Today, while driving from Fleurier to La Chaux-de-Fonds, 5km away from La Brévine, I lost the control on steering while cornering and braking at the same time, even worse because it was in a decline. The car got motionless into a big pile of snow and ice.
I was driving at 30km or so, the result was snowtastrophic. Braking while cornering is something people should NOT do in extreme conditions...
Fortunately a man with a 4x4 and a rope was right behind me, he saved my ass. The car is intact.

I was being really careful, but the lack of experience and knowledge on such extremes conditions made me lost the control. I'm posting a video just in case it helps some folks.

Also drove in snowy conditions today, RWD with snow tires. Had a few scary moments, and true, never hit the brakes while cornering, especially in a downward slope. Glad you and your car is okay. Drive safe!

Oooops, I guess you never got much practice in Lisbon, lol. Thank goodness you are safe, the car OK and nobody else involved.
Are you rear or front wheel drive, and what sort of tyres?

Fleurier you say, and you didn't even pop in for coffee. Stay safe.
We've just driven up from Fleurier and there was a car perched on a snow/ice pile on a roundabout at least 1m50 up - how on earth did that happen?

Thanks for this useful post, possibly it will save a life or more.

Being out in snow and snow blizzards can be hair-raising, but it is some of the other drivers who do not know how to take proper care that is so scary.

From what Ive seen from most advanced tuition is that most problems occur with the lead foot, and not looking far enough ahead.

That, and not using your phones in white out conditions. Like the three ****'s I saw doing exactly that this morning. One was over taking my bus at the time, and almost caused a *massive* accident.

U2usual, I drove a RWD 5 meters long and 2 tones car during all the last Winter season, even with Winter tires it was really scary to drive it. It's sold!

Odile, as you can imagine we don't have snow and ice in Lisbon to practice this kind of driving .
Actually I'm driving a FWD with Winter tires, even so, there aren't miracles, as I prove it today lol

You are so lucky you learnt the hard way without major damage to anything or anybody. Hurrah.

Agree. I'm totally conscious of that. I'm not expecting to be so lucky on the future, but more careful.

Nice video ,the only concerns i have are the Quebec plates

Glad you weren't hurt. I watched the video, I need as much advice as possible driving in these conditions... but even at 30km.... that shocks me. La Brévine - La t'Chaux is that quite a windy road? I've been on it, but can't remember now. Anyway, you're wise for getting some info and learning from it! I hope I'll be fine, we have a lot of snow and it's still snowing.. Slow and steady wins the race, right....?

How much snow is there in La Chaux-de-fonds at the moment. May be moving there soon

and people should remember you can not steer if the wheels are not turning... as shown by this fantastic attempt in geneva

Nice. I can't find it now but I have seen a video where parked cars without occupants start sliding on their own accord. A bit of a breeze was enough to send them sliding.

I learned something new about winter driving some 10 years ago when I wrote off (totalled) my VW Golf in Graubunden.

I started high up the valley one morning at about 1300 metres in heavy snow with about 10 cms on the unploughed road. Here the snow was dry and the winter tyres gripped well.

In the comfort of my car, I was unaware that as I descended the curvy road to the bottom of the valley that the nature of the snow was changing. As it got slightly warmer going down the snow was wetter and offered less grip.

All was well until at about only 20kmph I took a right curve in the road. The car just went straight on despite turning the wheel - right into a solid stone wall. Lucky it was not a left hander, or I'd have taken the quick route down to the bottom of the valley.

The airbags went off (what a stink) and the nearside front was demolished. Zurich insurance where very good about it though...

Donwhill on a snowy/icy and winding road, 30 kph is not slow in a corner. 10 to 20 kph is.

And if the local yoof in the BMW behind you pulls a face and tailgates you, pull over and let him go past. There is a shortage of donor organs after all.

Its a bad idea to brake in a corner in all conditions, brake before getting into the corner.

Thanks for posting the video for other people who may need the advice - I'm very, very glad you're ok!

Sapin, I guess wind is not very common there.

Wife_of_Porsch, since middle December La Chaud-de-Fond has been covered by snow. There are more snowplows on the road than cars

AbFab, with me was similar. I did the very same route 2 hours before and it was clean and shiny. When coming back, I started from Fleurier at 700m and then high up the valley in low snow, while I was gaining altitude the snow was getting deeper and harder, but I didn't realize how much it had changed the grip on my tires. That road is totally dark at night, which doesn't help...

BonBon, true, but in good conditions if you don't brake enough before the corner, in most situations you can adjust the speed during the corner in safety. On the hard snow, there isn't any tolerance for wrong calculations with braking distances.

If the snow keeps falling like this I have to get a skimobile ...