Car Stuck in Snow or a Ditch? What to Do

One moment you’re driving. The next, the back end steps out on a patch of ice, the wheel goes light in your hands, and your car is stuck in the snow at the side of the road. Or you’re pulling out of a parking spot after a storm and the wheels just spin.

It happens to careful drivers every winter in Edmonton. Snow, ice and cold snaps that drop to -30°C or colder make every road harder, and a busy highway is the worst place to lose grip. This guide covers what to do in the first few minutes, who to call, how to get your car out of the snow yourself and when to stop, what to tell the dispatcher, and what actually happens during a winch-out.

First, stay safe

Your vehicle can wait. Your safety can’t.

Check yourself and your passengers. Take a breath. Is anyone hurt? Does anything feel wrong? Adrenaline can hide pain, so take a moment before you move.

Turn on your hazard lights. Do it straight away, even in daylight. It helps other drivers see you, especially in blowing snow or at dusk.

Decide whether to stay in or get out. This depends on where you are.

If traffic is close and you can’t get well away from it safely, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on. A vehicle is better protection than standing beside a live lane.
If you can get out on the side away from traffic and move well back from the road, that’s usually safer. Never stand between your vehicle and moving traffic.

Keep the exhaust clear. If you run the engine for heat, make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow. A blocked exhaust can push carbon monoxide into the cabin. If you can’t clear it safely, switch the engine off and keep warm another way.

Stay warm and visible. Put on extra layers if you have them. Keep your phone charged and with you.

Who to call when your car is stuck in the snow

Call 911 if:

anyone is hurt, or might be
the vehicle is on its side or roof, or is partly in a traffic lane
you see smoke or fire, or smell fuel
another vehicle was involved and you need police
you feel unsafe for any reason, or you’re not sure

If police come to the scene and direct how your vehicle is moved, follow their instructions.

If nobody is hurt, the vehicle is clear of the lanes and you’re just stuck, call a tow company. You can call 911 first if you’re unsure. It’s better to ask than to guess.

How to get your car out of the snow (and when to stop)

If you’re stuck somewhere safe, away from traffic, you can often get yourself out.

Clear the snow from around the tires.
Give the drive wheels some grip. Put your floor mats, sand or kitty litter under the wheels that drive the car.
Rock it gently. Ease forward, then back, then forward again, with a light foot.

It’s tempting to floor it and hope. Usually that makes things worse. Spinning wheels polish snow into ice, dig the tires in deeper and can wear on your vehicle. If it doesn’t move after a few tries, stop and call for help.

Never try this on a highway shoulder next to traffic. Stay safe and call instead. And don’t ask passengers or passers-by to push from behind: standing behind a stuck vehicle beside traffic is dangerous for them.

What to have ready when you call

A few details help the dispatcher find you and give you a rough idea of the cost.

Where you are. An address, or the road, your direction of travel and the nearest exit or cross street. If you can see a sign or landmark, mention it.
How the vehicle is sitting. Nose first or sideways? A little off the shoulder, or well down the slope? Buried in snow, or on firm ground?
What you drive. Make, model, and whether it’s AWD or 4x4.
Any damage. Did you hit anything? Are there warning lights, leaks or a flat tire?
Whether police are on scene. Let the dispatcher know.
Where it should go if it can’t be driven. Home, your own mechanic or a body shop.

Before anything else happens, ask about the price. A reputable company will give you a rough idea on the phone and the price in writing before it starts. We text you the exact price before we start, and nothing happens until you say yes.

What a winch-out involves

A winch-out is how a vehicle gets pulled back onto the road when it can’t drive out by itself. Here’s what usually happens.

Setting up. The tow truck parks on solid ground, positioned so it can pull your vehicle back towards the road safely. On a busy highway, this is done with hazard lights on and as much space from traffic as possible.
Attaching the line. The operator attaches a winch line to a secure point on your vehicle. It’s important to use the right point, so the pull doesn’t damage bumpers or bodywork.
The pull. The winch draws the vehicle back slowly and under control. This is careful work, not a tug-of-war. The aim is to get the vehicle out without adding to the damage.
Once it’s out. If it can’t be driven safely, it can be towed to your mechanic or home.

If you hit something on the way in, see accident towing.

If it happens on the Anthony Henday

Anthony Henday Drive is a busy highway, so the first steps above matter even more there.

Stay put if traffic is close. If you can’t get well away from the lanes safely, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on and your hazard lights on.
Don’t try to dig or rock your way out beside highway traffic. Call instead.
Tell the dispatcher exactly where you are. Say “Anthony Henday Drive”, your direction of travel, and the nearest exit you passed or are approaching. If you can see a sign or landmark beside the road, mention it.
On a busy highway, the tow truck sets up with hazard lights on and as much space from traffic as possible.

After you’re out

Even if the vehicle drives, pay attention for the next few kilometres.

Does it pull to one side?
Is there a new vibration, noise or warning light?
Does the steering wheel sit straight when you’re driving straight?

If anything feels different, have a mechanic check it soon. A slide into a ditch can knock the alignment out or damage parts underneath, even when everything looks fine from the outside.

Be ready for next time

You can’t control the ice, but you can be prepared for it.

Keep a winter kit in the vehicle. Warm clothes, a blanket, gloves, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a phone charger and some snacks.
Slow down on ramps and curves. These are where grip often runs out first.
Leave more space. Stopping distances grow on snow and ice.
Keep your fuel up. A fuller tank means you can stay warm longer if you’re stuck.
Save a tow number in your phone. When you need it, you won’t want to be searching.

We work across Edmonton, including the Henday, 24 hours a day. If your car is stuck in the snow or a ditch, call us. You get the price in writing before we start, and we’ll get you back on the road.

Questions people ask

Who should I call when my car is stuck in the snow?

Call 911 if anyone is hurt, the vehicle is partly in a traffic lane, you see smoke or fire, or you smell fuel. If nobody is hurt, the vehicle is clear of the lanes and you're just stuck, call a tow company.

How do I get my car out of the snow?

Clear the snow from around the tires, put floor mats, sand or kitty litter under the drive wheels, and rock gently forward and back. Stop if it doesn't move after a few tries, and never try it on a highway shoulder next to traffic.

What does a winch-out involve?

The tow truck parks on solid ground, attaches a winch line to a secure point on your vehicle and draws it back slowly and under control. If it can't be driven safely once it's out, it can be towed to your mechanic or home.