We hae an old cabin in the lakes basin of Mammoth Lakes,

There are various trade-offs to consider when deciding whether to remove snow from your roof or allow it to maintain itself.

When assessing the benefits and drawbacks, keep the following things in mind:Advantages of clearing snowlowering the weight that the building must hold lowers the chance of a roof collapsing by removing some of the snow load from the roof.

Prevents ice dams: Clearing snow from the roof can help avoid the creation of ice dams, which can cause water damage to the interior of the cabin.

Increasing energy efficiency: If you decide to switch on the heat in the cabin, clearing the roof of snow can do so because it makes it easier for the heat to enter the roof and melt the snow.

Drawbacks to clearing snow:Danger of roof damage: If you remove snow from the roof with sharp instruments or too much power, you risk damaging the roof's surface or underlying structure.

Uneven load distribution: As snow is cleared from one portion of the roof, the load distribution may become uneven, which could increase the likelihood that other parts of the roof would collapse.

Risks to safety: Clearing snow off the roof can be hazardous, particularly if you lack the necessary skills or equipment. Roof falls can result in fatalities or very serious injuries.

Reasons to let the snow support itself include:Saves time and money: Leaving the snow in place can save time and money compared to having it removed.

Maintains even weight distribution: By leaving the snow in place, you keep the roof's burden distributed evenly, lowering the likelihood that any one location would experience a collapse.

Natural insulation: The snow on the roof acts as natural insulation, allowing the cabin to stay warmer for longer periods of time while using less energy.

Cons of letting the snow support itself:

• Increased risk of collapse: Allowing the snow to accumulate on the roof increases the weight that the structure must support, which can increase the risk of collapse.

• Increased risk of ice dams: If the snow on the roof melts and refreezes, it can create ice dams, which can cause water damage to the interior of the cabin.

• Reduced energy efficiency: If the snow on the roof is thick enough, it can reduce the energy efficiency of the cabin by preventing heat from penetrating the roof and melting the snow.

In summary, the decision to remove snow from your roof or to let it support itself involves weighing the pros and cons of each option.

1. Even distribution of snow load: Evenly distributed loads are generally easier for a structure to handle compared to uneven or concentrated loads. However, this doesn't mean the cabin is immune to potential issues from the weight of the snow.

2. Heating the cabin: Heating the cabin while you are there to remove the snow could cause some melting and refreezing, which might lead to ice dams and additional stress on the structure. However, the overall impact of this would depend on various factors like insulation, ventilation, and the amount of snow on the roof.

3. Removing snow: Removing some of the snow could reduce the overall load on the structure, but it might be difficult or even unsafe to remove snow from a sloped, buried cabin. Additionally, you mentioned limited access during the winter, which could make the task more challenging.

4. History of the cabin: The cabin has survived many winters, including heavy snowfalls, which could be an indication that it can handle this year's record snowfall as well. However, this is not a guarantee, as each situation is unique.