There’s nothing quite like a Colorado winter! From skiing and snowboarding to ice fishing and snowmobiling, outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to choose from. Adventure is only a drive away. Long-time residents of the Rockies know how quickly a peaceful snowfall can turn to blizzard or whiteout conditions. In these situations, it’s best to heed caution and make sure your vehicle is equipped for such emergencies. You never know when a sleeping bag or shovel could save a life. Are you prepared?
Here’s our list of essential items for the cold season:
- Portable Power Supply
You can get a decent one of these bad boys for well under $200 and it’s No. 1 on the list because POWER is everything. Jumpstart your car battery, or charge your phone and call for assistance. There’s plenty of research on this, so do your homework, read the reviews & choose a quality product that fits your lifestyle.
- No Spill Gas Can plus car essentials like Oil, Windshield fluid, Antifreeze
It’s a no brainer! It’s easy to forget to fill up your windshield fluid, but it could result in dangerous situations due to low or blurred visibility. Check your fluids regularly, and it’s best to have a little extra available for an easy fix.
- Jumper Cables
If for some reason your power supply fails, or you don’t have it with you, it’s always smart to keep a set of jumper cables handy, in case a nice passerby stops to help.
Photo by Clément M. on Unsplash
- Shovel
Everybody gets stuck at some point or another. It’s just a matter of time. But when that time comes, you’ll be thankful you packed the shovel. This simple tool can get you out of a lot of slippery situations.
- Escape Tool
This item is truly a lifesaver. In the event that you have to quickly cut through a seatbelt, or break the windows to escape a vehicle, you should always keep on of these within reach, like the middle console or glove compartment.
- First Aid Kit
It seems pretty obvious, but you might be surprised at the number of people who have no form of First Aid in their vehicle. Especially for those who enjoy camping and more remote activities, don’t get caught without it in the wild. There are plenty available for purchase with everything you need, or you can make it a fun project to prepare your own custom First Aid Kit.
- Sleeping Bag/Extra Winter Clothes
Maybe the shovel isn’t enough, or maybe your car battery is shot, whatever the reason, you may find yourself having to sleep in your automobile and wait out the storm until help comes. A good sleeping bag and a few extra layers will provide the warmth needed to make the best of a bad situation.
Photo by back slash on Unsplash
Photo by Martin Sattler on Unsplash
- Water/Snacks
Next time you’re at the convenient store, pick up a few extra bottles of water and some non-perishable goodies that can hold you over in times of crisis. We suggest trail mix, nuts, protein or granola bars, beef jerky, or crackers. Hide them in different places of your car and simply forget about them. They’ll be there when you need them.
- Flashlight
Don’t skimp on the flashlight. It’s important to have a high-quality product that won’t let you down in the dark. We also suggest storing an extra set of batteries alongside it. Better yet, a couple of backup headlamps could prove extremely useful.
- Lighter/Matches
Always, always, always keep a spare lighter and/or a pack of waterproof matches easily available. If you have to revert to survival mode and build a fire for heat and protection, you’ll be covered.
Of course, there are many more advantageous items out there, and we encourage everyone to educate themselves further about the importance of vehicle preparedness. But with these 10 essential items, you will be off to a great start. Happy recreating!