What to wear?/how to drive? in Denver snow (Leadville: rental car, rental)

[kimmer]

OK, stop laughing everyone who's ever lived in snow. My So. Cal. family and I will be visiting Denver in late January, and I have a few naive questions. I understand the need to be warm (I do love cold weather), but are certain shoes or boots necessary? We'll be walking and driving a lot, and I really am clueless.
I've walked in snow only a few times, and it wasn't pretty, I'm kinda clumsy.

I've also never driven in snow or on icy streets before. I'd really really like to be a courteous tourist on the road. Any pointers for me?

You'll see me, I'll be the lone person in a rental car doing 50 on the freeway and getting honked at!

Thanks for any input.

Kim

[Nadine]

My motto is--never go anywhere in Colorado in any season without warm clothing and warm boots with good tread. I even carry and umbrella for sun. I have been camping in the mts in Aug and had ice on my water buckets in the morn. and yet be stripping down to a tee shirt by noon. Just be prepared for any weather. Yes, even if you never plan to get out of your car. Things can happen. Snow on roads? slow down, control with lower gear and do not stomp on the brakes. Ease on. Turn your tires into a skid, should you skid in rear, opposite if front wheel drive? Not real sure---someone? I don't drive front wheel drives. Mine are all manual 4 wheelers now and have been for many yrs.

You know it is hard to do this for me. I have lived here all my life and 8 yrs in Leadville when young. So I learned it when I learned to drive. Now Calif freeways scare me! Denver area is bad enough.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by kimmer

I've also never driven in snow or on icy streets before. I'd really really like to be a courteous tourist on the road. Any pointers for me?

The main thing is to be really cautious. Go slow. Signal your intentions, accelerate slowly, keep a very light touch on the brake. If you drive a stick, drive in a lower gear than you otherwise would. Put lots and lots of distance between you and the car in front of you. If you feel yourself slipping and sliding, straighten your wheels out and keep off your brake -- you will regain control.

If you come in late January, likely as not there will be no snow in Denver.

[Nadine]

Don't automatics all have a 2nd gear you can go into? I have 1 automatic 4x4 jeep. It has. I just assumed all automatic did now days. I do prefer a stick but --------- Wanted to add that the tires on the vehicle are very important. We use an all weather tire. I think I would ask when renting.

[MoMark]

I still can't drive well in snow myself and after the big ice/snowstorm here on Nov. 30th, we had snow cover for two weeks. I stayed home for five days because I was too afraid to brave the roads and the one time I did, I fishtailed and then I got stuck where my wheels just spun on the ice and I have new tires. But...I was dressed perfectly in layered clothes! You need a scarf, gloves, and shoes with a high enough cuff to keep snow out of your shoes.

[elfyum]

What's "fishtailed"? I would be scared sh*tless to drive in snow & ESPECIALLY ice!!! I lived in CO Springs for 6.5 years but never had a car. I rented one ONCE for a day or 2 but there was no snow at the time. (The car wouldn't start though...) - another thing to be aware of in cold climates...

[BlueWillowPlate]

Fishtailing is when the rear of your car does not follow the front. (Picture a fish wriggling in the water.) It can become a 180 or even a 360--we used to call them doughnuts. It can happen often with pickup trucks if you don't have any weight in the back.
Of course with a blizzard and huge amounts of snow, any driving at all is going to be problematic. You can very easily get stuck, especially in side streets.
But with a typical fresh snowfall of a couple inches, driving is okay. (Tfox's driving advice is excellent.)
It's when you have frozen slush or the dreaded *black ice* that it becomes dangerous. All weather tires can really be helpful.

[kimmer]

Wow, great advice from everyone, thanks so much. I feel much better about conquering the snow now. My husband just laughed and said he'd drive. He's from So. Cal., too, so it's anyone's guess how this is going to go! We may be using light rail more.
Nadine, I would *assume* that rental cars in a snow area would have all weather tires, no? Good idea to ask, though. Thanks everyone!