Drive slowly on snow. 90% of driving works just fine so long as you go slow. And that doesn’t mean 35 in a 40 zone. That means 10 in a 40 zone.

Drive super fucking slow on snow, and you’ll be fine.

People who come from warmer climates to snow always fuck this up, and it’s so simple. I think there’s a pride thing involved. So just get over your “I can do this” pride, and drive ultra slow.

At least at first. You can speed up a little once you get a sense of what makes the car slide, but to start with just go ultra ultra slow.

Special care has to be taken in whatever house you live in to protect your plumbing from freezing. Generally most places in snow zones will be built with freeze protection in mind so you won't need to do too much. But exposed faucets (even frost free types) can freeze and burst back inside your walls, as can any other exposed pipe, or even those not exposed if your house loses it's source of heat. A burst pipe floods everything and will ruin your house.

• Cover any exposed faucets with a foam cover (any hardware store will have them)
• Never let the inside of your house drop below 55F/12C; that internal heat seeps into the walls and floor and is what keeps your plumbing working.
• Check if the house has a crawlspace that requires additional heating to prevent freezing, and make sure any pipes in said crawlspace are fully insulated with foam tape and ideally have "pipe tape" or cable heaters under the insulation and plugged in.
• If you're in an area that relies on ground water wells rather than a city supply, you may also have a pump house outbuilding that requires heating.
• A chicken brooder lamp like this with a 100w incandescent lightbulb or 250w infrared heat lamp (depending on level of insulation and outside temperatures) in it is the best way to safely heat these small spaces with minimal fire risk.

Additional prep should be taken to make sure you can maintain house heat even if the power goes out for an extended period of time due to snowfall taking out trees onto power lines. Should have some form of non electric heat that can be used indoors safely, e.g a wood stove, or have a generator with at least 24hr of reserve fuel that can run your furnace for a few hours at a time (assuming propane or oil furnace, and not a heat pump or electric resistive furnace).

If you have gas motor equipment in your garage (mower, snowplow, leafblower, boat), you should try to winterize it with specific stabilizers, otherwise you will have a hard time starting it in the spring.

Wear layers, layers, layers and a proper winter jacket on top. Winter mittens or gloves, a hat, scarf, neck warmer, balaclava or face covering, ear muffs, snow pants, could all be stuff you need depending on how far north you go and how thick the snow piles up. Almost universally in cold climates you will need proper boots.

Similar to Humidex, there's a value called wind chill, because the layer of heat you radiate gets blown away making you feel colder. Pay attention to that, and remember that hands and ears left exposed will get frostbite after some time. You can find charts online (Celsius and Fahrenheit).

Watch for black ice on roads and sidewalks, it looks just "wet" but it is very slippery ice. Use road salt or other de-icing compounds on your walkways and driveways so that you and others don't slide around or fall.

A bunch of driving stuff:

Do NOT go posted speed on roads that aren't fully cleared. In reduced visibility conditions like blizzards you might have to go half the usual freeway speed or less, with flashers on and follow the car in front. It's best to avoid driving in snowstorms.

Winter tires may be required in some areas, but they are strongly recommended even if not. Leave a safety kit and brush in the car, because in remote areas it may be an entire day before a tow can even get to you. Have blankets in the car in winter.

Test recovery out of a slide in a safe place so you know what to do in a pinch. You don't have to go too fast, just somewhere that doesn't get cleared well with no obstacles to crash into like a rarely cleared parking lot. Two modes are: brake fail going straight (with my old car you needed to be light but steady on the brakes for best effectiveness), and a turn going wider than you expected. The car will not respond to sudden maneuvers like you would expect on a clear surface.

Cross-country skiing is fun! I think so, anyway. Take it easy, don't expect to be super good at it right away, et cetera, but maybe try out whichever winter sports appeal to you. What everyone else said, but also don't forget to go outside and enjoy yourself sometimes.

Stopping takes longer. Drive slower; leave more space to stop.

You'd think it's common sense, but a huge number of the accidents in winter are because people drive like idiots.

Everyone else has covered the important stuff, so I'll just recommend that, especially if you have kids, you identify the local sledding hill and get a sled, snow pants, warm coat, snow boots, gloves and hat. If you've gotta live in it, make sure you enjoy it when it comes!

Norwegian here, and there are some common mistakes I see in people not used to the climate.

• When walking on ice, at least the very slippery kind, use short steps. It reduces the chance of slipping.
• And if you do slip and begin to fall, take it like a champ and sit down gracefully. The most comedic sights are the ones flailing to try and stay uptight.
• Buy a snow shovel.
• There are many expensive things sold as ice and snow thawers, but these are usually just variations of salt and gravel. Whatever salt you can buy in bulk at the grocery store works just fine. And any sand/gravel that you can find in the summer will do.
• When shoveling snow, clear a wider path than what you think you'll need. A narrow strip is hard to keep clear after a while of heavy snowfall.
• If you have a car, make sure to have proper winter tires. If you do, you won't have to bother with snow chains.
• Car batteries don't like the cold. Make sure yours can hold charge well. Overdoing it with AmpHours is also a bonus.
• Get a scraper to remove ice from your windshield.
• Wet feet become cold feet. Stay dry. Wool socks are amazing at keeping your feet both warm and dry.

Don’t use anything but a snow scraper to clear windows. Credit cards and anything else will scratch your shit up.

Your car will rust at a surprising rate.

All season tires are barely adequate. If you have room get a set of winter tires/wheels.

Remote start is a godsend.

Cycling through fresh snow is fine, it’s the snow that has been driven over and compacted that’s really slippery.

When you ride over the slippery icy stuff, don’t brake hard, don’t make any sudden turns. Better to just stop pedaling and let your bike roll. Watch out for hard frozen ridges of snow.

Usually the cycle paths are salted early, it’s the part from the busy cycle paths to your front door and the last bit to your destination where you have to watch out.

Snow dampens sound so be careful around cars, you might not hear them coming. If you wear a coat with a hood it might be more difficult and annoying turn your head, resist urge to not look when crossing roads.

It's ok to eat a bit more nutritious food when it's cold - your natural body heating costs energy.

Cover your head when outside, your head loses an unreasonable amount of heat.

If your bed's too cold in the evening, buy a heating pad - a warm bed feels awsome.

If your hands get painfully cold, more excruciating pain may be waiting for you when they start to heat back up. To avoid the additional pain, put your hands under cold tap water first - I promise it's going to feel warm. Then increase the heat slowly until your hands are warm again.

Clothing

• Make sure to have a good winter coat, neck gaiter, hat, gloves and boots. Staying warm and dry is important.
• Hand warmers can be handy if you expect to be outside for a while. There are several variants (chemical, reusable, rechargeable)

Driving

• Winter tires. It may seems like an extra expense, but it will make your summer/all-season tires lasts longer. In some provinces, they are mandatory for residents (ex: Quebec)
• Make sure to clear the snow from the car, INCLUDING the roof (aka don't leave a snowhawk). Keep that snow brush in the trunk.
• Make sure to keep your windshield washer fuild filled.
• Have a small snow shovel just in case you get stuck in snow.
• Keep one of those metallic safety blanket, and those emergency candle in case you get in an emergency.
• A car battery booster might come in handy. A drained battery isn't fun.
• Drice defensively, it's easier to lose control of the vehicle.

Homeowner

• A good shovel to clear out the driveway isn't a luxury
• Some sand in a bucket with a lid, to put over ice patches when it gets slippery. You don't need to put a lot, just enough to not fall.
• Be sure to keep the temperature above 18°C. If the temp inside the building drops too low, ice can form in water pipes, and you can imagine the mess it can make when a pipe bursts.

Drive your car like it doesn't have brakes. Treat it like a boat.

When you get parked, knock the snow and ice out of the wheel wells before you start driving again.

I moved to a snow city for the first time well into adulthood.

The big thing I have for you is that walking on snow is awesome for like two hours and then it's constantly threatening to kill you. Slippery sludge or ice is the worst feeling in the universe and all the locals will just strut right over it like it's nothing while you're fighting for your life.

Just buy good shoes and plant your feet vertically, no sliding motions.

Depending where you are moving to, snow may not be the only sort of inclement winter weather you may have to deal with. For instance, ice may build up on trees, power lines, and/or roads.

If on roads, don't drive unless you absolutely have to, and if you do, be way more careful than you think you need to be. Look up safety tips for driving in icy conditions before you have to put them into practice.

If you have any trees that might fall on anything of value, kindof watch their condition. If any are splitting down the middle, hire someone to treat them before the winter season to avoid major problems like this.

Or it's possible you'll live somewhere ice buildup is unlikely to be an issue. Maybe look into the history of the area or talk to someone who has been there a long time to find out what conditions might be an issue.

Also, the ability to work remotely is kinda nice, I guess. It's a double-edged sword, though. If you can work remotely, you never get days off due to weather. But if you can't, you may be pressured to drive into the office when it's very dangerous.

I've lived with the snow all my life, but I can probably still offer some tips that people get caught on.

Snow removal is a bastard. Snow's often heavier than it looks, especially when it's wet. If you're doing it yourself, make sure to stretch and not to attempt it if you have a heart condition. The low temperature makes the exertion more difficult on your heart, lungs, and muscles. It's a fantastic way to stay in shape, but I often pull something in my back with the first major snowfall.

Winter driving bears some special consideration. Your car might need more time to warm up before it's good to drive, and freezes will kill low batteries. Traction is poor, and even with a light layer of snow it can be very difficult to drive uphill. You often need a running start, and around here sometimes you just can't make it to the top. Be prepared by knowing alternate routes, and by keeping an eye out for other drivers that might start rolling back towards you.

People often get stuck in the snow, so it's important to be prepared. There's two types of roadside emergency kits that you should be prepared to use. One is for attempting to get your car out of the snow, and the other is for survival if you can't get unstuck. People more qualified than I could tell you what should be in them, but warm clothing and blankets are a must. If you have enough fuel, you might think that you could run the car all night to keep warm. But be warned that might not always be an option, and if the snow is piling up it can cause your exhaust to back up and asphyxiate you.

Walking in snow requires a higher level of exertion. It's harder on your muscles, and stabilizing on packed snow might cause you to use some unfamiliar muscle groups. Again, it's a great way to stay in shape, but if you're not prepared for it you can quickly have a bad time. If the snow is particularly deep, you might be interested in snowshoeing or skiing. These are easier than clomping through the snow, but again, they'll be unfamiliar muscle groups and require some practice.

I would do some research to see what level of snow removal your destination city does. Some places are super accessible, some plow only roads and leave sidewalks buried, and some places you're snowbound for months at a time. I personally find it quite cozy to be snowed in, but it can become a serious problem if you're not prepared for it.

This one's probably subjective, but I find it important to keep separate Winter and Autumn outerwear. We're at the time of year now where we're starting to see some freezing temperatures, but it's nowhere near what it'll be in a couple months' time. If you're coming from a hot climate, you might be tempted to put on your warmest clothes as soon as it's colder than you've been in your life. But then when it gets even colder than that, you'll be happy to have something warmer to add to it.

Find something fun to do in the snow. If you've never seen snow in person before, I understand it's often a magical feeling. But once you live with it for a long time, the magic can fade, and the inconveniences can mount. Having something to look forward to with the snow sometimes makes all the difference between Winter Wonderland and Frozen Hellscape. Whether that's tobogganing, skating, or snowball fights, you've got to do something to keep up the morale in the winter months.

All season tires aren't for all seasons, get real snow tires. They work better in the cold in general even if its not snowing out. 4 wheel drive doesn't matter once you're moving.

Depends how much it snows and how cold it gets. Much of this may sound over-cautious if your winters are mild.

• Most cities/towns have by-laws regulating property owners clear and rock-salt their walkways within a set amount of time after snow has ceased falling,

• If you use a shovel, get an ergonomic one. It is very easy to hurt your back clearing snow. No matter how long you wait, the plow always comes AFTER you've cleared your driveway,

• If you have kids, get into the routine of checking local news for 'snow days', or in other words the schools have announced they are closed due to poor road conditions,

• Keep an eye on your (and I guess your neighbours if you want to be helpful) house' roof and make sure the snow doesn't build up too much as this can cause damage/leaks/collapses if it gets too heavy

This is mostly if doing outdoor outings.

Dress in layers. If you find it cold, you can always add multiple pairs of gloves, socks, and scarves and take them off as you get hot. There are balaclava type things and long John's available as well.

They sell little hot pockets you can activate and they stay warm for 2-3 hours or so, you can keep them in your gloves and boots. There are self heating gloves as well with batteries.

Keeping a thermos with a hot beverage helps as well.

Don't get wet, this includes sweating a lot.

I live at 2000m altitude

I had a problem with skin on the tops of my knees drying out and flaking, it was quite painful

Turned out it was the antiperspirant I was using on my armpits got on my knees when I bent over to put my socks on and dried out the skin 😂

If your state salts the roads in the winter, it's strongly recommended to undercoat your vehicle with a coating to preserve it from rusting and shortening its useful life. Fluid Film is one of the better coatings, and is based on sheep lanolin, so it's not toxic to the environment.

4wheel drive is nice, but tires are EVERYTHING. You absolutely cannot rely on all season tires, you MUST get proper Winter tires if your region snows heavily, or you will have a bad time.

There are now fabric snow 'socks' for cars that act like snow chains to get you out if a bind, which would be worth having in the trunk.

In the winter, ALWAYS bring winter rated clothing in the car along with water, a small amount of food, heavy duty blanket, and a small liquid paraffin candle for heat in the event you get stuck in a storm, or go off the road from ice.

Get a scraper/brush and keep it in your car.

Use it before you start driving. Don't just clear a "porthole" to see out of. Clear the snow off the roof too. If you don't it'll fly off and hit the guy behind you or it'll slide down over your windshield.

If you don't have your scraper, a credit card will work in a pinch for the windshield.

Don't pour hot water over your windshield to melt ice. At best it just doesn't work, at worst you'll crack the windshield

If you're new to driving on icy/snowy roads, get a sense for how/when your car will break traction. Find an empty parking lot, accelerate a bit and then brake increasingly harder until you start to slide. This will give you a feel for the conditions under which you'll lose traction to brake. This is also a good way to learn how to recover from a slide.

If it snows much at all, get some waterproof boots that either have insulation or plenty of room for socks. Get ones either intended for snow or look similar to ones that are, as soles of boots have different traction in snow than dirt just like tires. They don't need to be marshmallow looking snow boots, just purpose made winter boots.

Snow pants and a good winter coat is good for keeping dry while shoveling snow. Dress in layers, so that you can remove one or two if you start to get warm. If exerting yourself avoid sweating by going a little lighter than you would when stationary or walking as sweat will.make you a lot colder. If you can find and handle wool it is absolutely amazing at keeping you dry, even if it gets wet, and it is a lot better at leeping you a constant temp through a wide variety of temps.

Where I live we get strong winds, and even down to 0F with wind I generally wear a long sleeve wool shirt, light jacket as a windbreak, snow pants, and some insulated work boots made for snow. Plus gloves and a hat of course, which are the two things that tend to get sweaty!

Invest in electric heaters.

If you already had a place picked that's in the north, make sure you settle in as early as a month or two before it's winter season starts.

Do not ever neglect snow tires. If you're tight on money, getting even 2 sets of tires for wintry conditions is better than none. But 4 is still recommended and no, All-Seasons are terrible for winters regardless of brand. They just aren't designed for winter conditions, they're designed mostly for Spring/Summer/Fall.

Buy winter emergency sets for your vehicle. Buy one for the glove compartment, the ones where they actually have emergency power banks in them. Buy another for general use, especially ones equipped with a piece together shovel.

Use HEET only in 30 below temperatures.

There's more to know if you plan to drive a car.

Four-wheel drive helps to accelerate in icy conditions, it does not help braking.

Make slow, careful changes when it's snowy or icy. Slow down more than you normally would to take a turn. Give yourself triple the distance to slow to a stop. Don't turn hard.

Use windshield wiper fluid appropriate for freezing temperatures.

Put any rage or impatience aside and get to where you're going safely.

If you live in a place that clears the streets and you don't have to go anywhere, consider staying put. Wait a couple hours until the streets are cleared.

If you'll be driving somewhere more remote, have clothes and boots appropriate for the weather in case your car breaks down or gets stuck and you have to walk. I also keep a jug of water, flashlight, and blanket/sleeping bag in my trunk during winter for this reason.

Keep one of those brush/scraper things in your car.

Clean the snow off your car before driving.

CLEAN THE SNOW OFF YOUR CAR BEFORE DRIVING

All of it

If it is going to be a lot of snow, don’t wait until it is over before you start digging out.

Salt/pet friendly ice melt for your walkways

Have a snow blower? Don’t wait until the day before to see if it still runs. Make sure you have gas for it

Slow drip on a faucet to prevent pipes from bursting

• If you're the owner of the home, know what bylaws there are regarding snow removal near your home. Where I live you can get a fine + snow removal costs if you aren't reasonably prompt getting snow off the sidewalk.

• Snowy surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, roads) are often icy surfaces = slip and fall hazard. This is especially serious for older folks but it can hurt/injure at any age. This gets worse if it snows then melts then refreezes. Don't run if you don't have to. Sand/grit on these surfaces can help, and in my area you can get sand for free at certain town facilities.

• Frostbite on exposed skin is a genuine hazard. Look up the weather forecast when it's cold and take time-to-frostbite warnings seriously.