Canada’s scenic wilderness offers some the most perfect off-roading opportunities anywhere on the planet. Of course, this scenery tends to be covered in ice and snow much of the year. Embracing the Canadian wilderness requires the right kind of off-roader, and also the right set of driving skills for ice and snow. Here are a few tips to get you started.
You need to understand the snow that you’re driving on
Different kinds of snow and ice behave in distinct ways. You can have soft and powdery snow that does offer some traction, crusty snow that comes from unstable temperature levels that can be slippery, ice under deep powdery snow, muddy snow and wet snow. You need to know what to do with each one of these icy surfaces.
Successful off-roading on such surfaces isn’t just about finding a powerful and massive auto like a Dodge Ram 1500; you need the right tires, as well. Do your research, and find the right off-roading snow tires with aggressive ice tread and reinforced sidewalls. You’ll need to drive with low levels of inflation; tires spread out for better grip.
Don’t venture forth without the right equipment
Extreme cold weather can quickly reduce the output of your car’s battery. Not only should you get a high-output model specifically built for cold weather, you should consider upgrading to a dual-battery system, as well. Other kinds of snow equipment tend to be critical — a window brush, an ice scraper, a ham radio set, a snow shovel, an air jack and tire chains are basic.
Try not to venture completely off the beaten track
Snow covers over all kinds of terrain problems — rocks, pits, fallen trees and so on. Unless a path seems well-traveled, you don’t want to venture forth all by yourself. If you do end up in trouble, you do at least want people around to help you out.
Travel with a group of off-roaders
If you’re driving through fresh powder snow, you need to know that it has a tendency to completely pack the underside of cars. It can greatly add to the weight of a car, slow it down and stress the engine. It’s usually a good idea to travel as a group of two or three cars, and have each car take turns leading the group.
Understand how vehicles behave in snow
No matter how much a grip your tires give you, vehicles simply acted differently in snow. Braking can be harder, as can be steering with any degree of predictability. It’s a common misconception that vehicles with 4-wheel drive ability brake better than ones with 2-wheel drive. In reality, 4-wheel-drive only offers better traction when you’re trying to drive — not when you’re trying to stop. No matter what you’re driving, it’s important to take the terrain gently.
Learn how to use off-roader technology
Modern off-roaders come packed with technologies that help drivers negotiate the unpredictable terrain found away from pavement. From active traction control to locked differential tech and hill-assist technology, there’s a great deal of special ability available today. These don’t simply work by themselves, though. They take some user knowledge. The better you understand the technology built into your car, the safer you will be.
Mary Byrne has worked in the travel industry for 20 years, most recently moving into the niche of outdoor adventure which she thoroughly enjoys participating in as well as planning. Her informative articles appear mostly on travel blogs.
1 comment
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