With snowboarding season upon us, I thought it would be fit to share with everyone some helpful tips on how to prepare for driving in the snow. While your vehicle might be FWD, RWD, or AWD and might be a car, truck, or SUV, there are some general safety tips to follow for all vehicle owners. This first post will talk about preparing a proper snow travel pack!

Ideally snow would never end up on streets and driveways and ever cause any vehicular accidents, but science and physics rule the universe. If you plan on driving in the snow, be sure to check weather conditions to gauge exactly how bad of a situation you might be getting yourself into. Never leave your home without checking weather forecasts if you are passing through a snowy area! The main theme of this post is to always be prepared. If you do end up stopping on the road to wait for a snow storm to pass by, please be sure that you have packed a proper snow kit to deal with long periods of waiting while sitting in your vehicle.

A snow kit should be easily accessible, which means it should be located in the cabin of the vehicle and not the trunk. Be sure to pack:

- a  bright flashlight with extra batteries - If for some reason you have to leave your vehicle, don’t depend on a dollar-store key chain flashlight to show you the way. Invest in  sturdy Mag-Lite and don’t waste money on makeshift lights that are mistaken for matches.

- water and snacks – If you get snowed in and are stranded inside your automobile, you’d better have some water and munchies stashed away to make sure you don’t starve. Domino’s probably doesn’t have delivery helicopters. Fruit is always good for those day-trips, but we sure to back granola bars and other non-perishables if you’re going to be on the road for a couple days. Don’t forget to bring a non-electric can opener if you’re bringing canned edibles.

- warm gloves or mittens – Sometimes you just have to leave the safety and comfort of your car, whether it be to put on chains or to look for help. Don’t freeze your digits when you could easily keep them warm and ready for use with a pair of grandma-knitted mitts. Chains aren’t fun to handle without gloves…I’ve tried.

- tire chains/cables – In extreme winter conditions, you may have to put on some chains just to be allowed to pass through a rough patch of road. Go to your local Kragen, AutoZone or other automotive store and pick up a pair of chains that suit your specific tires. The first time I went to purchase chains I mistakenly told them the make and model of my vehicle. What you need is the alphanumeric label on the side of your tire.  For example: P205/65R-15 92S VSB. Please be sure you know how to properly set your chains/cables BEFORE you actually need them and are on the side of the road fiddling around with them.

- sand and salt – If you somehow get stuck in the snow, sand and ice might be your best friend. No, they wont give you super strength to push your car out of a rut, but they will help you get better traction on a slippery surface. Salt can be used to melt the ice. DO NOT use hot water to melt the snow or ice. Sure it might get rid of some ice, but it will just flow a few inches, freeze up again, and become even smoother. Sand can be thrown only slippery surfaces to help increase traction between your tires and the ice/road/snow. This will come extremely handy when you reach the residential areas that aren’t plowed as often.

- windshield ice-scraper and mini-shovel – My apologies if this list fills up your entire car and prevents you from seating a couple passengers. Keep in mind you don’t need all of these items. The harsher the conditions the more items you’ll want. If you end up getting stuck in a snow storm, you’ll need these tools to help you get back on your way once the weather clears up. Don’t count on your windshield wipers to blast off a mound of snow from your windshield and don’t expect to simply drive out of a pile of snow that’s been collecting around your car for a couple hours.

I hope this list helps. Some items not listed that might come in handy include a first-aid kit, flares, a sleeping bag, and a Bible. Enjoy your winter road rips and stay safe and always be prepared!