hey ATV/qaud guys...need some advice

I think you would be better off with a traditional walk behind snow blower for him. It will take a high HP machine, and experience with that machine, to effectively and safely plow snow. I use ATV's everyday with my job. overweighted rack loads, trailers, overland, severe terrain to asphalt, snow to desert sand. If you have the money, Polaris machines are the way to go. Excellent for chore work, but they will be too much IMO for a 9yo..