It's always exciting as winter approaches to plan a skiing holiday.  As long as you have adequate car insurance in place you can start preparing your car for the journey and start mapping out the route you will take, the fields you will visit and the fun you will have hurtling down those slopes.

It is great to have this rosy image in your mind but at the same time it's also important to make sure that not only your car is well prepared, but that you as the driver are also prepared for the journey ahead.  Driving in snowfields can be hazardous, even dangerous, so it's important to make sure you know what you are doing if you plan to drive in snowy or icy conditions.

In the first place you need to have the right equipment, including chains for your tyres so that you are well prepared for the journey.  Equally important, some would say even more important, is your capacity to handle the slippery conditions.  Let's go over some of the things you should know before driving your vehicle into the snowfields.

• When driving on icy roads make sure you slow down and allow yourself plenty of room to stop.  A good rule of thumb is to allow two or three times more distance than you would use on your normal highway driving.  This will give you plenty of time to stop in the event of an unforeseen event.
• As you apply the brakes, avoid applying too much pressure.  Instead, be gentle as you brake and if you find your wheels locking up, ease off the brake and reapply gently as you gain traction.
• Always keep your lights on to maintain high visibility to other motorists.  It doesn't matter what time of day is, all your lights should be on.
• Make sure your windscreens and windows are completely clean so that your visibility is maximised at all times.  Also ensure that your mirrors, especially the side mirrors, are as clean as possible so you can stay alert to the vehicles behind you.
• When travelling up hills, make sure you engage low gear and travel slowly as you travel up the ascent.  Never use cruise control when driving on icy roads, rather you should maintain complete manual control of your vehicle at all times.
• Bridges can be hazardous at the best of times, but in icy or snowy conditions they can be even more dangerous.  Some of these roads and bridges can be less well travelled and this is a warning sign to every careful driver because snow and ice patches can easily accumulate causing even more slippery conditions.  For this reason you should always be travelling in low gear at slow speed.  
• Stay clear of snowploughs or other maintenance vehicles because they have low visibility and rely upon other drivers to keep their distance.  If possible, come to a stop whilst the vehicles are working and only recommence once they are at a safe distance.

You know it makes sense to have a good car insurance policy and after you read the above tips you will know it is good sense to drive carefully in slippery or icy conditions.