What are your tips for touring in icy conditions?

High gear, look well ahead and anticipate

We are in the fortunate position of not needing to get to work, so when caught on a site a few years ago by several inches of snow, we booked an extra couple of nights until the roads cleared. Not normally a problem as there are always cancellations in these circumstances. Personally I think even if still working, I would have preferred to leave the van and pick it up later, rather than tow in thick snow.

As far as snow and ice are concerned dont go unless its absolutely have to.Simple as that for me.

v9

Agree with the above. If you have optional 4 wheel drive then use it. Brake gently well before you need to and 'feel' the road condition. Snow not as great a problem when fresh but what lies beneath it!!

I have towed safely on snow and ice but still would not recommend it. We drove 50 miles and the compacted snow/ice was for the last 4 or 5 miles on a fairly straight road with gentle curves. 

Also towed a few miles on fresh snow in a built up area on another occasion.

I have drove many times in Denmark and Sweden in the winter, and people in those country's cope a lot better than here in the UK, a lot use winter tyres which help a lot,  but if you use chains or whatever you must still be very light with your right foot, and more so on bends and no sharp braking,  the only way is less speed.

Have driven in bad winter conditions. In areas where it can get severe be prepared, take warm clothes and a hot drink etc, and keep your distance from other vehicles. Don't expect your brakes to work on ice, anticipate and slow down well in advance.

Remember that anti lock brakes work correctly/best when the pedal is pressed fairly hard!

Drive slowly, don't change gears on a corner, light brake usage if any, better to let the car slow you down by stepping off the accelerator, lots of distance atwixt you & the vehicle in front, Snow isn't the hardest driving condition-ice is(frozen slush too) 4wd is no good on ice. If I need to be out early in the morning in severe icy conditions then it's chains on the tyres. Drive safely.

As a AA supervisor told me "Chelsea 4x4 Tractors" are one of the worst in slippery conditions, as they normally only have standard road tyres, and the difference is most drivers think they are "better" but end up getting into trouble more often, and the result is usually more spectacular than a front wheel drive only saloon  .And rear wheel drive only vehicles are the first to get stuck

After driving in some really poor winter conditions when working on the Woodhead Pass, when the only 4x4  was a Landy, I learnt Slow speed  in Highest gear ,give plenty of space to the one in front,and keep Off the Brakes ,and a tow rope comes in very handy  + shovel and thermos of hot drink

I was surprised a few years ago when there was a lot of snow, we were staying at Southport over Christmas and drove some 20 miles or so to visit OH's relatives. The road that they lived on meant going up hill on thick ice and then turning left at the top of the hill. I did a three point turn and parked outside their home. The road was that icy and treacherous that I walked around the car to help OH out. I say walked but in reality I held the rail at the top of the car and pulled myself along so that my feet just slid over the ice. It was safer than walking. We did the same reaching the footway and then did the same using the wall in front of their house. Thankfully their drive was clear. 

With having just the original tyres I thought that I would struggle but not in the least. Tyres are just original Dunlop ST20 Grandtrek