Winter Car Packing: Emergency Kits & Cold Weather Essentials
Whether you're heading to the snow fields, driving through alpine regions, or just preparing for winter road conditions, there are items that should be in your car from June to August every year — no questions asked.
9 min read
Why Winter Driving Requires Extra Preparation
Australian winters are often underestimated. While the country is warm by global standards, the alpine regions of Victoria, NSW, and Tasmania experience genuine winter conditions — ice on roads, whiteouts, chains required zones, and temperatures well below zero. Even in Adelaide and Melbourne, overnight temperatures regularly drop to near freezing, and a breakdown at 3am in cold rain is a genuine safety risk.
The golden rule: anything you'd be relieved to have in an emergency, put in the car before winter starts. It takes 20 minutes to set up a winter emergency kit and the cost is minimal.
The Essential Winter Car Emergency Kit
Warmth & Shelter
- Emergency thermal blanket (foil type, takes no space)
- Warm jacket or sleeping bag (if driving alpine)
- Waterproof gloves and beanie
- Chemical hand warmers (single-use, long shelf life)
Vehicle Recovery
- Jumper cables or portable jump starter pack
- Tyre inflator / compressor
- Traction boards or old carpet for wheel grip
- Snow chains (required for alpine zones — check fit for your tyres)
Visibility & Safety
- Ice scraper and de-icer spray
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Reflective safety vest
- Reflective triangles (2 minimum)
Emergency Supplies
- Water (2L minimum, doesn't freeze in car)
- High-calorie snacks (muesli bars, nuts)
- First aid kit
- Fully charged power bank
- Physical road map (phone batteries die in cold faster)
Snow Chains: What You Need to Know
If you're driving to Victorian or NSW snowfields (Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Perisher, Thredbo), you may be required to carry snow chains by law, regardless of current conditions. Police can turn vehicles back if chains are not carried.
- Know your tyre size: Chains must match your specific tyre width and profile. Check the tyre sidewall (e.g., 225/45R17) before purchasing.
- Practice fitting before you go: Fitting chains in the dark, in snow, for the first time is extremely stressful. Practice in your driveway in advance.
- Where they go: Chains go on the driven wheels — front wheels for FWD, rear for RWD, ask the hire company which for AWD/4WD (usually front).
- Hire vs buy: One-season hire from ski resort service stations is typically $35–$50. Buying is worthwhile if you go every year ($80–$200).
Packing for an Alpine Ski Trip
A ski trip has a lot of gear — and most of it is bulky. Efficient packing strategy:
- Ski/snowboard equipment either in the boot (seats folded) or on roof ski racks — plan this first as it dictates everything else
- Ski boots are surprisingly large — a pair in a bag takes as much space as a large suitcase. Account for them separately
- Ski jackets and salopettes compress well in compression bags — use them
- Hire equipment rather than transport it where possible — rental gear is one less boot-load
Plan Your Winter Trip Packing
Check if your ski gear, bags, and emergency kit all fit in your car using the stowey calculator.
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