6 Best UTV Plow Blades for Deep Snow That Power Through Heavy Drifts
Choosing the right UTV plow for deep snow is crucial. We review the 6 best blades, analyzing their strength and design for clearing the heaviest drifts.
The alarm goes off before sunrise, but it’s the silence you notice first. A heavy, wet snow has fallen overnight, blanketing everything and, more importantly, leaving a three-foot drift at the end of your driveway. For some, this is an all-day shoveling sentence; for a UTV owner with the right plow, it’s a 30-minute mission that’s equal parts chore and thrill. Choosing the right UTV plow isn’t just about clearing a path; it’s about reclaiming your time and turning a winter obstacle into a display of raw power.
Disclosure: This site earns commissions from listed merchants at no cost to you. Thank you!
Key Features for Deep Snow UTV Plow Systems
When you’re facing snow that’s measured in feet, not inches, not all plow systems are created equal. The first thing to look for is blade height and curvature. A taller blade, typically 20 inches or more, is critical for preventing snow from avalanching over the top and back into your freshly cleared path. A more aggressive, rolled-top curvature helps the blade lift and throw the snow forward and to the side, rather than just bulldozing it, which is essential for moving heavy, wet snow with less strain on your machine.
Material and reinforcement are the backbones of a deep-snow plow. You’re not just pushing powder; you’re hitting hidden chunks of ice, frozen ground, and maybe even the curb you forgot was there. Look for heavy-gauge steel, with 11-gauge being a solid benchmark for durability. Beyond the steel’s thickness, check for robust vertical and horizontal support ribs on the back of the blade. These gussets prevent the blade from twisting or bending under the immense pressure of a compacted drift.
Finally, consider the entire system’s mechanics. A powerful and reliable winch is non-negotiable for lifting a blade heavy with snow. For deep snow, a plow-angling system is a must-have. While manual angling works for light dustings, the ability to change the blade’s angle from the driver’s seat—either with an electric motor or a full hydraulic setup—allows you to strategically slice away at drifts and direct the massive volume of snow exactly where you want it without ever leaving the cab.
BOSS XT 6’6" UTV V-Plow for Heavy Drifting
Imagine hitting a wall of snow so deep a straight blade would just stop your UTV in its tracks. This is where a V-plow, and specifically the BOSS XT, shines. By setting the blades into a "V" formation, it attacks the center of the drift first, splitting it like the bow of a ship breaking through ice. This design dramatically reduces the initial resistance, allowing you to maintain momentum and power through drifts that would stall other plows.
The true strength of the BOSS XT is its independent blade control, typically powered by a responsive hydraulic system. From a controller in your cab, you can instantly shift from the drift-busting "V" position to a "scoop" position for carrying and stacking massive amounts of snow. You can also use it as a super-efficient straight blade. This versatility means you can break through a massive windrow at the end of the driveway, then clean up the wide-open spaces without missing a beat.
Of course, this level of performance comes with trade-offs. The BOSS XT is one of the heaviest and most expensive systems on the market. It’s a serious piece of commercial-grade equipment adapted for UTVs. For someone who only gets a few light snowfalls a year, it’s definite overkill. But for those in the snowbelt who face relentless lake-effect snow or heavy, wind-driven drifts, the investment pays for itself in unmatched capability and time saved.
Warn ProVantage Tapered Plow for Cutting Swaths
Picture a long gravel driveway or a small private lane buried under a foot of fresh snow. Your goal isn’t just to punch a hole, but to efficiently clear the entire width. The Warn ProVantage Tapered Plow is engineered for precisely this scenario. Its unique design is taller at the outer edge of the blade, which acts like a funnel, directing snow further up and away as you move.
This tapered profile makes a huge difference on subsequent passes. A standard straight blade can leave a large ridge of snow (a windrow) that you have to fight with on your next pass. The tapered design throws snow farther, creating a cleaner edge and a smaller windrow. This means each pass is more effective, allowing you to clear wider areas faster and with less effort.
Warn is a legendary name in the off-road world, and their plow systems reflect that reputation for quality. The ProVantage line is built from thick 12-gauge steel and integrates seamlessly with their winches. The key decision point here is efficiency over brute force. While it may not bust through a frozen four-foot drift as effectively as a V-plow, it excels at moving a large volume of snow over a wide area with speed and control.
KFI Pro-Series 72" Straight Blade for Durability
Sometimes, the job just calls for a simple, unbreakable tool. If your property includes rough terrain, hidden stumps, or frozen ground, you need a plow that can take a beating and keep going. The KFI Pro-Series is the workhorse of the UTV plow world, built with a focus on pure, unadulterated toughness.
KFI is known for using thick, 11-gauge American steel and reinforcing its blades with heavy-duty gussets. The entire system, from the blade face to the push-tube frame that mounts underneath your UTV, is overbuilt to withstand hard impacts. This is the plow you choose when you know you’re going to hit things and durability is your absolute top priority.
What you gain in strength, you trade in features. The KFI is a traditional straight blade. It lacks the sophisticated drift-breaking of a V-plow or the snow-casting efficiency of a tapered blade. But for many users, that simplicity is a benefit. With fewer moving parts and a more straightforward design, there’s less that can go wrong. It’s a reliable, brute-force solution for users who value longevity and a reasonable price point over complex mechanics.
MotoAlliance Denali Pro 72" for All-Around Use
Not every storm drops two feet of heavy snow. Many UTV owners face a mix of conditions throughout the winter: a few inches of light powder one week, six inches of wet slush the next, and then the occasional big one. The MotoAlliance Denali Pro is designed to be the jack-of-all-trades, offering a fantastic balance of features, durability, and value for the typical homeowner or small property owner.
The Denali Pro blade often features a "county-style" profile, meaning it has a more pronounced curve from top to bottom. This helps it roll snow forward, which is effective in both light powder and heavier, wet snow. Built from 12-gauge steel, it’s tough enough for serious work but not so heavy that it overly taxes your UTV’s suspension. These plows are often sold in complete kits, making them an accessible option for those new to UTV plowing.
This plow represents a smart middle ground. It may not have the specialized prowess of the more expensive options, but it’s a massive step up from entry-level plows. For the person who needs to clear a moderately long driveway and a parking area and deals with a variety of snow types, the Denali Pro offers reliable, all-around performance without breaking the bank.
Kolpin High Rise 72" Plow for Maximum Stacking
By mid-February, the problem often isn’t just moving the snow; it’s finding a place to put it. The snowbanks along your driveway are already six feet tall, and you’re running out of room. This is the exact problem the Kolpin High Rise Plow System was designed to solve.
The magic of the High Rise system isn’t just in the blade itself, but in the innovative push-tube design. It’s engineered to provide a significantly higher lift height compared to most standard plow frames. This extra clearance allows you to lift the blade clear over the top of existing snowbanks and stack new snow even higher. In tight spaces or late in the season, this capability is a game-changer.
The blade is a sturdy, well-made unit, but the reason to choose the Kolpin High Rise is specifically for its stacking ability. If you have acres of space to push snow into, this feature might be unnecessary. But for those clearing lots, tight driveways, or areas where snow storage is a recurring headache, the ability to pile snow vertically is an invaluable advantage.
Moose RM5 72" Plow System for Quick Attachment
Your UTV is more than just a snowplow. It’s a trail machine in the fall, a workhorse for hauling wood in the summer, and a tool for getting around your property year-round. For the user who constantly switches between tasks, the hassle of attaching and detaching a plow can be a major deterrent. The Moose RM5 Plow System prioritizes speed and convenience above all else.
The standout feature is the RM5 front-mount system. After the initial installation, the entire plow assembly—blade and push tubes—can be connected or disconnected from the front of your UTV in less than a minute, often without any tools or crawling on the cold ground. You simply drive up to the plow, secure a couple of pins, connect the winch hook, and you’re ready to go. This ease of use encourages you to use your UTV for other tasks, even in the middle of winter.
The plow itself is a robust and capable unit, competitive with other top-tier straight blades in terms of construction and performance. However, the primary reason to opt for the Moose RM5 is if your UTV serves multiple purposes. If you value your time and want a seamless transition from plowing to any other activity, this system’s quick-attachment mechanism is its defining, must-have feature.
V-Plow vs. Straight Blade: Which is Best for You?
The choice between a V-plow and a straight blade isn’t about which one is superior overall, but which one is the right tool for your most common job. It’s a classic battle of specialized capability versus versatile simplicity. Making the right choice starts with an honest assessment of the snow you typically face.
A V-plow is a specialist tool for breaking through deep, heavy, and undisturbed snow. It’s the undisputed champion of the initial pass.
- Best for: Busting open long driveways after a major storm or clearing paths through deep, wind-blown drifts.
- Why: The V-shape cuts through the snow with far less resistance than a flat wall, channeling the snow to both sides.
- Bonus Use: Angled into a "scoop," it’s excellent for carrying and relocating large piles of snow.
- The Trade-Off: V-plows are heavier, mechanically complex, and carry a significantly higher price tag.
A straight blade is the versatile workhorse. It’s simpler, lighter, and more than capable for the vast majority of plowing tasks, especially after the initial path has been cleared.
- Best for: General-purpose plowing, clearing wider areas, and tasks requiring precision, like back-dragging snow away from a garage door.
- Why: It offers a clean, consistent scrape and is simpler to operate and maintain. For added efficiency, consider a tapered straight blade to help throw snow farther.
- The Trade-Off: It can struggle against a deeply compacted or frozen drift, sometimes requiring you to take smaller "bites" from the side rather than attacking it head-on.
Ultimately, the best UTV plow is the one that gets you out of the cold and back inside faster. Whether it’s the surgical precision of a V-plow or the brute simplicity of a reinforced straight blade, the goal is the same: to conquer the snow efficiently and reliably. Don’t get lost in analysis paralysis; pick the system that best matches your property and winter conditions. The right gear makes the work easier, giving you more time to enjoy the winter landscape you just tamed.
