Choosing independent travel for your 2007/8 ski holiday is a great idea and promises an exciting trip taking in a variety of slopes as well as offering significant savings against traditional package tours. However, with independent travel come extra responsibilities. That's why we have produced this 'Snow Safe' guide to help your trip pass smoothly leaving only happy memories and great pictures!
Packing the essentials
Driving in snowy mountains requires either 4-wheel drive or snow-chains. If you opt for snow-chains then a couple of extra items in your luggage will provide invaluable road side assistance on your trip:
- Ground sheet, ideally plastic, to keep you dry while you fit the chains
- Rubber gloves, to keep your good gloves protected and dry while fitting chains
- Torch
Along with the obvious everyday cold weather driving essentials:
- De-icer or plastic scraper
- First aid kit, even when a basic first aid kit is provided in countries where you legally need to carry one you should customise it to your party's needs
- Plenty of fuel to keep the heater running in case you are held up along with food and water (as always for long trips!)
Choosing your vehicle
The most cost-effective option is a standard vehicle with snow-chains. Do consider a model with air conditioning as this will speedily demist your windscreen. If you have budget to upgrade to a four wheel drive vehicle this will keep you moving without having to stop and fit chains in snowier conditions.
How to fit snow chains (ladder style chains)
- Snow chains must be fitted to the driving wheels of your vehicle:
- Rear-wheel drive: fit to rear wheels
- Front-wheel rive: fit to front wheels
- Four-wheel drive: fit to front wheels
- Ensure you have correctly fitting chains before leaving the car-rental premises
- Do not use a jack to lift your car as icy conditions make it very easy for the car to slide off
- Place the hoops without levers over the tyres and carefully drive forward or backward just a quarter of the wheel's circumference
- Reach behind the tyre and hook up the inner hoop as tightly as possible
- Place the loose piece of chain on the outside of the tyre over the lever and tighten
- Hook the keeper over the end of the end-lever and slip any excess chain over the lever
- Drive for a few metres, stop and re-tighten chains
Driving with snow chains
- Keep your speed under 40mph
- Go slowly at first to get used to how snow chains change the way your vehicle handles
- Only use snow chains in areas you need them - do not put them on early or leave them on after you are clear of snow and ice
General winter driving tips
Driving on slippery roads requires extra care and attention and gentle use of controls. We recommend:
- Use only gradual pressure on the accelerator to avoid wheel spin
- Avoid unnecessary gear changes
- Use low gears on slippery and downhill roads
- Brake gently to avoid wheel lock
- Try the brakes gently when you reach snowy roads to get used to using them
- Use short pedal pumps when braking to help your wheels maintain grip
- Avoid braking on corners
- Leave at least twice the normal distance between you and the vehicle in front, approximately 6 seconds gap is a good guideline
- Use headlights and fog lights when it's snowing
- On hills: give right of way to the vehicle travelling uphill, it is much harder for to start again uphill than downhill
- Do not overtake when visibility is impaired
- In an emergency it is always better to try and control the situation by steering rather than braking to avoid losing control in a skid
- If you do skid, turn the front wheels into the direction of the skid, release the brake and disengage the clutch. You can gently apply brakes ONLY after the skid ceases
Checking your rental vehicle
We strongly advise you to make a thorough check of the condition of your rental vehicle before signing the agreement. Remember to look in less obvious places such as the underside, interior, wheels, windows and roof. Ensure any existing damage is marked on the rental agreement before signing. Good tread on tyres and a working demister are going to be of special importance for any winter driving holidays.
Click here to book your ski holiday car hire.
