Driving to Whistler

[Leechiro]

Would I be safe to drive my b7 up to Whistler in Dec or January in the snow? I have Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires. Ive never driven in snow with this car before. Thanks in advance

[drkenan]

If I were you, I'd get a little experience under my belt first. I've only been in the summer but the sea to sky hwy would be tricky to navigate in a big storm. They probably keep it very clear though. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it in almost all weather conditions in my car (or yours).

[Leechiro]

so you dont think specific snow tires or chains are necessary? i dont mind taking it slow up there with just tires, i just want to make sure i can do it safely

[drkenan]

so you dont think specific snow tires or chains are necessary? i dont mind taking it slow up there with just tires, i just want to make sure i can do it safely

I've never had trouble driving in snow here in NC but we don't get 345 inches annually!

[brucebanner]

They salt the roads and clean them well in bc, I'm sure you'll be fine

[Tugboatguy]

You shouldn't have a problem with the going to Whistler, it's a major tourist destination. They keep the hwy in good condition during the winter so the tourists in their crappy rental cars can make it up:) Your quattro and DWS tires should be fine.
And you can check the "Sea to Sky Hwy" road conditions here: http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/index-LowerMainland.html

[Leechiro]

thanks Tug. I will be going up mid Dec. Is there even snow up to the Village that early?

[titikaka]

yea, you will not have a problem , but If I was you deff will get some experience first under snow conditions... :)

[Leechiro]

I guess I can drive up Mt Rainier to practice in the snow. I may not have a problem as Ive read that the village may not have snow by mid-Dec, is that true? I was hoping for a white winter wonderland up there. Maybe Ill have to go back in Feb.

[AvantinUSP]

I go every year, it's not a big deal. the highway is cleared well and there really isn't anything until you get to the village. only issues are usually the driveways after a day of snow.

[butter180]

I have never been up there in dec. Only in Januaray march and april and the roads have always been clear.

[PDX04a4]

lol, you'll be fine. i have the contiextreme contacts and mob it up to mt hood a lot during the winters. of course having no snow experience could be detrimental, i grew up in salt lake and have driven in horrible snow conditions all my life so that helps. i would definitely try and get some snow driving experience, especially in a car. i have driven in white out snow storms in a ford explorer (my first car), a tahoe (dads truck), a pontiac grand prix (moms car) and my audi over the last 9 years, the audi has BY FAR the best handling out of all of them. i enjoy driving in shitty snow conditions to be honest, its fun to try new things as long as you dont do stupid 16 year old high school shit and wreck your car.

as for whistler, there may not even be low elevation snow in december and honestly they do a good job keeping the road clear so you should be good to go. in february it'll be a different story probably, much higher chance of low elevation snow and more hazardous roads.

be safe, have fun!

[Tugboatguy]

First snowfall in the village vary's from year to year, the village is only a little over 2,200 ft and the highest lift goes to over 7,400 ft. It can be raining in the village and powder on the hill:) Seriously unless we get the freak snow storm of the century I doubt you'll have much problem, you have descent tires and Quattro.