http://www.jimmys-adventures.net/hiking-grand-canyon-winter/
Safe winter driving for non-experienced winter drivers in Utah and Arizona?
My boyfriend and I are planning a winter trip in January from Texas up to canyon land to arches and around to the grand canyon. The only problem is either me or him know how to drive in snow. We live in Austin where it never snows. We are mainly looking to hike, no skiing or snowboarding. I was wondering if the roads are safe to drive or should we be looking else where for a winter trip?
January is probably the worst month of the year for snowstorms in Utah. However, since you’re staying in the sort of warmer parts of the state, you’ll probably be okay. Still, it helps to know a little about snow driving should the situation arise.
How to drive when it’s actually snowing: Drive slowly, at the speed of the other drivers or slower. Turn on your headlights (but not highbeams/brights, they actually make it harder to see). Drive in the tracks that other cars have made. If you can’t see very far in front of you, follow the lights of the car in front of you or focus on the outside yellow line of the road as your guide. If you start to fishtail–particularly common when you’re stopping or starting–pump the breaks, instead of slamming them, until you regain control.
Other tips for driving in snow: The roads tend to be more slippery after the snow stops than during the storm, so watch out for ice–especially black ice, which just looks like a shiny, wet spot. If you hit ice and it sends you into a spin, turn into the spin, not out of it. If you hit ice and it sends you off to one side, just try not to hit anything–sometimes steering into a small snow bank or off the side of the road is the best option. Again, pumping your brakes can be useful.
Get yourself an ice scraper, like this: http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-80022-Ice-Scraper-Snowbrush/dp/B0002JM9DU
The triangular part is used to scrape ice off the windshield and the brush clears the snow off your car. We do this pretty much every morning in Utah.
Other than that, snow driving isn’t that bad. Watch the weather reports and keep your plans flexible to avoid driving in major storms as much as possible.
hiking Grand Canyon south rim in winter near “The Abyss”