Mrcoldone does not want to do that.
I can appreciate Mr. ColdOne’s wishes. I think I would feel the same way.
Ouch, yes.
If you can, it may be possible to melt the snow and thaw the ground using kerosene or diesel, whichever is cheaper.
But you need to thaw a wider area than you will be digging.
There’s a fair chance that beneath all that snow the earth has been warming a bit. Snow is a good insulator.
Consider doing a test dig to check the soil conditions.
Another possibility, after setting up a temporary morgue in the garage or shed, is to make a “cold frame” as one would for setting out plants.
With any sunshine at all, the glass and insulated temporary structure will warm the soil enough to get the job done. I have a lot of pets keeping long watch on the hillside.