Relocating to severe winters: winter tips and emergency practice for a FWD sedan

[Layla.L]

I'm relocating from a warm climate to an area with serious winters for a new job, and I'll be driving my front-wheel-drive sedan, which has all-season tires but no real winter driving experience behind the wheel. I'm investing in a proper set of winter tires, but I know the tires are only part of the equation, and I'm anxious about handling black ice, steep hills, and reduced visibility during my commute. Beyond the tires, what are the most crucial winter driving tips for a newcomer to truly hazardous conditions? How do you properly practice emergency maneuvers like braking and skid recovery in a safe, controlled environment, and what essential gear beyond a scraper and shovel should I always keep in the car for unexpected situations like getting stuck in a snowdrift off the main road?