I have lived in warm environments my entire life with some shorts stays in cold weather cities.

It's been a long time since I've lived in a cold weather environment. However, I may have to move to one in 2018.

What advice do you have for me? How to dress, how to drive, how to drive in snow, etc.?

Thanks.

 

Buy warm clothes.

Move.

Then learn how to dress warm.

I moved to Alaska without a clue. I learned pretty fast.

 

Wool, not cotton. Layers.

 

AWD or 4WD autos help a great deal in snow.

 

Spend the money on good gloves and good boots.

 

If it's an urban area, biggest issue is the vehicle... AWD/4WD, good tires, at least all season, carry a window scraper and brush.

Make sure you have the right oil, most modern cars use the same oil grade for all climates, but check. If it's too thick it won't start or will run horribly until it warms up.

Make sure anti freeze mix is correct, again most modern cars use a pre mix for all climates but check. Don't forget cold wx washer fluid. Avoid using your wipers if there is any snow, ice, or frost present.

If it's rural/ remote then survival could be an issue if you get stuck or break down. Carry a sleeping bag, tools, chains, shovel, MREs, water, snow boots etc. Make sure spare tire is full, those little ones lose their air more quickly than a full size. If it's really remote, maybe want a satphone or emergency beacon... some folks have learned that no bars = death.

 

A good PLB is only a couple of hundred bucks and change. I still fly light aircraft and keep one in my bag at all times. Well worth the money knowing that if I go down someone will know where I am in 90 minutes or less, assuming I am physically capable of deploying it after the landing:



https://www.acrartex.com/products/ca...cator-beacons/

 

This^^ cotton kills if you get wet, which you will in cold & snow.
Polyester fleece is also good as it doesn't hold water.

Keep a warm set of clothes, gloves, hat, boots and a shovel in your car should you slide into the ditch some night.