You’re leaving Bridger Bowl, or cruising through Gallatin Canyon when the snow starts piling up faster than you expected.
Suddenly, your tires spin – and you’re going nowhere. Sound familiar?
A good car kit can turn that kind of day around in no time. Here are three must-have tools to get you back on the road when winter is… well, wintering.
#1: A Compact Snow Shovel That Packs Power
A sturdy, collapsible shovel is a lifesaver when you’re buried in snow! It gets the job done fast and doesn’t hog your trunk space – perfect for those ‘outta nowhere’ Bozeman snow dumps!
Why You Need a Foldable Snow Shovel in Your Car in Bozeman
Bozeman averages over 86 inches of snow a year (yep, one of the snowiest spots in Montana). When the snow piles up, a solid shovel can be the difference between being late for work or sitting there spinning your tires for hours.
Go for something light but tough: a strong plastic shovel that’s easy to handle and won’t crack under pressure!
Owenhouse Ace’s Compact Snow Shovel Top Pick
We’re big fans of the Suncast Poly Telescoping Snow Shovel! It’s small enough to live in your trunk without taking over your space, but tough enough for those deep Bozeman snowbanks.
The telescoping handle extends when you need leverage and collapses down when you’re done. It’s one of those tools that’ll make you wonder how you ever went without it.
#2: Traction Aids to Get You Moving Again
When your tires just spin and you’re stuck on ice, traction tools are worth their weight in gold. Grip mats, sand, or even a bag of cat litter can help your tires grab and get you moving again.
How Traction Tools Work
When the roads get slick, traction tools create friction under your wheels, giving your tires something to bite into. They’re lightweight, reusable, and don’t take up much space.
No mats? No problem. A sprinkle of sand or cat litter under your tires works surprisingly well to help you pull out of those icy spots.
The Car Traction Tools You Need for Icy Bozeman Roads
According to the Montana Department of Transportation, ice and snow cause more than 13,000 crashes every year in the state – and a lot of those happen on the kinds of mountain and back roads we all drive around here.
Keeping some traction aid in your trunk is a cheap peace of mind and can save you a long, cold wait for a tow. A bag of Quikrete Tan Tube Sand or even a good rubber utility mat can do the trick! Just toss it under your tires for a little extra grip, and you’ll be back on the road in no time.
#3: A Reliable Emergency Car Kit for Bozeman Winter
Between our long drives, cold temps, and remote backroads, having an emergency kit isn’t optional – it’s just plain smart. It’s the kind of backup you’ll be glad to have when things don’t go exactly your way.
What to Include in Your Kit
Here’s what we recommend tossing in your emergency car kit for Bozeman winters:
If you’re ever stuck waiting for help, these basics can keep you warm, visible, and fed until you’re rolling again!
Build Your Own or Grab a Ready-Made Kit
Yep! As you can see, we’ve got all the individual gear if you want to build your own winter emergency kit – or customize it to fit your lifestyle. But if you’d rather grab one that’s ready to roll, check out the Roadside Emergency Kit by Orion!
It’s packed with the essentials you’ll need for a roadside emergency (we’d say the name fits just right!).
Stay Ready for Montana’s Winter Roads
Bozeman winters have a way of testing everyone’s patience, but a little prep goes a long way (we say it all the time, so it’s gotta be true, right?). Whether you’re heading up for a ski day or just running errands around town, the right tools can make all the difference.
Swing by Owenhouse Ace Hardware Downtown or West in Bozeman, and we’ll help you find the right snow gear, traction tools, and emergency essentials to keep you safe out there – before the next big storm hits!
