Power side steps in snow

[huck572]

Has anyone who lives in a place that gets snow figured out a way to get the power side steps to function properly once they get snowy?

Last winter I had them stowed anytime the roads had any snow on them. But that doesn’t really work well with young kids who aren’t big enough to step in without the steps or older parents who have a much easier time getting in with the steps. So this year I put Weathertech mud flaps on hoping they would help. They help keep snow off the rocker panel but that’s it. Snow still builds up on the hinges of the steps. They’ll go up when they’re supposed to but not enough to stay stowed. We’ve had snow for a little over a week and I’d throw them in the garbage already if I could. It’s frustrating as hell that these things that cost me $2000 aren’t designed to function in a market that they’re sold in.

Any help would be appreciated

I have a 2022 Yukon XL and mine do the same thing in winter. Mine go up and then back down but it happens not just from snow. Salt and this anti-skid (stones) they put down get in the hinges so when I get them up I have to go around in winter when I need them most retracted most of the time. I tried the silicone but it didn't work too well. When I get a decent day I hose them out real well and spray them and they'll work until the next snow arrives then it's back to no running boards. Frustrating.