A potential snowstorm is brewing for later this week, which might bring measurable snow across the Mid-Atlantic region — perhaps a foot or more in mountain regions. A good snowstorm can drive many skiers and snowboarders to visit their favorite resorts — and to do that, they must drive to the mountains. Since the Mid-Atlantic region doesn’t experience snowstorms too often, we thought we’d refresh you on some tips for driving safely in the snow, in case you encounter snowy roads in your pursuit of some turns.

Check road conditions and weather. Before heading out, be sure to check current road conditions from your house all the way to the ski area, and check the weather forecast so you know what precipitation might be on the way. While Interstates and major roads are usually in good condition, the last few miles of back roads to a ski resort can be treacherous. There tends to be more snow at higher elevations, so conditions can deteriorate noticeably as you near the resort.

Check your tires. Out west (where the mountains are a tad taller), many skiers swap out their summer tires for grippier winter tires. That Fall tradition isn’t common here, so you’re unlikely to have a set of winter tires in your garage. But your car will do much better in the snow if it has all-season tires. If you aren’t sure, check your tire’s sidewall markings. All-season tires are usually marked with “M+S” (standing for Mud and Snow), or the words “All-Season.” If you see a snowflake symbol on your tire, even better. If you don’t have all-season tires, you might want to avoid driving on snowy roads — or bum a ride off a friend who does have the appropriate tires.

While checking your tire type, you can also make sure each tire is properly inflated and has plenty of tread left.

The right kind of tire can make all the difference when it comes to traction in the snow.

Prepare your vehicle. In addition to ensuring your tires are in good shape, before venturing into wintry weather, it’s good to check your car’s battery. There’s nothing worse than ending a day on the slopes to discover your car’s battery has died. Make sure your windshield wiper fluid reservoir is full, with antifreeze that is rated for below freezing temperatures. You can go through antifreeze very quickly when driving on slushy, salt-covered roads, so you’ll want that topped off.

If you car is covered with snow and ice, be sure to clear all of it before driving away. Visibility is crucial, and you don’t want a slab of snow or ice flying off the top of your car and hitting the car behind you.

Stock your car with proper winter gear. Perform the following mental exercise: if you get stuck for hours on the side of a snowy road in freezing temperatures, what essentials would you want to have with you? You’ll want to be prepared with snacks and water, extra clothing and blankets, a small shovel, and an ice scraper. It’s also a good idea to carry a bag of sand or cat litter to help provide traction if you get stuck. And a first aid kit is also an important car accoutrement.

If you get stuck in the snow, you’ll appreciate having key essentials in your vehicle such as blankets, extra food, water, and a first aid kit.

Drive safely. Driving in slippery conditions requires skill and finesse. Reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. It will take longer to brake on snowy or icy roads, and a sudden brake might send you sliding into a ditch — or the car in front of you. An abrupt maneuver could also lead you to quickly lose control of your vehicle.

If you do start to skid, steer gently into the direction of the skid and avoid slamming on the brakes. Virtually every modern car has some form of anti-skid or traction control technology, so when you brake, you might feel pulsing coming from the brake pedal. That’s normal. The old advice of “pumping the brakes” doesn’t apply on newer vehicles; keep the pressure on the brakes steady.

When climbing hills, gain some inertia on a flat roadway before you start the ascent. Avoid powering up hills, as this can cause your wheels to spin. When going downhill, keep your speed in check and use lower gears if necessary to slow your vehicle down.

Sometimes it’s best to give the snowplows time to do their magic before venturing to the slopes.

Consider delaying your trip. If you see snow falling outside your window, your instincts might be to immediately pack up the car and head to the slopes. But it might be worth waiting until road crews have a chance to properly treat roads (and ski resorts have a chance to plow the parking lots). Also bear in mind that while you might be an excellent winter driver, many (most?) of your peers on the roadway in the Mid-Atlantic probably aren’t.

Before visiting any ski resort, also check their current operating conditions. In extremely snowy or windy conditions, some resorts might have a delayed opening. And while a dump of snow in our area might make the slopes look snow-covered on the webcams, because of unseasonably mild temperatures the past few weeks, there might still be limited terrain open until resorts have a chance to supplement Mother Nature with snowmaking.

Did we miss any good tips for winter driving? Please feel free to share your own tips below.