Driving Tips

Before you leave for the snow

Check your car battery is in good condition (at around 0°c, battery output is about 65% of normal).
Check all lights are working.
Ensure a good antifreeze has been added to the radiator.
Check that air-conditioning (if fitted) is functional.
Ensure that tyres are at the correct air pressure.
Check that your roof rack is well secured.
Ensure if your vehicle uses Diesel that Alpine mix is used. Sometimes only available in towns located near snow fields.
Some 4WD vehicles are required by their respective manufacturers to fit chains to all 4 wheels, consult the vehicle's owner's manual for further details.

Driving in snow and ice

Always fit chains in bays where you see the "FIT CHAINS HERE" sign. You can be fined at all resorts for not fitting chains as directed.
IMPORTANT: Always make sure you fit the chains to the driving wheels of the vehicle.
Do not travel faster than 40 km/h to ensure snow chains do not rub against inside of wheel arches.
If you traveling downhill, always give way to oncoming traffic. It is very hard to restart a vehicle uphill if it has been forced to stop.
Should the chain be hitting the vehicle at all, immediately pull over onto the side of the road; locate the loose end and secure it with something e.g. Wire, a shoelace, string or a cable tie. Remove the chains completely if the problem persists, before damage occurs.
Turn headlights on to low beam in poor visibility conditions.
Drive cautiously with gradual pressure on accelerator to avoid wheel spin. Spinning wheels will break the chains.

At the resort

If you made it to the resort without having to fit chains on, always fit them in preparation for the return journey.
Park only where directed. You risk being hit by a snow plough during snow clearing operations if you are parked in an incorrect area.
When parking, leave your car in gear with your handbrake off. The handbrake can freeze onto your disc or drum.
Cover the radiator with a rug to prevent it from freezing.
Lift windscreen wipers from windshield or place wiper in a plastic bag to prevent them from sticking to the glass.
Cover door locks with masking tape to prevent locks from freezing.
When leaving the resort, remember to clear your roof of snow - failure to do so is an offence!