Ice Roads for Dummies (not a Thumb Drift tutorial)

Although my experience pales in comparison with those who actually depend on them, I learned how to drive on ice roads before I learned how to drive on pavement. No, I am not talking about a road with a layer of ice on top. I am talking about actual roads made out of ice. That’s right, roads made out of frozen H2O, sub-zero dihydrogen monoxide, or solid aqua fresca. It’s a skill that the majority of CTzens might not have the opportunity to exercise, but the few that do experience it won’t forget it. Driving on ice is without a doubt one of the coolest things I’ve ever done behind the wheel. But there’s a lot that you need to know before you set out on your epic adventure. Ice roads, as it turns out, are some of the most complicated and dangerous roads in the world.

First off, it’s important to differentiate between driving on a full-fledged ice road and driving on a frozen lake. Personally, I have only done the latter. Usually, where I live, it’s as simple as driving through the deep snow (when the ice is thick enough, of course). Sometimes, the surface is so wind-swept that the bare ice is exposed, but you would normally only be able to go across in a 4x4 without getting stuck. About the only thing that is required to drive on a lake is some bitter cold—not exactly a rarity in the Great White North. However, ice roads tend to be a lot more complicated, and are specially engineered to be able to withstand the weight of fully-loaded transport trucks. These tend to exist only in the northernmost parts of Canada, and are used to access remote communities or regions where building an all-season road is either not physically possible or economically unviable.

The Making of an Ice Road

By around December in Canada, the frigid winter has been around long enough to make the lake ice about a foot thick, which is enough for a snowplow to get across. Making the road path is crucial, as removing the snow actually helps the ice freeze faster—the snow actually insulates the ice beneath from the cold somewhat. Once the road thickens, road crews go out and “build” the ice road by drilling holes in the ice nearby, and then pump lake water on top of the road as if they were flooding a hockey rink. All of this is necessary to make the ice road 40’’ thick by late January, at which point a 45-ton Super-B tractor-trailer can safely cross. At this point, the road is officially opened.

The Dangers of Ice Roads

Contrary to what you may think, ice does not sit still once the lake has frozen. Rarely do lakes and rivers freeze all the way through, so the ice layer sits on top of the water. This means that the ice is actually constantly moving—if you drive on ice, you can sometimes hear the ice crackling as it shifts—which can make it unpredictable for driving across. Waves from the water underneath can cause the ice to heave in certain spots, which can be a real problem as the ice is generally much weaker in the area of a heave.

In addition to heaving, the ice might just melt in certain spots, or not form as strongly. This tends to occur close to the shoreline, which is why I try to stay as far away from shore as I can. You have to be careful when you drive onto the ice for the same reason—most trucks that I’ve seen go through the ice have done so at the entrance to the lake. Fortunately, I have not gone through the ice before, but my father has told me time and time again about his experience doing so. Many ages ago, he was driving along a frozen lake near his home when the ice gave way. He managed to get out of his RamCharger before it sank to the bottom of Echo Lake, but had the unenviable task of bringing it back up. Luckily for him, since this occurred eons ago, there weren’t too many electronics to get destroyed by the frozen lake water, so once he got it all thawed and dried, he kept driving that sucker. They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to.

The Rules of the Ice Road

1. Drive Slow

This is probably the most important rule to follow. Ice roads have very low speed limits for a reason. Your car is putting a whole lot of force on the ice, which is actually quite flexible. The faster you drive, the more stress the ice is under, and the more waves form underneath the surface. If you drive too fast, you can cause the ice to heave, and break through. Not only could this kill you, but the ice road will have to be shut down for repairs, making you look like a giant plug to the community on the other end.

2. Don’t Wear Your Seatbelt

Disclaimer: the legality of this might vary by jurisdiction, so check before you go. That being said, it’s certainly a good idea if you are on a lake or an ice road to unbuckle your seatbelt. You probably won’t be going fast enough to need to need it anyway, as it could actually do you more harm than good. If you happen to break through the ice, you’ll waste precious seconds getting out of your seatbelt. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to make sure your doors and windows are unlocked. It could save your life.

3. Get Winter Tires or Chains

Like an icy road, there’s not very much for grip on an ice road. Even if you have a 4x4, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper tires on your car, as the last thing you’ll want to do is slide off the road and get stuck.

A Unique Experience

Ice roads are a triumph of the human ingenuity of engineering working together with the unstoppable forces of Mother Nature. Many places in the world, such as Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, are inaccessible by vehicle without them. Driving on ice is a bit of a surreal experience—nothing else I’ve ever driven on feels anything like it. It’s bumpy, slippery, and lots of fun. In fact, if you want to discover the Henri Toivonen in you, hooning on a frozen lake is the most fun thing I have ever done in a car.

Source: https://www.uhaul.com/SuperGraphics/171/2/Enhanced/Venture-Across-America-and-Canada-Modern/Northwest-Territories/Journey-On-The-Ice-Roads