Ask Lemmy

If you have gas motor equipment in your garage (mower, snowplow, leafblower, boat), you should try to winterize it with specific stabilizers, otherwise you will have a hard time starting it in the spring.

Wear layers, layers, layers and a proper winter jacket on top. Winter mittens or gloves, a hat, scarf, neck warmer, balaclava or face covering, ear muffs, snow pants, could all be stuff you need depending on how far north you go and how thick the snow piles up. Almost universally in cold climates you will need proper boots.

Similar to Humidex, there's a value called wind chill, because the layer of heat you radiate gets blown away making you feel colder. Pay attention to that, and remember that hands and ears left exposed will get frostbite after some time. You can find charts online (Celsius and Fahrenheit).

Watch for black ice on roads and sidewalks, it looks just "wet" but it is very slippery ice. Use road salt or other de-icing compounds on your walkways and driveways so that you and others don't slide around or fall.

A bunch of driving stuff:

Do NOT go posted speed on roads that aren't fully cleared. In reduced visibility conditions like blizzards you might have to go half the usual freeway speed or less, with flashers on and follow the car in front. It's best to avoid driving in snowstorms.

Winter tires may be required in some areas, but they are strongly recommended even if not. Leave a safety kit and brush in the car, because in remote areas it may be an entire day before a tow can even get to you. Have blankets in the car in winter.

Test recovery out of a slide in a safe place so you know what to do in a pinch. You don't have to go too fast, just somewhere that doesn't get cleared well with no obstacles to crash into like a rarely cleared parking lot. Two modes are: brake fail going straight (with my old car you needed to be light but steady on the brakes for best effectiveness), and a turn going wider than you expected. The car will not respond to sudden maneuvers like you would expect on a clear surface.

Stack up on basic meds for when you catch cold. You're likely to have it a lot, it's kinda normal.

Also, if you're gonna live in an area with central heating, make sure heaters in your home are fully operational and don't need to have air removed. They should be hot all throughout their surface.

Cross-country skiing is fun! I think so, anyway. Take it easy, don't expect to be super good at it right away, et cetera, but maybe try out whichever winter sports appeal to you. What everyone else said, but also don't forget to go outside and enjoy yourself sometimes.

I would have liked to know if it snows so that I won't move there

Watch out for freezing rain as the sidewalks become scary.

Im addition to the other tools to dig your car out, fill a large sealable bag or jug with a mix of sand and road-salt and leave it in your trunk/boot. If you end up haveing trouble getting traction when you start the car on a hill or have to get up a small lip around your tires, throw the mix under the drive train tires to help get you out of the hole.

Keep your torso warm with layers and don't get wet

What is north for you? I see so many tips being the dumbest things I've ever heard of.

Like plastic wrap on your windows. Sounds like something stupid Americans does instead of buying proper insulated windows.

Not saying I'm a expert. But I am a Swede and deal with snow and cold every year.