Driving to Vale from Denver International
 

I'll be arriving in Denver Monday afternoon. I've never driven in snow. Is this going to be risky or will I not know until I arrive and see the weather?

The interstate is kept in good condition. If it is open, just take it easy and it will be fine. If it is closed--then you know to wait until it is open.

If you are frightened about driving in the snow, there are also shuttles to Vail.

The are kept clean and there should be no problem. What ever YOU do, do not get a four wheel drive vehicle. You are actually safer with a standard front wheel drive especially if it has traction control. Ask the rental company if it has traction control (generally just a button) and learn how to turn it on.

What has changed? I just realized you asked the same question with basically the same responses in Oct. So far no snow in the forecast for this weekend.

@fmpden - Yes, same question. Not much has changed, just wanted to know for sure before proceeding. I've got a Buick rented and will drive myself. Thanks for all your input, it has helped!!

If you know how to drive one, an all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel drive vehicle is a big help if snow is deep on side roads, etc. Sometimes the extra road clearance keeps you from getting stuck.

Just remember that ice is a problem for any car, so don't expect AWD or 4WD to grip much better than a front-wheel-drive. But if you're on snowy roads, I recommend one.

Halfduplex stated, "I've never driven in snow." And driving straight to Vail so doubt if deep snow on side roads will be a problem. So my original comment about staying away from four wheel drive is valid.

OP did not state "have never driven an SUV", which was my point.

Anyone knows that driving "straight to" anywhere in Colorado in snow season can be wishful thinking! haha
Even going to your lodging or the grocery store, the side roads can be iffy. That is why we drive vehicles with AWD and extra road clearance.

PS It's snowing in Denver right now.

Driving a SUV on a dry road or in sand is worlds apart from driving on snow and ice. So I don't know how OP would have learned to drive a SUV on ice and snow even if he/she had previous drive SUVs.

Since you live in Denver do you remember the article in the Denver Post a year or so ago about the high percentage of SUVs (generic for 4 wheel and all wheel drive) involved in winter accidents? The percentage of SUVs involved was significantly higher than number of registered SUVs in the state. And, second, the high number of rental SUVs that were involved in both accidents and just leaving the road in the I-70 corridor. A major factor contribution to the high rental fees for SUVs at DIA.

A SUV on icy roads in the hands of an inexperienced driver is an accident waiting to happen.

Do I have to stop this car!! LOL

And yes, the pick-em-up trucks in Denver drive like they can stop on a dime in the snow and ice.

I can and it is your dime.

Well, this is surely taking the OP into another whole arena.

"Pick-em-up" trucks, if you mean pick-up trucks, are the worst in the snow. Why are they even mentioned here?

The high percentage of rental SUVs in winter accidents is commonly recognized. I believe that is because people who aren't familiar with driving in snow think they are invincible in an SUV, and they take risks they wouldn't if they were driving a sedan. (Please see my points above about driving on ice.)

I contend that ANY vehicle on ice is a disaster waiting to happen, especially if the driver is unfamiliar with the car and winter storm driving.

In our experience of driving everywhere in Colorado for many, many years, and over Berthoud Pass several times a month all year-round, we have owned front-wheel and AWD. Front-wheel is fine most of the time, but in really bad slippery conditions, you can 'lose' the back end of the car going around a curve. That never happens in our AWDs.

A large front-wheel-drive Buick sedan would not be my preference.

OP must be in Vail already; maybe he'll let us know how he got there.

Gretchen, doesn't look like Tabernash2 understands southern or NC slang.

You know, there's really no need to take this to a personal level, fmpden. Give your own advice and stop trashing what I say.

BTW, in the Midwest, "pick-em-up truck" meant a pick-up truck.