Traveling to Christchurch in Winter?

Driving safely on icy roads

Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

Keep your lights and windshield clean.

Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

Take your foot off the accelerator.

Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Snowy Roads

Snow on a road may be hard-packed and slippery as ice. It can also be rutted and full of hard tracks and gullies. Or it can be smooth and soft. Wet snow can make for slushy roads. Heavy slush can build up in the wheel wells of your vehicle and can affect your ability to steer. Remember, look far ahead as you drive, so you can recognize hazards and have plenty of time to respond. Adjust your driving to the road and weather conditions. Slow down and avoid sudden turns of the steering wheel, and sudden braking and accelerating, which could cause a skid. Extra caution should be exercised when driving in these road conditions.

Ice

Be careful when approaching shaded areas, bridges, and overpasses, as these sections of road freeze much sooner in cold weather and stay frozen long after the sun has risen. Watch out for frost, areas of the road that appear black and shiny, as they can cause your vehicle to suddenly lose traction. Slow down, keep your foot off the brake, and be ready to shift to neutral or step on the clutch as your vehicle crosses these areas.

Recommended items include:

Ice scraper/snowbrush

Shovel

Sand or other traction aid

Tow rope or chain

Booster cables

Road flares or warning lights

Gas line antifreeze

Flashlight and batteries

First aid kit

Fire extinguisher

Small tool kit

Extra clothing and footwear

Blanket

Non-perishable energy foods – e.g., chocolate or granola bars, juice, soup, bottled water

Candle and a small tin can

Matches

The only issues for driving in the South Island will be the passes eg Lindis Pass, Arthur's Pass, Lewis Pass, Haast Pass and Porter's Pass and maybe issues with roads over to Milford Sound (eg Homer Tunnel). You should not have any issues with roads in the north of the South Island with snow.

There are services you can ring (Transit New Zealand) which tell you which roads are open and if you need to carry chains. There maybe some icy conditions in some places, but there are signs telling you the areas and they will often grit them. They will be shaded parts of the road. Sometimes they have little flashing signs to tell you on the worst bits.

I have lived in the South Island for practically my whole life and have never had issues with ice, but I live in the north of the South Island.

There may be a late winter storm that might give a dumping of snow on the high passes down south, but for the most part the roads will be good to drive (roads have rough tarseal so the ice is a bit harder to form). I would have fingers crossed and hope you get stunning weather, which is quite common actually (frosty mornings and fine sunny afternoons)

you will get some spectacular jackets in nz based what you elect Ski jackets are prevalent for vacationing with and you may pay 2 or 3 hundred money for a reliable one. much extra for a mountain one in case you in basic terms desire a jacket for the time you're in NZ holidaying then flow to a keep inclusive of Farmers for a sort of jackets at distinctive costs you ought to p.c.. one up for extra or less $eighty while you're fortunate. or you may desire a lighter jacket say a rain coat and a few thermal underclothes

There is one thing I want to add to ‡Bay Of Plenty‡ aswer.

Take snow chains when you are renting car and ask them to show you how to use these chains in case you'll need it.

this is just asking for an accident; you're from Singapore and you'll find conditions totally different, not just because it is cold but because of completely different roads.Take the bus.

My advice... dont do that.