Colorado winters. (living, commute, nurses)

[COflower]

Ryan - Sweetie - I don't take my Honda places it should go to. It's called common sense.

When I had my Chevy with a 454, 4x4 truck I would take it anywhere so you are missing the point. You don't need a four wheel drive with big a$$ tires to get around the majority of Colorado. I've been on both sides of the tracks.

If you need chains, you get them for your travels but for 98% of the population, people can do very well with a front wheel drive vehicle in this state.

[ryanek9freak]

Like I said, i'm sure you have common sense. You seem like a smart girl.

[Katiana]

This conversation seems to have veered into off-roading. For regular driving, in the mountains and in Denver, a "normal" car will do just fine. There are enough of us here on this board who can attest to that. 4WD is nice, and if you are replacing a car, it's something to consider. But it is not necessary to buy a new car to move out there.

[esya]

My favorite job was when I lived outside of Evergreen in Indian Hills but my boss lived on the far high end of Brook Forest Road, probably in Clear Creek County. If I could not get out of the driveway she could not for sure. So that was several days in a snowy winter. But if you live uphill, you can usually get to work given enough time. If there is a snowstorm while you are at work, getting home can be tougher.

Now, in Denver, I can just take the bus even if I don't want to shovel out my alley drive.

[Ticky909]

on an avg year, (back to the topic, ruining all my fun), i'd expect about 2-4 days of work missed directly connected to winter weather, a few late days - that or having to get up early in preparation. And maybe miss another 2 indirectly connected to winter, flu - destroying your back attempting to shovel snow - falling asleep forgetting to light the pilot light - forgetting I-25 is closed - fogetting what day of the week it is from poor household ventilation and backdraft from the fireplace, the list goes on and on. My suggestion is just to leave early, and maybe take the bus- thats generally pretty reliable, though it does slow down in the winter.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Ticky909

on an avg year, (back to the topic, ruining all my fun), i'd expect about 2-4 days of work missed directly connected to winter weather, a few late days - that or having to get up early in preparation. And maybe miss another 2 indirectly connected to winter, flu - destroying your back attempting to shovel snow - falling asleep forgetting to light the pilot light - forgetting I-25 is closed - fogetting what day of the week it is from poor household ventilation and backdraft from the fireplace, the list goes on and on. My suggestion is just to leave early, and maybe take the bus- thats generally pretty reliable, though it does slow down in the winter.

Really? Maybe it's because I work in a dr's office, but we have only closed once in the four years I've worked there; in my previous jobs we hardly ever had a snow day; my kids didn't even have a snow day once a year from 1989 to 2005 in the Boulder Valley schools.

[Ticky909]

Maybe I'm just thinking of the recent blizzards and my minds clouded. The way you get to work might also change this. If you work within the community you live, you will rarely miss a day of work, maybe once every few years. If you commute a good distance, maybe a day. Driving versus public transport, working in the city versus working somewhere else, mountains -> denver, etc. Theres alot of factors. Theres a priority on the roadways, so your location in relation to major roadways could have an effect on your ability to get to work. On a yearly average, it's really not an issue so I wouldn't worry about having snowshoes and a distress beacon in your car or anything. complete state average I think would be about 2 days though, since some people live further out and commute in.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

4 wheel drive is dangerous on ice, especially a manual trans. Best ice setup is front wheel drive with studs if legal. I moved from CO cause I just couldn't do the winters any more. Hello CA

[Ticky909]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

4 wheel drive is dangerous on ice, especially a manual trans. Best ice setup is front wheel drive with studs if legal. I moved from CO cause I just couldn't do the winters any more. Hello CA

I'd agree with that. Though i've always just had a manual just because it gives you more control over the car. Theres no traction increase over the same model with an automatic, though if used correctly a manual saves fuel, allows you to control your rpm's for different situations. Once the front wheel drive car stops though in a bit of a lull, it's hard to get it going again. In terms of traction on ice, front is probably best, though the front's traction might send the back around which is a bit harder to throttle steer out of.

[spoiledali]

hi,

I doubt that will happen very often, but, and this is just my honest opinion,
If you live in Colorado, especially higher elevations, and you don't own anything with either 4 or all wheel drive, You should have your head examined.
I've been here only one winter so far (last), and from what folks have told me it was pretty average.
I can relate, even in the metro area. I'll admit I took one "snow day" this last winter...but because I have short tolerance for a 30 minute commute taking four hours.

tnkx