

If you have an extremely large property that would take hours to shovel, you might consider investing in a snowblower to make it even easier on yourself this winter. These awesome devices will take the hard work out of keeping the snow out of your driveway, allowing you to quickly dispose of it in the morning when you are in a rush to get to work on time. With a snowblower, you can also offer assistance to some of your neighbors who aren’t able to shovel their own property, or even just their walkways. If you live near any widows or single mothers, it is nice to have a snow blower to clear their driveway or sidewalk in minutes—allowing them to get in and out of their homes safely.

Woodworking Tools

Winter means that you will be trapped inside for long stretches of time. You need to keep yourself busy to keep yourself sane. One of the best ways to do this is to find good activities that you can do inside, or even in your garage. A lot of guys enjoy getting a nice of woodworking tools they can continue to work on home improvement projects or other “fix-it” projects that they might normally work on outside. Most professional woodworkers use quality made parts for their winter projects—these tools are easy to keep in your shed, barn, or garage, which is most likely where you will be working with them. If you haven’t used these types of tools before, make sure you learn about machinery parts before you start on any projects, as we all know, woodworking tools can be dangerous, and shouldn’t be used if you don’t know what you are doing.

A Good Jack

When the roads get bad, you want to have snow tires on your car. There is no need to waste money going to an overpriced mechanic to do the job. A good jack will allow you to lift your car up in a hurry, making it a breeze for you to put on your winter tires. It is a good idea to get the proper tires on your car before it gets too cold or snowy. The last thing you want is to try to get them on in the morning so you can drive to work on a stormy day.

A Snowmobile

Truthfully, this is as much a toy as it is a tool, but every man deserves some things in his life that fit that description. If you live in a particularly snowy area, this could definitely come in handy for those bad winter storms. If the roads get bad, a snowmobile may be the only way that you can get to the store to get food or other essential items that you need. Not only can this be used as a fun, recreational vehicle, but it can help you get work done—if you need to carry supplies a far distance, you can strap them to the snowmobile instead of walking through the snow. This can come in handy for things like firewood, and transporting it to and from your home.

Winter is not a time to leave yourself unprepared., and if you are missing some of these essential tools, it may be time to invest in one or two of these. You should take all the precautions necessary to ensure that you are ready for whatever winter throws your way this year.