Baby on Board: Winter Driving
In a previous life, I used to commute 500 kilometers to a remote gold mine along the north shore of Lake Superior… in single-lane traffic… in a Honda Fit! Over those four year, I gained valuable highway winter-driving skills that I continue to use to this day - Especially since I now have some very precious cargo in the backseat! The only difference is that I am en route to go winter hiking or skiing instead of heading to work. WAY. MORE FUN!
Since being pregnant (therefore, tired!) and working from home, I have to admit that I’ve lost a little bit of my driving nerve. My husband, Jan, naturally took on the driver’s role whenever we were heading out the door. Once Sara arrived, however, it was me who was taking her out on adventures with the rest of the mamas. That’s when I first noticed how subtly I had become anxious behind the steering wheel, even after all those years commuting on northern highways. I knew I had to overcome this fear if I wanted to seize opportunities outdoors, which leads me to the following story:
In February 2021, Chesa, Yoli, Kelsea and I decided to take the babies for an ice-skate at Lake Louise. Jan was off work, so I told him to tag along!
The mamas and babies skating on Lake Louise.
There was another mama who was invited to join, but she was feeling unsure about the weather. The forecast was a little wishy-washy after all. She decided to stick to her gut and pull the plug. It’s such a cliche, but as mothers we have an innate sense which I think is always best to hold on to.
The rest of us decided we would go. The drive there was pretty mellow: overcast, but nothing to be concerned about. Once at Lake Louise, we had a lovely time skating around and I was happy I had decided to join. When we were all packed up to go, I told Jan that I would drive us home. Well, were we ever in for a treat!
Once on Highway 1 - about 20 minutes into our drive - the conditions turned for the worst. Suddenly, we were in complete white-out conditions, with snow and ice starting to accumulate and cover the road. I gripped the steering wheel and carried on. To add to the chaos: It was about 4:00 p.m., and the crowds were flocking from Lake Louise and Sunshine Village ski resorts, and piling up on the highway. I could feel myself getting nervous, but I quickly briefed myself on what I needed to do:
Give lots of space.
I am a true believer in driving defensively. Give the vehicle in front of you lots of room, in case you need to brake. It gives you a greater margin of error!
Turn off cruise control.
Cruise control can be very dangerous on slippery roads. If you lose traction on a slippery road, and start to spin, the cruise control can continue to accelerate. If your foot is already on the accelerator and you can feel the wheels slip, then you will react accordingly.
Put your lights on.
So often, drivers don't have their lights on in white-out conditions! It’s important to keep in mind that your lights aren’t only for you, but for the driver behind you as it helps them see when the visibility is poor.
Drive below the speed limit.
The speed limit posted is for when driving conditions are good. When conditions are poor, you need to reduce your speed accordingly to help maintain control in icy/snowy weather! Just don’t go too slow because that can also be dangerous for other drivers coming up behind you.
Stay in the right lane & minimize passing.
I have experienced numerous drivers passing me in poor conditions, only to later see them in a ditch. Don’t rush!
Driving is one thing, but planning ahead is another! When it comes to planning:
Check the weather conditions.
This one is pretty self-explanatory! If you don’t feel comfortable with the weather conditions, simply cancel. If you do, give yourself lots of extra time and don’t hesitate to turn around if you change your mind.
Get winter tires.
My rule of thumb is: Have winter tires on vehicles from October 1st to April 30th. We’ve all seen way too many snow storms happen between those dates.
Keep your gas tank full & window washer fluid topped off.
The amount of times I have got my younger self into trouble on slushy March days without window washer fluid is more than I’d like to admit. It’s so incredibly dangerous when you can’t see out your window. I’ll have to remember this for when Sara is a teen!
Have a vehicle emergency kit.
P.S. I even have chocolate in mine! Check out this blog post for a complete packing list.
Have a phone charger in your vehicle.
My phone frequently dies when it’s cold out on the trails, so I usually have it plugged into the USB port on the way home. A charged phone comes in handy in case you need help!
Well, I hope these tips help you make better decisions and feel more comfortable when you’re driving yourself and your family around this winter. If I missed anything important or if you have a tip worth sharing, please let us know. We could all use a little help when it comes to driving in the mountains!