Driving in alpine areas
Knowing how to drive on winding mountain roads, in snow and icy conditions, is an important skill to acquire. Travelling on alpine roads in winter can be dangerous unless special driving techniques are used. Even where snow has been cleared from the road, the surface may still be covered by a film of snow or ice.
Snow Driving: The Basics
There are basic rules to follow when driving in snow conditions. Like skiing or boarding, driving in snow and icy conditions is an acquired skill. Extreme care is required when driving on alpine roads in winter. Planning is essential to ensure your car is in good condition and you have all the necessary equipment for a safe journey.
Observe local speed limits in resorts, chain fitting bays and elsewhere.
Before leaving the ski fields, be sure to clear any snow from the car roof, to avoid creating a road hazard to other vehicles. Failure to do so is an offence.
Drive cautiously with gradual pressure on the accelerator to avoid wheel spin. The slowest speed is not always best.,Sometimes a slightly higher speed can help you maintain momentum through snow drifts or travelling up hills.
Avoid unnecessary gear changes. Engage first or second gear on level ground (including in an automatic vehicle) before ascending or descending hills in snow or ice conditions.
Brake gently. Front and rear wheels can lock easily causing loss of steering and control.
Keep well behind the vehicles in front.
Avoid braking going around corners. Brake before the corner while the wheels are straight.
Keep well away from snow clearing machines. It is often necessary to reverse these machines, and snow clearing operators may not be able to see you in a snowdrift or when it is snowing. The fountain of snow coming from the blower may also contain ice chunks and stones.
Do not overtake snow clearing machines until they have stopped blowing snow.
Be patient approaching large vehicles, such as buses, and only overtake if the visibility is good.
Other helpful hints
Clear all glass and mirrors of ice before attempting to drive away from snowfields.
For fast demisting of the front windscreen, use the car’s heater and fan in conjunction with the vehicle’s air-conditioner.
Warm the engine for a few minutes before driving off.
Have a spare set of keys.
Driving on alpine roads not only requires concentration and adept driving skills, but also a lot of patience. Keep your cool if stuck in a long queue of traffic, and always follow the directions given to your y resort staff and road signs. They are there to ensure your safety.
Poor visibility
If low visibility (or white-out) conditions occur and the road ahead and snow poles are not visible, bring your vehicle to a stop, leave the motor running and switch on your hazard lights.
Travel in daylight hours whenever possible. It is difficult to judge distances in the snow at night.
If the visibility is poor, drive with your headlights on low beam. Use front and rear demisters, with air-conditioning on, to ensure windscreens are clear at all times.
Remember that when meeting oncoming vehicles, common sense dictates that the vehicle going up has right of way. It is much harder for an ascending vehicle to start again if it has to stop.
Braking and skidding
On icy or snow covered roads always use your brakes gently and drive slowly. If you lose traction it is better to control your car by steering rather than braking. If you are to hit a snow bank or get stuck in a snow drift it is better than going over the edge! Keep some distance from vehicles in front of you and give yourself plenty of time to stop.
Windscreens
There are basic rules to follow when driving in snow conditions. Like skiing or snowboarding, driving in snow and ice conditions is an acquired skill. Extreme care is required when driving on alpine roads in winter. Planning is essential to ensure your car is in good condition and you have all the necessary equipment for a safe journey.
Windscreens today are laminated which means that they are effectively two pieces of glass. Windscreens have been designed this way to increase the safety to passengers within the vehicle when a stone flicks up and hits the screen.
Safety tips
Reduce the risk of windscreen damage by following these simple tips:
If parking in the snowfields for an extended period, lift the wipers from your windscreen or place them in a plastic bag to ensure that they do not stick to the windscreen.
Before attempting to drive away from snowfields, clear all glass and mirrors of ice. Carry an ice-scraper to clear the bulk of the snow. Never use hot water.
To demist your front windscreen quickly, use the car’s heater and fan in conjunction with air-conditioning.
If your windscreen is damaged
Whether as a result of bad luck or poor choices, sometimes windscreens do sustain damage. There are steps you can take to minimise the damage:
To decrease the chance of spreading windscreen damage, avoid using the car heater or air-conditioner, driving on rough or bumpy roads and extremely hot or cold conditions.
To prevent contamination in a damaged area, do not wash the windscreen before repairing it.
To prevent your windscreen from cracking in cold weather, do not pour hot water over it.
Parking
When parking in the snowfields, it is important to choose a safe location to leave your car and to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of damage due to freezing conditions.
Parking safety tips
Always follow directions of resort staff and road signs. They are there for your safety.
Park only where directed. If you do not, you run the risk of another vehicle or snow clearing vehicle running into what looks to the driver like just another drift of snow.
Do not apply the handbrake. Moisture can freeze the cables and brake linings.
Leave the car in gear with the front wheels turned away from the slope.
Always park as close to the bank as possible to leave room for two-way traffic.
Do not use rocks to chock wheels as they may damage snow clearing machines.
Don’t use wooden chocks as these tend to slip on icy surfaces.
Remove wheel chocks from the parking area when leaving.
Prevent damage to your car
Freezing conditions can cause damage to your car, so take time to prepare your car when parking for extended periods.
Cover the radiator to help prevent freezing.
Lift your wipers from the windscreen or place them in a plastic bag if parking for an extended period so that they do not stick to the glass.
Cover door locks with masking tape to stop the locks from freezing up.
Return to the car periodically to clear snow on and around the vehicle.
Even if chains were not required to enter the area it is advisable to fit them when parking. It is much easier than trying to fit them later for the return trip if weather conditions change or the vehicle is snowbound.
Chain Fitting
Fit chains at bays where you see the ‘Fit Chains Here’ sign. For two wheel drive vehicles, always fit chains to the driving wheels only. When required, chains should be fitted as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. On four wheel drives, the chain location is usually determined by the vehicles power distribution. If your four wheel drive is front wheel drive, chains should be fitted to the front two wheels, whereas if it is rear wheel drive, chains should be fitted to the back two wheels.
At all alpine resorts you can be fined for not carrying and fitting chains as directed
Chain fitting bays are level and make fitting easier. If you don’t use the chain fitting bay you may find yourself in a lot of trouble. Chains are hard to fit on slopes, and you will obstruct other vehicles and snow clearing equipment.
If it has not been necessary to fit chains when travelling to the resort, it is advisable to fit them upon arrival in preparation for the return trip. It is quite difficult to fit them to cars covered by snow.
Do not drive faster than 40km per hour once chains have been fitted.
Chain fitting: The basics
Fit chains as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
Always test-fit chains before a trip.
Fit chains in fitting bays on level ground.
If chains fall off or loosen when a vehicle is in motion, stop and check your brake lines for damage before re-tensioning.
Once chains are fitted, keep your speed below 40km per hour.
Carry a torch, plastic garbage bag and gloves to make fitting easier.
Use correctly fitted chains.
Tyres must be in good condition with minimal wear.
The use of diamond pattern chains is recommended.
After removing chains, your vehicle's handling may feel different. Take time to readjust your driving and take care!
Even if chains were not required to enter the area it is advisable to fit them when parking. It is much easier than trying to fit them later for the return trip if weather conditions change or the vehicle is snowbound.
Fuel
Before you drive up the mountain, ensure that your fuel tank is topped up as you may experience lengthy delays in bad weather when you need to keep your motor running.
If you drive a diesel powered vehicle, fill your fuel tank with alpine diesel mix from a service station close to the snowfields or fuel additive to prevent the fuel 'waxing'.
All diesel fuels contain wax, and if the cold causes enough wax to solidify in the fuel lines, filters and strainers, the blockage may make it difficult or impossible to start and operate your vehicle.
Duel fuel vehicles should switch to (LPG/petrol) before entering alpine areas