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I should clarify...
Chains only required for 2-wheel drive vehicles without H rated tires or whatever they are (i.e. Blizzacks). And only required when it's a shit show out and the roads are covered, icy, and you're plowing through the ruts. It can still be rutted out without having bare asphalt. Precisely the conditions mulitple times last year that took people 6-8hrs to get back to Denver, not every time it snows a little or every time there's a chain restriction for commercial vehicles.
I saw an Accord with chains towing cars and small SUVs out of the gutter on the hill out of Silverthorne one icy morning last winter. It was badass to say the least!
They did a good job this week keeping it open during this pretty big event.
Sounds like it. Never made it up there since I was down in Pueblo for work. In the 4 days of snow did it close at all? If it did, I never heard about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by montanaskier
Try Silver Car, it is a new company that only rents silver audi a4's. It is pretty inexpensive and they rent out of DIA now. ONly aoubt 7 locations nationwide.Quote:
Now a question for the CO natives;
Why the hell is it so expensive to rent cars from DIA? We're talking extortion expensive! I saved $1000 last year on a week long rental by renting a compact car out of DIA for a day, driving to CO Springs and trading for a full-sized SUV for a week. That's $ saved over if I had kept the compact car out of DIA. Crazy.
WIth that said, have no idea how you guys do that drive. I was going to cape haterous about 1 months ago, driving from Basalt (aspen area) to dia (didnt fly out of aspen because of shit show at the airport.
Anyway, clear as day out and i 70 east bound was shut over Vail Pass. Was the first snow and it left about 2 inches on the ground. We saw the closure sign and went around, but WTF.
That road is such a disaster.
Yes, M + S stamp on a tire is an industry designation. Like self proclaiming you are the best skier on the mtn. Any tire can technically have this stamp. The only tires that should be referred to as snow tires by people on this site should be the one stamped with the mountain snow flake symbol as they actually have to go through standardized testing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Below Zero
The Oregon rule http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/chain-laws.asp requires even 4wd cars in certain posted conditions to carry chains in vehicle or have snow tires (mtn snow flake symbol). It is at least something, but rarely enforced.
I have never used chains and until a few years ago, never used dedicated snow tires, but as more people travel to the mountains, I think it would benefit all to have some rules in place that are actually enforced.
I get 30 or so days in a year at the local hill and when I was in colorado, more. There are very rare days that warrant a need/real want for snow tires for me, but more instances out here than in Colorado due to a lot of the snow falling at feezing level mixed with high winds glazing the surface. Plus a lot of off camber sections where traffic gets stopped. Dry snow in cold temps usually has the grip and 4wd/AWD is typically adequate in those situations. I would hate to put on chains. Went 20 plus years with no chains or dedicated snows in fact, just all-terrains, but the increase in grip is there with the blizzaks of the world and would help the jongs not cause accidents.
'Bama skier, as the thread starter, or a mod:
Can you add a poll to this thread? Anonymous, and allowing of multiple options if possible?
Such as:
In the winter, I roll with:
- AWD/4WD
-Snowflake tires
-All seasons
-Carry chains
-2WD and rally it like it's rented
Would be interested in what the active skier population actually runs, and the distribution.
In answer to the poll:
I have an old Jeep Cherokee with all weather Good Years, nothing special, but I don't let them get worn out either. Th Jeep is squirrelly as hell in 2WD and in 4WD is great. So far so good. I would like to have a set of chains just to have them, but have yet to pull the trigger.
4WD and all terrains.
might need to add a category for A/T tires for trucks. Not really the same as "all seasons" but not "snowflake" tires. I have not had true snow tires since i was driving my pos Ford Escort in the early 90s. But I feel pretty good running BFG A/Ts or something similar, even if they're not a snow tire.Quote:
Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark
That's good Makers, I was thinking the same thing...
FTR- 4WD Jeep with severe snow all terrains.
Must have been CDOTs fault.Quote:
Originally Posted by The SnowShow
FWIW, in Oregon I run dedicated snows (Michelin X-Ice3) on an Outback and Hankook ATs on a Tacoma. The last Tacoma we owned had BFG AT KO's and the Subaru with snows is 10 times more pleasant to drive and stops on a dime.
As noted, M+S rated all seasons are no where near rated snow tires. Apparently Colorado allows M+S rated tires to be used in place of chains?
Here is Oregon chain law: https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/chain-laws.asp
California is even more restrictive, even up to requiring chains on AWD vehicles?
Cool to see folks responding out in the open without the poll.
For the record (I hate acryonyms):
4wd, locked in the rear, posi up front, dedicated severe snows, and chains in the ready. Along with a lot of recovery gear.
But i'll admit, I've spent a lot of times unstucking and hosting people. I have my truck setup as a winter tank. Fuck the zombies.
I would like to see this poll go up though, because I know lotsa people run the margins, even those that head up the hills every other weekend. I'd like to see a fair distribution, that is why I said anonymous.
We all deal with shitty roads. Just trying to gauge how we could fit into the equation of the thread. Being honest.
If I were to guess there's:
22% with their car and their tires at the time. Roll with what I have.
44% with all seasons in their SUV or LT; Roll with what I have.
10% with rallying their FWD car with "decent" tires; I got a Subie/Audi, I got engineering;
5% with AWD and dedicated snows; I will get there and back with traction and grip. My spouse is bitching, I got shit to do!
2% ralling their car with studded snows; I am Mika Häkkinen- don't fuck with me!
0.5% with dedicated snow rigs. Yes, you plowers.
Dunfee? Can you poll it?
Commonlaw, any love for the commons'?
Splat, do you really drive a pink thunderbird?
Snow-tires with studs. Cuz why the fuck not.
Edit: Outback w/ Winter Claws ftr.
Just saw this, I'll see if I can edit and throw up a poll.
FWIW: outback with blizacks
Defender 110 with studded Hakkas
Old Porsche c4 with Hankook Ice Bear snows - this handles ice better than my D110 but struggles on unplowed roads over 8".
Only time I've been stuck was 2003 when we got 73" in 3 days and I tried to get out of my driveway w/o shoveling.
Outback, putting on some Michelin Xi3 dedicated snows in an hour or two. Had the xi2 on my last car and they were rad as it gets.
Tacoma w/ BFG A/T'S Drives great in snow.
Getting Blizzaks on the Outback this week.
legacy awd sedan with new tires
former
F350 4wd AT chains and sand tubes
Every single passenger vehicle heading up I-70 could have studded snows and it wouldn't matter, because there will always be the one truck that doesn't chain up and gets stuck and/or jack-knifes.
2002 Subaru WRX Wagon with Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. (yes, my spouse is bitching and I gots shits to do! ;))
AWD with snow tires.... I crush it. Passing people in the right lane is what I do!
^ the right lane on 70 is the passing lane, has been for years.
F150 4x4 w/ Hankook Dynapro AT. Most winter driving issues are due to the interface of the steering wheel and the seat.
Fwd sport wagon with dedicated blizzacks on their last season, currently at 60%.
Awd Outback with a/t tires. In college had fwd honda accord with studded snows and never had troubles
Quote:
Originally Posted by goldenboy
Sure it matters, somebody posted the figures last year, and like 80% of the wrecks or blocks are CO tagged cars.
Yes there will always be some truck wrecks, but there's no reason to have very many car wrecks.
04 wrx, past has been all seasons, just pick up some steelies couple weeks ago and mounting with dedicated snows next week end.
edit. all seasons have been gy assurance all season triple treds, actually a good tire in snow when not worn
Nissan Frontier 4x4 with, at the moment, unsatisfactory tires. Nokian Vatiivas, which were good not great when new, but are pretty worn. Haven't sprung for the new rubber yet because I'm likely selling the truck soon, and don't want to spend $700+ on tires that someone else will get to use. But right now I drive like I have shitty tires on, I'm not a dumbass.
4WD w/dedicated snows.
A/T was OK. Tires were predictable when new, but I went with snows to get as much stopping help as possible once I started towing a snowmo trailer.
Another semi closure on VP. Who woulda thought? Odds on chains?
Just took me an hour to get from Copper to East Vail.
I swear it was because of only a few assholes who refused to go over 10mph.
I've come to realize the WORST drivers out there are the ones who insist on keeping their hazards flashing.
People who throw their hazards on because it's snowing are universally terrible drivers, but at least they self-identify. Better than billy badass doing 70 on bald no-seasons causing a pileup.
'15 WRX
Just put on some GT Radial Champiro WinterPro HPs.
It came with nice sticky summer tires.
Actually hazards are super useful in a complete whiteout where you can barely see the end of your hood. Other than that, yeah.
Kinda like to be in Vail right now, but decided to sit out the 2014 Inaugural Amateur hour on 70.
I think you already missed the inauguration. You can listen in on the shitshowradio link I posted earlier and you'll get a great picture of what you are missing in chapter 2 of November.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rideski
Nah I'd rather make chili.
well saidQuote:
Originally Posted by Bean
I been schooling people on winter driving all week
got behind some clown today on a snowy white out road hazzards on all over the road, I goto pass and the dumb fuck tries to cut me off by going down the middle of the road, I laid on the horn and floored it hit the next turn got the bitch sideways and hit second got control then third and braaaappp 70mph passing semis on back road highways snowy and icy was super fun thur night
how many fucking people don't think to replace their wiper blades twice a year????? like before winter
Your dick must be fucking huge.Quote:
Originally Posted by fastfred