Comment Share Posted on Monday April 19th at 1:55 p.m.

Cheap ski passes have gone the way of the Moa and second hand ski swaps and snow shows are rapidly approaching. It's time to dust the gear off.

Skis or boards, boots and poles (if your a 2 planker).  Hat/helmet, goggles gloves. Polypro/merino, inner layer, outer layer, shell. Skiing and boarding are equipment intensive sports.

Coffin Boxes and Chain Accessories

Ski Boxes

Ski and board racks were designed when petrol was about 30c a litre.  They drag like a dead dog on a lead.  Ski boxes are way more aerodynamic and keep the dust and bugs out of your bindings.  (Plus you won't get stick for having your tips facing forwards.) 

Now that you've saved $10 in fuel costs per trip to the mountains you can afford one, they pay them selves off in no time.  There are a number of cheaper models out there now if you can't afford the name brands, also check out Trademe as well, there are plenty listed.

Snow Chains

Due to the distances from the urban areas and accommodation to the ski & board areas snow tires are seldom used in New Zealand.

It is essential to carry and, when required, fit snow chains to your car on mountain roads in NZ during winter.  Many ski areas rent and fit them for you although some do not. Rainbow does not and has a policy, NO CHAINS NO ACCESS.  So beware.  Chains means Chains.  Enough of the lecture.

There is no definitive rule in the road code about speed limits with snow chains other than what is specified on the road and driving to the conditions.  Most manufacturers state that chains should be driven at less than 40km/hr (which is also the general speed limit on mountain access roads) but sadly from experience people seldom stick to this.

There are many different types of chains;

• Link - generally more difficult to untangle and lay out.  Lay them on the road and then drive onto them and attach inside and outside at the top.  Usually have a bungy for tensioning.
• Single hoop - usually come in a box.  Loop around the back of the wheel and do up at the inside top, then attach the front and tension. Drive 10 metres and retension.
• Double hoop -usually come in a bag.  Loop around the back of the wheel and do up at the inside top, then attach the front two half loops top and bottom and tension.
• Hub systems - Not so common in NZ.   Have an attachment that you bolt onto your wheel using the wheel hub bolts and leave on permanently.  The wrap around chain then attaches easily to this hub attachment.

In this case the important info is; 235 = tyre width, 60 = tyre height as a % of its width & 18 = rim ∅

Snow chains aren't as nasty to put on and remove as they used to be but they need to fit well or they will break, fall off or damage your trip or paintwork. 

Guidelines for Fitting One Hoop Snow Chains

1. Make sure the vehicle is parked in a safe location with the handbrake on and in gear.
2. Take the chains out if their packaging or case and untangle all of the links so they are hanging free in a web shape.
3. Thread the seperated chain behind the wheel to which you wish to apply it so that both parts of the coupling sit either side of the tyre on the ground.
4. Simultaneously lift both parts of the chain coupling and connect them above the hub assembly.
5. Once the rear section of the chain is complete drape the chains over the driving surface of the tyres so that each section is evenly spaced.
6. Connect the front of the chains together with the hook and claps fitting.
7. Tension the chains by the supplied rubber hook or tensioning device.  If done properly the chains should not dangle or sway.
8. Repeat for the other tyre, check chains are tight, drive slowly for apporximately 50 metres and recheck tension.

Try finding one similar to yours on YouTube or, (God forbid) read the instructions that came with them.

SCOTTY'S TIPS

Going up is easier, coming down harder.

You may have no problem getting up a mountain road without chains but try breaking on an icy hill coming down.  You won't stop.

When selling your car throw in the rack and chains to avoid them kicking around your garage for years.

You bought your roof racks and snow chains to specifically fit your car.  The second hand maket for these items is fraught with problems. Will you get something that fits? Can you try them on first? You can try on Trademe but make sure that you get the numbers right, don't expect to be able to return them.

Keep a pair of old gloves and an old jacket in the bag with your chains.

It's not putting them on that's dirty; it's taking them off in the mud and slush.

If renting a vehicle between May & October ask for chains.

Should be included in the price, they don't take up much room and you'll never know if you'll need them.

• RELATED GEAR ARTICLE - FOGGED GOGGLES, WHO SAID THAT?