COLD COMFORT

SNOW CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA CAN BE WET, COLD, UNPREDICTABLE AND UNCOMFORTABLE - BUT WITH THE RIGHT PREP, IT CAN ALSO BE ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ADVENTURES YOU'LL EVER HAVE

- WORDS AND PHOTOS TODD HORE

If you’re the type who’s got a screw loose and lives for a wild adventure – first of all, hi, and welcome to Lunatics Anonymous. Secondly, you’re probably just the sort of person who’d be tempted to try snow camping.

But before you go chasing subzero thrills, it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. Four-wheel driving and camping in snow isn’t your average weekend away – it’s next-level stuff. And if you get it wrong, it can go bad fast.

So here are some things you need to know before heading into the white stuff - because fun should never come at the cost of being unprepared.

YOUR 4X4 DOESN'T LIKE THE COLD

Planning a night out in subzero temps? It's not just you that needs to be ready - your 4x4 needs to be prepped for cold weather, too.

If you're running a diesel, you've probably heard of alpine diesel - it's treated with anti-gel additives to stop it waxing up in freezing conditions. You won't find it at your local servo, so fill up in the alpine towns before heading up or use an additive.

Also for diesel owners: check your glow plugs. If they're already sluggish on cold mornings, they'll struggle even more when it's below zero.

For both petrol and diesel rigs, battery health is critical. A tired battery can leave you stranded come morning, and keep in mind that lithium batteries don't like charging below freezing either.

And don't forget your cooling system. It sounds odd, but if your coolant mix isn't right, it could freeze. A faulty thermostat can also stop the engine reaching operating temp - and if that happens, your heater is not going to work. That's a dealbreaker in snow country.

IT'S SLIPPERY