Flying south through smoky skies down the famous Malibu coast, at first the burnt-out mansions are the exception -- solitary wrecks, smoldering away between rows of intact, gleaming beachfront villas.Where row upon row of family homes once stood, all that remain are occasional chimneys, blackened tree stumps and charred timber.

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. Pour sand, cat litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

Though driving in the snow should be avoided if at all possible, here's what to know when there's no other choice.