It was the Wirecutter-recommended True Temper Ergonomic Mountain Mover. With the help of the shovel, Ryan and her partner cleared the entire 12-by-5-foot deck in a couple of hours.

I am the last person who should need a snow shovel. Sure, I grew up in New England, clearing my share of front walks and pond ice, but now I live in San Francisco. The closest I get to a blizzard ...