Advice Post - 4WD car necessary for weekend skiing trip or nay?

Submitted by 3-celled-noggin t3_10mlnf2 in vermont

Hello VT people! My buddies and I are going skiing in Killington but staying in a hotel in Rutland exactly 7 days from now. Arriving Feb 3 and leaving Feb 6th, going up/down the east cost from the DMV region.

Our group is basically 50/50 split on whether we should rent a 4WD SUV versus taking my buddies FWD sedan which is better on gas. Looks like theres snow this weekend, but as of now next weekend is forecasted clear.

What do the locals think? Since we’ll be taking mainly main roads to Rutland and relying on the public bus to get to Killington, y’all think spending the cash on a rental is totally necessary?

(for the record, im one of the guys who is for renting. Some other dude’s are trying to save money)

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HappilyhiketheHump t1_j63nruf wrote

No need. Either vehicle without snow tires is essentially the same on a paved main road.

Traction control in a newer FWD sedan is all you need if you slow down and drive with road conditions in mind.

Have a great trip!

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3-celled-noggin OP t1_j63nwil wrote

Thanks for the reply. If the forecast changes and it’s actively snowing would that change anything?

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PM_ME_UR_BGP_PREFIX t1_j66i58m wrote

If it’s REALLY bad, don’t go out on the road and put everyone else in danger

It’s better to be at the hotel wishing you on the road, than to be on the road wishing you were at the hotel.

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alunnatic t1_j63rltq wrote

It'll get nasty at the top of rt 4 and the top of the access road during a storm. I probably wouldn't worry at all if the forecast is less than a few inches. If you plan on taking the bus during a storm I wouldn't worry.

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dmccullum t1_j63rt2p wrote

No, all cars have four wheel brakes. The real issue is braking control, which AWD will not help with—only snow tires or chains would make a difference in that scenario. Just drive carefully and slowly if it's snowing and realize you won't have traction at stops and corners.

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Coachtzu t1_j63nuww wrote

You don't need a 4WD SUV, not like you're going up a logging road. Your buddy's car will probably cut it as long as he has good winter tires and you're used to driving in some snowy/icy conditions. The Killington access road is all paved and in good shape usually. Can be steep in spots, so if it's slick out, the tires and familiarity with driving in those conditions will be helpful.

Otherwise I'd suggest getting whatever AWD/4WD with good snow tires you can.

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Fantastic_Painter_15 t1_j63ogbn wrote

OP said they’d be taking the bus from Rutland up to Killi.

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3-celled-noggin OP t1_j63pi4u wrote

Yeah there’s a $2 bus that’s right across the street. “the Bus” I believe.

Anyone know if Skis/gear are allowed on those?

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devkim33 t1_j63vtlm wrote

Free! Thank you COVID relief

Yes “The Bus” definitely allows skiing equipment. Sometimes it’s pretty busy in mornings, but peak times they will have two running.

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advamputee t1_j6g4gwg wrote

The bus is free to Killington. And yes, ski gear is allowed — but it can get a little packed on a few of the busses. Definitely the best way up the hill on a busy weekend, parking can be a nightmare.

Like others said, you don’t need a 4WD SUV and most rentals will be on shitty tires. I commute up the mountain in a Prius on snow tires without issue. The pass can get a little icy and the top of the access road gets a bit snowy, but the route is generally clear within a day of a heavy storm.

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swarm32 t1_j63qfw8 wrote

The SUV you might rent may have WORSE performance in the snow that your buddy’s sedan due to the hard wearing “””all seasons””” that are typically on rental vehicles.

If you’re really concerned/going to make a lot of trips up, look into a decent set of proper winter tires for the sedan. The kind with three peaks for severe mud & snow. Otherwise, as long as your buddy isn’t the type to run past the wear bars on their all seasons, just be careful and don’t drive if you don’t have to.

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mcnut14 t1_j64jye0 wrote

Its not the type vehicle, it's the tires. You want snow tires, not all seasons.

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VegetableBeneficial t1_j63pcnx wrote

If you're taking main roads, you're probably fine. If you want to break off onto dirt roads/backroads, 4WD would be a good idea but you'll likely be okay without it. Basically, if you don't have plans to drive around the backwoods of Vermont, you can skip it.

Have fun! Check out some local beers too, if you can :) Great breweries and great food up in VT

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3-celled-noggin OP t1_j63pmvl wrote

Nah just going straight to the hotel in Rutland basically. Using The Bus to get to Killington and might drive around Rutland for rentals and food clearly.

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PuddleCrank t1_j63r1my wrote

Rutland's pretty easy to get to. You should be fine.

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Biauralbeats t1_j63psdp wrote

Depends. Even main roads can be tricky in mountain areas. On the low side, roads are clean and clear, but as you elevate you get snow bursts and clusters of bad roads, black ice and slush.

It isn't exactly a urban area either- things are spread apart. I am not sure the public bus is going to get you where you want to go at all times.

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3-celled-noggin OP t1_j63pxdw wrote

The Bus is just for getting us to Killington. It’s a specific Rutland-Killi route so I hope it’s reliable??

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Biauralbeats t1_j63q6xh wrote

I see, and the friend with the FWD is doing the restaurant and shops driving?

I agree with others that if you have snow tires and as long as the driver is prepared for sudden changes on the roads, you should be fine. Personally, I am paranoid about snow driving and have a 4wd- but that is just me.

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3-celled-noggin OP t1_j63qbum wrote

Right. He says he’s driven that car in some pretty bad snow conditions and I’m also a good driver in snow. Just gonna come down to the tires I guess.

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GrilledSpamSteaks t1_j63s209 wrote

State highway are pretty clear, usually. So far, its forecasted snow on the 5th and 6th. It’s also supposed to be freaking cold vs just cold (below zero=freaking cold to me). You’ll also want to check the resort for the weather at their elevation. It can be very very different. For instance the weather channel puts the town at 30F and clear but the resort is saying 16F with 7” of snow expected.

If you get caught out driving when it snows, don’t be the fastest guy on the road and don’t be afraid to drive 20mph. Swing by a local grocery store and get a box of cheap kitty litter just in case you get stuck. Google how to use it to get unstuck before you need to cause cell service in the mountains not only sucks, it sucks based on who your service provider is.

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3-celled-noggin OP t1_j63s8kt wrote

This advice applies to Killington specifically or Rutland region in general?

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GrilledSpamSteaks t1_j63vhcq wrote

The weather on the west side of the mountains (Rutland) can be quite different from the east side (Killington). Route 4 is the main artery between the two, and is usually well maintained, but it is a mountain pass so it can get… interesting. It’s not the Rockies or the Alps where its jungle on onside and tundra on the other separated by several 8000 foot tall hills, but it is something to be aware of. If you just look at the forecast for Rutland, you have an excellent chance of being surprised when you get up to Killington.

“Have it and not need it” isn’t a horrible plan, and there’s bound to be someone at your hotel who has cats and would buy a box of litter for 1/2 price. Do you need to buy blankets, collapsible shovels, road flares, cases of water, freeze dried food and flashlights? Not unless you plan on exploring fire and logging roads.

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CTdadof5 t1_j63vlvf wrote

If your bud has good (new all season or snow) tires and you are not heading up the mountain you will be fine.

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MarkVII88 t1_j6456r3 wrote

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/z0o1c1/another_post_about_snow_tires/

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/i18udp/how_important_is_4wd_in_vt/

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/zp0dtj/snow_tires/

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/zn2c99/winter_tire_suggestions/

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/t11ayg/rwd_driving_in_vt/

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/comments/wi0qhq/for_those_driving_in_winter_whats_that_like/

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kittybellyfulloflies t1_j68dexo wrote

You're going to see a lot of conflicting answers here. I know plenty of locals who can't afford snow tires this year/still heading to work like normal. Smart? No. Advisable? No. But it's possible. I think the most important variable is, have you driven in snow before? If you haven't, I wouldnt risk it and use snow tires. These locals I know who have been risking it with summer tires have lived here their whole lives and know how to drive in snow. I'm not saying that makes it less dangerous.... Just more predictable in how to drive/handle numerous skids.

Can you rent a car with snow tires?

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hagemeyp t1_j6d5j0p wrote

You’ll be fine. Just don’t drive like an ass.

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[deleted] t1_j63oj0o wrote

All the people telling you that you need a 4wd with snow tires are playing a joke on you. Imagine you going through all that (how do you even rent a car with snow tires?) and being in a traffic jam in fucking rutland next to people with balding all season tires on mercury cougars from the late 90s.

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