It has nothing to do with snow, it’s temperature – at 7ºC rubber hardens, loses its grip.

What’s happening: a plastic runway is hosed down, to simulate a sheet of ice. Drive onto it at 35 km/h, pull the handbrake to initiate a skid, test the tires.

They’re counter-intuitive movements, but if you start to skid: steer into the skid, and don’t hit the brakes.

Don’t cheap out on the only part of your car that touches the road.

Calmly sliding along.

My column from last year, “Get Winter Tires” [and ‘ice rink driving’ video].

These are  Michelin X-Ice Xi3.  About $150 / corner, $600-ish for the car. 

Sometimes you can find a discount when you buy 4.  You must put 4 winter tires on, buying just 2 doesn’t work, it makes it worse on 3 levels.

Canadian Tire usually has good deals, and as of this season, will now store your summer tires.