newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB WILLIAMS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

What better way to make your winter trips to the slopes safer and more comfortable than to carefully check your car.

Best strategy is to understand that good vehicle preparation and the right equipment go a long way toward successful winter driving. A quick review of the basics of winter car safety can help you respond faster and more appropriately in an emergency. Even better, a quick and correct response can help prevent the emergency from ever happening.

Before venturing out in winter weather — especially in poor winter weather — it pays to check your car first. Do what you can do now to help make driving conditions as safe as possible. Here, then, are a baker's dozen useful tips for care of your car before you go skiing:

1. Keep windows clean inside and out. Many of us stop in at the local service station and clean the windshield on the outside. But when's the last time you cleaned the inside? Dust and dirt build up on the inside, too. This coating on the inside of windows, particularly the windscreen, increases glare. And don't forget the mirrors.

2. While you're at it, clean the headlights. This will improve your view of the road and increase your visibility to other motorists

3. If your windshield is getting streaky, or the wipers are skipping places on the windshield, it may be time for new wiper blades. First, check for bits of leaves or pine needles under the windshield wiper. If nothing is visibly stuck, the streaks might simply be from worn out wiper blades. Replacing them is a relatively inexpensive maintenance move.

4. Check your tires. Many cars have all-weather tires on them at purchase. Check especially for tire wear. A tire with poor tread will not grip the road as well as a less-traveled tire. In addition, tires with deep tread resist hydroplaning. When a car hydroplanes, the tires ride on top of the puddle or road surface water. The car becomes impossible to control. The best prevention for this is to drive slower in bad weather. Proper inflation is a necessity so that the correct amount of time comes into contact with the road. Experts suggest having your tires rotated and balanced about every 6,000 miles. You might also want to do a visual and then pressure check your spare tire.

5. If there is snow on the car, clear all of it off — not just at the windows. This will not only improve your visibility but will save the driver behind you from getting a windshield full of blinding snow from your car. In fact, a growing number of states prohibit drivers from operating a motor vehicle with snow on its roof.

6. Be sure to check your windshield washer fluid before starting out. Every experienced driver knows the misery of driving with a salt-covered windshield.

7. Keep your speed down — well below the speed limit when the ground is wet or covered in wet leaves. A slower pace means that you'll have more time to respond in you start skidding.

8. Unless you have anti-lock brakes, don't brake if you start to skid. Instead steer the car in the direction that you want to go. This will help straighten it out. If you have anti-lock brakes, keep them pressed down as you maneuver the car.

9. Don't use high beams in snow or fog. The added light just bounces back at your eyes, cutting down on your visibility.

10. While traveling in bad weather, especially on the highway, keep your distance. Keep more space between cars than you think is needed.

11. Keep some emergency supplies in you car in case you get stuck. A blanket, comfortable walking shoes or boots, a hat, mittens and even an old jacket are all good supplies to have on hand. Some non-perishable foods, such as energy bars, dried fruit, nuts or cereal, along with bottled water (not filled to the top in case it freezes) are good additions, too.

12. If you should get stuck in your car, be sure to keep the snow away from the tailpipe if the engine is running at all. A blocked tailpipe will result in build-up of deadly carbon monoxide inside the car.

13. Always keep your gas tank at least half full and top off when you reach your destination. A full fuel tank keeps condensation from forming in the empty tank space. The resulting moisture can freeze and clog fuel lines.

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HIDDEN VALLEY AND YOU — PERFECT TOGETHER: It used to be called the Hidden Valley Ski Area. Now it's the Hidden Valley Club. The medium-sized New Jersey ski area, in Vernon, close to Mountain Creek Ski Area, has announced that it is transitioning to a ski club, and has begun to offer family memberships.

Club or not, though, Hidden Valley, which sports 14 trails, will remain open seven days a week to the general skiing public.

"We want to make the Hidden Valley Club more than just a place for skiing," says Greg Porcino, its general manager. "We want to be a destination where families can enjoy themselves and connect with other families in a social setting that just happens to have tremendous skiing opportunities as well."

Porcino points out that because all trails funnel down to the base lodge, it's much easier for parents to keep an eye on their children. He adds that the sale of lift tickets will be capped on weekends, helping to ensure the shortest possible lift lines. More information at www.thehiddenvalleyclub.com.

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MINOR MOGULS: Looking for a last minute lodging deal in the Killington, Vt., area? If you are flexible enough to book your lodging "blind," this is the deal for you. You'll get incredible last-minute prices -- but you will not know the name of the property until after you've completed a reservation. On the plus side, you can add on lift tickets at a 25% discount. Currently booking to Jan. 2, with last departure Jan. 3. Reservations must be made online at least 48 hours before arrival. www.Killington.com. . . . Smuggler's Notch ski resort in Vermont has just installed the Flaik GPS System. Using Global Positioning System-enabled tags assigned to each skier, snowboarder or ski school student, the Flaik system can instantly locate individuals, can allow instructors and ski and snowboard school supervisors to monitor students, and will enable the Ski Patrol to dispatch key support when and where needed.

Here's a dining switch - Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vt., this season offers Snow Cat dinners Saturday nights through March 13. You depart from the Jackson Gore Inn lobby in a . . . Snow Cat, which carries you up the mountain to Epic, Okemo's eclectic mountainside restaurant. The unique dining experience is by reservation, of course, and will set you back $125 per person, prix fixe. 802-228-1435. ... Kids 12 and under ski free each weekend in January at Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire. ... Stratton Mt. Resort in Vermont offers ski demo days next week at its First Run ski shop. You can meet manufacturer reps and test Salomon skis on Dec. 28, Dynastar on Dec. 29, Hart on Dec. 30, and Rossignol on Jan. 2.

Hunter Mt. in the Catskills has its ladies only consumer demo day next Wednesday, Dec, 30. ... The Winwood Inn at Windham Mt. ski area, also in the Catskills, gives you 30% off holiday rates for select one-and-two-bedroom condos from this Saturday, Dec. 26, to Saturday, Jan. 2. Included is a continental breakfast, access to the fitness center and game room, and a shuttle to and from the mountain. Reservations at 518-734-3000. ... You can buy a lift ticket on Dec. 25 for a mere $25 at Belleayre ski area in Highmount, N.Y.