paappraiser Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hi everyone sorry about this stupid question. Im used to the east coast snow and how the roads basically shut down with 3 inches of snow. Im supposed to be flying into denver to go to vail on 1/26. We have a rental car (front wheel drive thing) to drive around, is there going to be much of a problem getting to the mountains on monday. The weather channel says 3-6 inches or so. The Only other time I was in CO it didnt snow for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Im supposed to be flying into denver to go to vail on 1/26. We have a rental car (front wheel drive thing) to drive around, is there going to be much of a problem getting to the mountains on monday. The weather channel says 3-6 inches or so. No, just don't drive like a dumba$$ like most of the people out here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 And you might want to consider upgrading the front wheel drive rental to AWD/4WD. Not completely necessary, but may make you feel safer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiveBomber Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 took me almost 4 hrs to get back to denver last night, tires (and weight distrubution) are more important that drivetrain lay out. just ask both the camaro and the x3 that were having trouble. (not to mention the total prick in the escalade, I was hoping heck wrecked it!) snow isnt as bad as ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted January 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 took me almost 4 hrs to get back to denver last night, tires (and weight distrubution) are more important that drivetrain lay out. just ask both the camaro and the x3 that were having trouble. (not to mention the total prick in the escalade, I was hoping heck wrecked it!)snow isnt as bad as ice. Ice Blows, Im used to that crap living here in the east coast.. Ok Im just asking because Im very good at snow driving, just here in the east they really suck at plowing etc. Im sure they are professionals there :o Im cool with the front wheeled car in the snow.. If we can get a upgrade ill go that route. Just worried about making up the hills etc.. You guys/gals are awesome for answering my silly questions.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Just worried about making up the hills etc.. they'll close the roads before they get that bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carvedog Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Going to Vail you have the interstate from Denver I think. Getting over the pass I am sure is challenging at times. In town proper, if it is anything like Ketchum, they are really good about removing snow unless it starts dumping hard late afternoon/early evening. They might not get the crews out again until late that night or early in the morning, but as long as you are kind of smart about it not too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted January 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 they'll close the roads before they get that bad Dare I ask.. how much does it have to drop before they close the roads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 took me almost 4 hrs to get back to denver last night, tires (and weight distrubution) are more important that drivetrain lay out. just ask both the camaro and the x3 that were having trouble. (not to mention the total prick in the escalade, I was hoping heck wrecked it!)snow isnt as bad as ice. yup, and thats why you want front wheel drive! weight over the tires and also it's nice to have the tires that help you turn being the ones getting power. much easier to cut it and mat it when you need to where rwd would put you more sideway when you give it power in a turn. like ripping a ebrake turn! some of the front where drive small cars I've driven outperform the vast majority of AWD rides in snow and ice. in CO the roads tend to be clean, not like driving in norther new england at all. unless there['s a storm happening right at the moment you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiveBomber Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 yup, and thats why you want front wheel drive!weight over the tires and also it's nice to have the tires that help you turn being the ones getting power. much easier to cut it and mat it when you need to where rwd would put you more sideway when you give it power in a turn. like ripping a ebrake turn! some of the front where drive small cars I've driven outperform the vast majority of AWD rides in snow and ice. in CO the roads tend to be clean, not like driving in norther new england at all. unless there['s a storm happening right at the moment you'll be fine. I actually do pretty well with RWD 50/50 balance and Hakkepelitas(and traction control), while the X3 was just spining all 4 wheels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp1 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Like said above, do yourself a favor and upgrade to 4 wheel drive WITH Snow Tires. It's been years ago, but the last time we went out, they had Road Checks at the base of some of the 'Bigger Hills' (Man they've got some 'real mountains' out there )! If you had 4 WD with Snow Tires you were OK. If not, you were not allowed to go any further UNTIL you had Chains on :(! Man it had been 20 years since I seen or heard anything with Chains on. If you want to spend your time riding, go with the 4WD & Snows, If you want to spend your time putting chains on (or paying someone a couple of Bucks to do it) go without. JMO from experience. Enjoy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelsch42 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 JP1: It is exceedingly rare that passenger vehicles are required to chain up or have snow tires anywhere along the DIA to Vail route. During storms commercial vehicles (semi's) are often required to chain up over Vail pass, or the divide/tunnel, or Loveland pass. Roads will be closed before chains are required for passenger vehicles along this route. OP: You'll be fine with a FWD car, as long as the tires are fairly fresh. Driving smart and safely will get you there no matter the vehicle - in all but the most terrible conditions. If the conditions do predicate a 4wd vehicle (it's nuking out) and you're not practiced at driving in the mountains, you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. twelsch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Donnelly Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Take your time . . . make sure your windshield washer fluid is full and operational. One time I thought I was good but once we got up in the mountains and below freezing the fluid froze. On I-70, CO snow plows throw a lot of cinders down on ice which can and do break windshields - check for possible windshield damage before you sign the check off agreement as you are exiting the rental lot. If given the choice, select a vehicle with a chipped or cracked windshield and note this on the agreement then if the windshield crack expands you are not liable to replace. Good idea to walk around the entire vehicle and have the clerk note any concerns. You can re-fuel upon return at the airport, you will pass the service station as you are leaving the rental area. Check out Beaver Creek while you are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Dare I ask.. how much does it have to drop before they close the roads? there is no one answer... ice is generally more of the issue. since snow is in the forecast, they will be working it. they generally jump on the roads as soon as it starts. the delays last night were due to numerous accidents which eventually resulted in the interstate being closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdifan_2003 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm just jelous . VAIL............fresh snow...... Have fun :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostertwo Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 ... We have a rental car (front wheel drive thing) to drive around, is there going to be much of a problem getting to the mountains on monday. The weather channel says 3-6 inches or so.The Colorado Department of Transportation does a good job keeping I-70 clear, even in a storm. If it's dumping a 4X4 is a better choice on the passes. <img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/34qjwcg.jpg" border="0" alt="Thom Gruhler, Mongolia Bowl, Vail, CO."> Good snow today and more on the way. Look forward to an excellent vacation! Cheers, B-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ak_rider Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Dare I ask.. how much does it have to drop before they close the roads? from my experience living in CO they close the roads when too many idiots slide off or crash, so just hope people aren't being stupid that day and you'll have no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor VonRippington Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 My .02 I rented a car for getting to various resorts when mine broke down last season. I think they gave me a Camry which had front wheel drive. I will NEVER rent anything other than a 4WD again... FrontWD was a pain in the ass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik J Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I lived in CO for 2 years with a rear wheel drive 1973 Ford LTD. I made it over every mountain I needed to. I put chains on once over Wolf Creek pass, other than that I did fine. ....But I love driving in the snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 from my experience living in CO they close the roads when too many idiots slide off or crash, so just hope people aren't being stupid that day and you'll have no problems. On the way to lovey this am, less than an inch of new, one pathfinder on its roof and one fourunner with bent rims on the passenger side. The only thing that kept it from rolling was the rock wall it slid into. Once saw 3 jeep liberty's on their roofs between the tunnel and Georgetown. Slow down and be safe and all will be fine. mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 one question, can you drive the back roads of VT in the winter? if the answer is yes then you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackDan Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 if you can drive on snow out east you should be generally OK. The FWD car will do fine, driven one of those around wisconsin winters with 12" of snow on the roads and had minimal problems. but we were also going slow. But what your probably not used to is the steepness of the roads in the mountains. So get chains for the car, the rental company will have them. And learn how to put htem on and take them off a couple times. Your drivers floor mat makes a nice thing to kneel on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 I've lived in Colorado most of my life and I've never owned a 4wd. Good tires and good driving skills are what is most important. Long before 4WD will do you any good, you'll be stuck behind miles of traffic of people with bad tires and bad driving skills. The commercials showing SUVs blasting through snow banks are a way to sell 4WD. I've never seen where that did anyone any good in real life. What usually happens on I-70 is people with 4WD think they are invincible, get going too fast for conditions and wind up upside down on the side of the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdifan_2003 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 FWD, Jetta TDI, stick shift -- :AR15firin:AR15firin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dold Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 How do you know what good tires are? Other than looking for the M+S which doesn't mean too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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