My Drive is also what I call a fat quarter mile and my two neighbors jump at the sight of snow. They both love to plow so I am never in need of doing the long part. I do use a big snow blower for the part near the house. Have to get the garage open so cars can move. A jeep did slide down the hill once when the drive was a sheet of ice. The only thing that stopped it was a huge patch of bamboo at the bottom.
I also shovel paths for my little dog to run around on.