Wondering why there’s no snow to ski on? It’s because the Southern Hemisphere ski season is just starting! Coach Alan is driving up the mountain every day, mastering lightning-fast snow chain installation and chasing the best powder. Roads can freeze and cause tires to slip, so no matter if you rent a 2WD or 4WD vehicle in New Zealand, always rent snow chains for your own safety—it’s not the place to save a few bucks!

But do you need snow chains for driving in Japan?
The answer is: No! In Hokkaido, most cars are 4WD and snow tires are standard equipment. Roads are regularly cleared of snow, so there’s no need to add snow chains. We recommend renting a four-wheel-drive (4WD) car, ideally with a GPS navigation system for the safest winter driving experience.

Actually, if you’re skiing in New Zealand and don’t want to put on snow chains, you can park at the base and take a shuttle bus up the mountain. But for other mountain roads that may be icy, it’s always safest to keep snow chains in your car—just in case! Driving in snow is never easy and always comes with risks. If you’re not well prepared, it’s better to use public transportation.

One last reminder: The official recommendation is to keep your speed below 25 kph when using snow chains. If you go too fast, the chains can loosen and get tangled in your wheel axle—big trouble! Installing snow chains is a must-have winter survival skill in snow countries. Check out this official Cardrona guide on how to install snow chains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeH0rx3yDGw

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