How To Survive IDAHO’S Brutal Winters // Local Tips & Tricks

[@ryanjones7392]

Excellent video! Thank you for making this.

[@fondasarff9701]

Born in Bonner county still live here. Follow Benjamin Franklin' s advice. Prepare for the worst. Then if it doesn't happen you can enjoy. If it does you're Ok. Make sure the freezer and pantry are stocked. Then if the weather goes bad you don't have to go out in it. Slow down driving, there's no reason for the State Troopers should have to go on tv every storm to beg people to slow down!!!! But my best tip, the first time you plow, blow or shovel your driveway, start wider than you think you'd ever need to. Every time will get a little narrower. Some winters the weather might clear it all back for you. Some winters the berms will add up to six feet plus and you don't want your car to be wider than the drive you're trying to get through.

[@scottcarl3086]

I love living in Couer d'Alene! I live off grid with no power or water up in the mountains. It's definitely not for the faint of heart! And believe me these temperatures can kill you faster than you think! Be prepared!

[@analyticalchick3064]

It doesn't sound like you live in CdA. It sounds like you live outside CdA.

[@scottcarl3086]

@Analytical Chick oh believe me I live in CDA!

[@scottcarl3086]

@@analyticalchick3064 I live on Mullan Trail Rd. That's still in CDA.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

What is CdA?

[@scottcarl3086]

@@Glen.Danielsen CDA is short for Couer d'Alene

[@vinniecorleone62]

Excellent points on winter living Trent, quite enjoyable! I'm from Portland Maine so I am used to 72 below zero chill factors, moving from California to Idaho was a delightful move up!

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Extremely helpful Trent. Thanks mammothly much!

[@Realitytime2024]

I've been here for many years. What I've done the last few years is check out and plan my spring gardening, flowers and veggies! When I get sick of snow, which is already, that's what I do. Looking at plants puts smiles on my face. Cold lake! You're nuts.

[@annam1969]

On another note, Major item left out SNOWPLOWS. 4 out of commission 1st week of Dec and 8 in Montana. Don't pass on right, don't go near, encroach a snowplow. Incredible how this seems to happen. Otherwise, good video.

[@johnfullmer7659]

All great ideas and wonderful experience with the cold plunge

[@DelRBowlby]

Great Video...very helpful. Grew up here. (Lewiston.) My wife as well. Moved back from Central Cal 3 years ago. First winter back was a little crazy. Went up to an empty parking lot after the first snow and got my "snow legs" back. No problem now.

[@donnolan7319]

i was working as a nurse in st. maries and living up the st joe river. I had to park at the bottom of the hill, load up my arms with grocery bags and walk 1/4 mile up the driveway. my husband said i drove like i just got here from florida hahaha

[@dmark6699]

Can't wait to get to Idaho.

[@johneertwegh6261]

I just moved here from a small beach town in Southern California lived there my entire life. My wife and I bought a place in Rathdrum. Think we already have 3ft of snow on the property and it's not even winter. Other then no contact with people I m so far ok with it. Snow skied for most of my life so driven in snow quite a bit . One thing that might make it easier is I still have a rv in California. So if I do get sick of the winter I can head back down znd snowbird it for a month or 2. Anyway great video.

[@gmariet1391]

I think you are such a good teacher Trent ! Thank you ❣️

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Thank you @Gmarie T! Such a nice comment to read after putting effort in to a project.

[@aribasmajian18]

Good video I lived in cda for yesrs one thing left out of the video is the freezing rain that happens at least once or twice in winter there just keep the heat on in the car it works the lack of sunlight is normal for anywhere in the inland and Pacific northwest it's just not as wet as the coasts of Washington or Oregon winters in North Idaho can be rough like any other cold weather state. Further north like standpoint and bonners ferry it snows more cda and standpoint tend to get lake affect snow on occasion. Nailed it though.

[@aaroncroddy1056]

Always like your videos, good advice to people who aren't prepared. Newer to idaho (not from cali) another nearby state and glad to see a state where most drivers know how to drive in the winter.

[@gaming_ontaps3073]

Love your videos brother. Low key you turn the right type of people away lol. Meaning the ones we are trying to get away from.

[@NW_Ranger]

Additions for the road kit for some locations: Tire chains Road flares and compact reflective triangles. A full size axe (quality is very important, not a cheap box or chain store piece of crap). A wood cutting saw such as a 24” pruning saw, maybe add a crosscut saw at 3’ or 4’ and a few bucking wedges (if you don’t know what these saws are for and/or how to use them safely, get some training and experience with a pro). A chainsaw with fuel and bar oil is sometimes very handy, not always safe or realistic to haul around, in fact in any vehicle other than a pick- up truck (in the bed) it is a definite No-No. Never put this in the cockpit or a trunk of a S.U.V. or car (this could get you killed) A high quality compressible and compact snow shovel (just for snow) and military style shovel with a folding version is handy for storage in some rigs (for dirt, gravel etc.). Nylon tow straps (longer) and tree straps (shorter). Some kind of mechanical wenching/pulling, something a 1:1 and 2:1 capability such as a “Wyeth-Scott” with “Amsteel Blue synthetic rope” at the minimum (same advice as with the saws, if you how this stuff works, find a pro to train you. Axes, saws, wenching, towing, etc. can cause you in very serious physical INURY and/or DEATH. So get your act together way before this stuff needed.

[@shawnm2405]

Hultafor axes are great

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

@N.W. Ranger Solid list. Definitely not needed for most but for those out a ways this is really good.

[@darrellhigley4523]

Block heater... Keep your engine warm at night but watch for animals before starting your engine Grew up there, still miss it during the summer, but don't miss the winter weather

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Great advice and very thorough. In case you didn't say it another snow driving tip I have is simply avoiding hills as much as possible. Obviously you can't always avoid it but planning your route to stay on as flat a path as possible is a good idea. Where I live we don't get a lot of snow but it's very hilly and this is a challenge. The first time you slide backwards down a hill you won't want to do that again. Saying that I still tend to prefer driving up a hill than down one. Going up I just keep my momentum up but going down you only have so much control to keep your speed down and once you start sliding it's unlikely you will regain control before you hit something or go off the road. Oh and do your best to NOT STOP! My greatest pet peeve in snow driving is people stopping in front of me. Just slow and steady and keep your wheels turning. Lastly, like Trent said, 4WD and AWD won't help you stop. ALL the rules to snow driving apply no matter what you are driving. I grew up in the days of RWD and we often didn't even have chains let alone studded tires. Good sensibilities and skill, or touch, is what got us by. Now with AWD nobody should be stuck or wrecked. Any boaters may have an advantage because there is a similar feel to driving a boat on water. If your rear slides to one side simply steer into it (same direction as your rear is sliding in). Doing the opposite will just send you in a spin, and get off the brakes if your sliding. In FWD or AWD giving it a little gas can usually help pull the car back in line.

[@amritoit]

Excellent! Gonna try lake dip very soon. Thank you for sharing.

[@defenestrationfan]

Except for the cost (and the polar bear plunge) Idaho seems like a slice of heaven.

[@therealmountainmanmike]

Great video. Some good tips for sure. Remote starters are definitely amazing and a nice comfort in cold winter areas. I will say swimming in the winter is all fun and games until your toes start turning black and purple. At least God gave us plenty of extra toes if we lose one or two.

[@807paperclip]

Good thing for the car is a candle also. keeps the car warm enough to survive

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Not suggested for anyone that just ate Taco Bell. 💥 ☠️

[@sleepoftranquility379]

@@LivingLifeNorthIdaho this reply is priceless! 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EarthquakeBeats]

Found it very helpful. Moving that way this month. Will be reaching out. That mental health tip was golden. I’ll be working on some music production during the winter. And lots of drums! Lol

[@annam1969]

Great video.... lots of good points made that we should all know or brush up on.

[@Emrosie2024]

I've lived here for years and I still get help here and there when it comes to snow. I've even had the UPS lady help me unstuck my car, lol.

[@loraitsjustme5994]

Love your low key but very informative videos! TY Trent 😊

[@nicko4384]

Nailed it. 👍

[@nancykunkler7403]

My husband and I have enjoyed and learned so much from your honest and insightful videos. Tonight we are in Grants Pass, Oregon, on our way to our new home in CDA. I am doing 3 minute cold showers but 6 minutes in a cold lake? Wow! And if you like Whim Hoff you may also like Patrick McKeown of Oxygen Advantage. UTube video of him and James Nestor is a great introduction. Life changing for us anxiety sufferers👍.

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Love it @Nancy Kunkler thank you for sharing and I hope you like your new home here in north idaho.

[@DevinDeVore]

Love it!

[@aliciacordova3088]

Wow! Thank you for explaining with so much detail. I always enjoy your videos. Have a Nice Day! 🤗🏔🌨⛰

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

You bet! Thanks for watching and commenting @aliciacordova3088

[@jasonrowen8938]

Having owned 3 Raptors myself, they are definitely very good inclement weather vehicles, will most likely be moving to the CDA area next year.

[@presidentspilot]

Great info,Trent!! I lived in Rapid City, S. Dakota (Ellsworth Air Force Base's Helo pilot for Missile Crews) for 3 years, so I know your safety-planning story well,... and you did a SUPERB job in covering it!! One question: When stationed in Washington D. C., they ALSO had some snow, but as it turned out, they USED SALT on their roads, that totally destroyed my PRISTINE NEW VOLVO in 6 years. Does CDA, or the Boise area, use salt on their roads as well?..... Lord, I sure hope not!!

[@BelowLA]

Been in LA for 48 years. I drive tourists around Hollywood now. Moving to Idaho in February 2025. Gonna ba a change for sure. Going to Boise.

[@juanestigarribia8714]

Hi man, im going from south america to Idaho in a couple of weeks, pocatello. Your info makes me more confident. TY for the videos

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching them!

[@MOBLILGfrs]

I drive a crown vic that’s real wheel drive threw the winter it’s not bad

[@kevinhamer2230]

Everyone from the upper midwest when you said 30° had their jaws hit the floor. We dont even get our coats out for that.

[@wolfhunterv1]

We haven't had a good snow in 10years...

[@robertschimmick1698]

Trent.. Yeah when I get in a slump and need those endorphins stimulaperiod I have a little different routine. It's a Jacuzzi heated to about 101ﾟ.. I get out feeling great..

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

To each his own. I just like being able to cut glass with my nipples when I get done. 😆

[@debbieurias5151]

Great video, I look forward to seeing them. Great advice.

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Thanks @Debbie Urias

[@FreeStatePatriotTt]

Gotta change out that summer air for winter air in your tires.

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Same thing with the blinker fluid 😂

[@MrRmeadows]

A dark colored road that is normally lighter. Might be black ice. Caught me once in an area that I don't drive very often.

[@gofamfun6951]

Very informational. Thank you very much.

[@Strwbrrygrl22]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful!

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

You’re very welcome!

[@Norwedsh]

Good video! Do you have one for new residents on how to prepare their house for winter?

[@miketilson4446]

The slush section was helpful. I saw a neighbor recently being pulled out of the ditch on our road and he commented that he got too close to the edge and the slush pulled him into the ditch, and I believe his car had all-wheel drive.

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

It really is no joke. I've had enough bad situations happen that could have been avoided had I known some of these tips. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@teresawright8615]

Studded tires

[@WardDorrity]

1. Don't come up here with a 2 wheel drive vehicle. Just don't. 2. Don't even think about getting through a winter in one of those little eco-fart cars. People will drive by and laugh at you while you're high-centered on the ridge that develops between two lanes. 3. If you're rural, invest in a decent tractor. Equip it with a loader and a back blade at a minimum. 4. Develop skills with snowshoes and/or skis. Useful for getting around and it's great exercise.

[@mrfirepm30]

Awesome video thanks for the info. What about winterizing your home ?

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Modern homes(90’s and up) are pretty well winterized. I always recommend having an hvac/insulation company come out and check the insulation. They can also bring a thermal imaging camera to see where the heat is escaping. Thanks for commenting!

[@mrfirepm30]

@@LivingLifeNorthIdaho awesome thanks

[@HLZBORO738]

I have used warm water to hot water on my windshield probably a hundred times it's never broken once I think the only time it will break is if there's a crack in it which there isn't but I think it applies just to windshields I don't know about the side windows..

[@pamelagarcia365]

Very true Trent!

[@lesterolson5526]

Add a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. Alcohol freezes below 200 degrees below zero. It makes clearing frost and ice off your windows much faster and easier but remember as the water delutes the alcohol it will freeze.

[@russellbrown7024]

How does the winters in Idaho compare with Utah, particularly northern Utah, Salt Lake area? I suspect they might be at least a little more severe due to being farther north, but your description makes it sound very similar.

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

I’ve not spent a ton of time in Utah but from what I’ve heard Salt Lake City is similar to Coeur d’Alene but the further you get towards Canada the more severe it is. Quite a bit more severe than Salt Lake City.

[@stuartrinker]

I grew up in SLC late 70’s and 80’s. We got a good amount of snow back then. We are farther north than CDA and average probably around 6’ a year. This year is kinda grim though so far only about 3’.

[@patriciaellinghausen4365]

We don’t get as much of the lake effect like Salt Lake. Lots of times it’s 4-6” at a time, then none for a while.

[@Lazarusaffect]

My old man said about driving in the winter and snow: 4wheel drive only means you have 4 spinning wheels instead of 2

[@stealinghubcaps]

great vid! you forgot to mention the most important things for your vehicle here in north Idaho:, a tow strap, and a chainsaw..

[@roxannecarson2814]

Our nerve endings wake up. 😬😬🙌🙌⛄️⛄️

[@ericstowelljr.1340]

I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life 25 years in March of 2023 Any more Winters get to me now even and I’ve been driving since 18

[@johnlynch4901]

In CDA is it as expensive to heat your house in winter as it is keeping your house cool in summer in Palm Springs??

[@geoffreymilke5176]

Are you discussing winter of 2022/23...or 2021/22? This winter is starting out with a bang...but last winter was big too (at least it was in the Silver Valley)

[@Joe-ch6mu]

compared to Duluth, MN, the snowfall is about half in CDA of what it is in Duluth. So its not as brutal as some places, but if you are from Los Angeles then yeah its probably a shock to see the snowfall and dark long nights. People from Svalbard will laugh at CDA winters.

[@jrollom]

Isn't lake Coeur d'Alene a superfund site and full of lead, cadmium, arsenic and zinc?

[@markw999]

Don't eat too many fish out of it. Fine for swimming in though.

[@christopherschmidt4657]

Hello from Germany I think I can live there being in Europe for a long time

[@CatCambak]

Yep very similar winters.

[@MalenasBazaArte]

It sounds very stressful!

[@lindamcconnell9441]

Honey Black ice is very typical in Tennessee. We get much more ice than snow.

[@pyrioncelendil]

The other scary driving condition to get stuck in is a whiteout blizzard. They're rare, but I've been in three in my past seven years of living here. Particularly before the roads have been plowed, sometimes your only indication of where the roads are are when you start driving over the shoulder rumble strips. Basic protip here is don't try to pull out ahead of everyone else doing 20mph in this stuff unless you have snow tires, because you're just gonna launch yourself into the median.

[@WardDorrity]

Another pro tip from this north Idahoan - just because you have 4 wheel drive, you don't become invincible to road conditions.

[@Kawika680]

Anyone else got a 4WD Toyota 4runner(on Studded snow tires)?????....I prefer winter because of less traffic/tourists

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Lots of those up here.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I'm curious if there is a need for more snow trucks. I'm sure there's plenty of people providing this service but given the increase in population and new housing developments I thought maybe there is an increase in demand that a new resident could help fill if they wanted to start a new seasonal business or side gig.

[@georgestreicher252]

Should one really be taping brakes with ABS? Always take a shovel and sand or pavement deicer to get the vehicle going if stuck on ice or snow. Make sure your wipers are off or raised off the windshield when parking the vehicle. The wipers can freeze to the windshield and burn out the wiper motor very quickly. Been there done that.

[@kvt-2025]

From Kansas. Lived in the CdA area for 18 years, and I've never experienced weather here that scared me. Not brutal. Tedious maybe.

[@jenniferandrew3373]

I add a shovel to the emergency list.

[@BluegrassNBass]

I appreciate how Idaho over exaggerating the winters in their videos. It must scare some but for most of the western runners it isn't an issue😂.

[@jonharper7930]

Winter in in North Idaho isn't brutal. It's pretty mild. Brutal is a good word to get clicks. Alaska has brutal Winters.

[@CatCambak]

This is a video for people moving here from California.

[@77Tadams]

Apparently you haven’t been to Mudlake Idaho. The armpit of hell.

[@nealfry2230]

January 23rd, 2024, Yesterday IT was below 0° in Livonia, Michigan and today IT was 34° with FREEZING Rain. STOP company about the Gem State or I'll stay in Pure Michigan. How's your Banking in Idaho? See ya soon Life Miss Sunshine. Apparently Idaho doesn't have Sunshine Hayden Panettiere. I'll Always Love you Hayden Panettiere Just ask Jesus Christ, I'm Neal Patrick Fry

[@nealfry2230]

PS, Eye am Beyond half Blind.

[@nealfry2230]

I've had my Life theatin' more Times than I can count because I'm a Kindergarten Drop Out.

[@nealfry2230]

Are you a Used Car Dealership?

[@nealfry2230]

All I have to do is Pay Taxes and Live Forever in The Holy Celestial Kingdom of Almighty God.

[@nealfry2230]

Hay BOY, What about Idaho? You're Knot a Used Car Saleswoman!!!

[@huh2275]

💪👍🌿✝

[@williamkerr8836]

This guy Costcos.

[@LivingLifeNorthIdaho]

Every week without fail.

[@concernedrn2844]

FYI the Earths atmosphere is approximately 78% Nitrogen anyways, so paying to fill tires with 100% nitrogen is just nonsense. Look it up.

[@josephgarcia9076]

Tip #1 Don't come here.

[@margotstanhope]

Why talking like we are six?

[@tomporterjr652]

learn ice hockey :)

[@dogmandan79]

Easy. Everyone watching this, Go Back To California!