Can I simply :-) chip out the mortar between the flagstone pieces, and refill those seams each year with sand or some such thing?

We're in the Tyrolean Alps, and get a lot of snow each winter.

Thanks for your advice and patience with an admitted newby.

Tschuss!

To answer your questions:
We get down to about minus-5 Fahrenheit (-20 C).
Unfortunately I don't know what the stones are laid on, nor who the installer was--or even when installed.

I just hate the thought of having to pull everything up and relay the stone unless necessary. (What I'd love to do is pressure steam clean them... and as little else as possible. But, is that realistic?

Thanks!