Snow driving

Post by **badfelafel** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:17 pm

Drove back last night from up north (in Scotland) and then the snow started. We got to a big hill (a very long, quite steep one) at the Rest and Be Thankful - the snow was quite heavy at this point. There was a huge queue and nothing coming down (the police had closed the other end).

We sat for a while, being amazed at some people's attempts to drive in the snow. To pull out: wheels hard to the side, then floor it. Result... off the road. I think people were watching the idiots and being scared to try. Its amazing how a delicate foot in a normal car can get past a 4x4 in the snow!

We decided to pass everyone up the hill in our Scenic (not in the Minor). Decided there were 3 types of people stuck:
1) Not trying
2) Car couldnt manage (lots of rear wheel drive cars going nowhere!)
3) Driver couldnt manage.

We zigzagged up the hill round all the waiting cars (and there were LOTS) - a few people in front of us, and a few behind, trying too.

By the top, there were 2 cars behind us. We drove on and stopped for dinner and to change the baby. No more cars got through (they had to spend the night in the middle of nowhere in their cars)

We filmed some of it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqYzqBXAGiA

Lol didnt mention the very steep hillside down to the right!

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:29 pm

lol

Yes well we just don't see snow here so people don't know what to do

The year I passed my test was heavy snow and it amazed me that as a novice driver then I was doing so much better then most. All down to using the clutch only, almost never touch the accelerator or breaks, perhaps if people had played around with boats they might get a better feeling for it (all thrust vectors and inertia)

Post by **badfelafel** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:40 pm

Boats - never thought of comparing that with snow driving - very interesting

Post by **MoggyTech** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:59 pm

I love driving in the snow. Used to live close to the Trossachs and winters were severe. The art to driving in snow, proper light footwear that let's you feel the pedals, know your own limits and the cars limits. Keep the revs down and stay off the brakes as much as possible. As for the average driver on snow, well it's a good laugh if your out of harms way.

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:08 pm

Good one. Loved your wife's snarky comments about the other drivers and their fancy cars.

Had some fun driving around Iceland a few years back in a LWB Toyota RAV4 with regular summer tyres.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:33 pm

to change the baby

Can I ask what for?

Post by **Peetee** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:51 pm

I love driving in the snow

We had a few inches of snow in Kent 10 years ago. It fell overnight (boxing day IIRC) and come morning all the roads were hardpacked slippery snow. It was hilarous watching people trying to drive in it - some shouldn't have bothered, they only lived a 15 min walk from work.
When we had to venture out (to get my wife to hospital) we narrowly avoided a 4 car pile up when I happened to notice 3 vehicles approaching from around the bend and realised they were going too quick for the junction between us. All 3 ended up in a field

4 wheel drives can have an advantage in the snow but your driving style has to be impeccable.