Trip from Miami to Vail CO november 15 to 22, please HELP!! (Denver: ski resorts, rental)

[mavalerop]

Hi, i live in Miami, Florida and i am planning to go to Vail between November 15 thru 22nd, i am planning to rent an SUV in Denver and drive to Vail, but i have never drive in snow. Do you ussually have snow at that time of the year?, should i buy snow boots ?, the sky resorts are ussually open by those days?. Thanks.

[jazzlover]

Maybe.
Maybe.
Maybe.

Will their be snow on the passes on Thanksgiving weekend? While it's not yet the heavy part of the snow season (that usually doesn't really come until after Christmas most years), there is a good possibility of snow, maybe heavy, on Thanksgiving weekend. Years ago, when I had to drive back and forth across Colorado frequently, I hit nasty winter weather on Thanksgiving weekends four years in a row. This year? Who knows? All I can say is if you haven't driven in snow before, driving on I-70 in bad winter driving conditions is a p***-poor place to learn.

I carry Sorel snow boots in my vehicle, and a winter survival kit, from the end of October until the middle of May whenever I am traveling in the mountains of Colorado (and anywhere in Wyoming when I'm up there). I've hit rotten winter weather in the Colorado high country as early as mid-September and as late as Memorial Day weekend. One of the most miserable winter weather driving episodes I ever had in Colorado was one year on the 19th of September--two days before the end of summer!

In most years, the ski resorts are open by Thanksgiving, though it may be with mostly artificial snow. Notwithstanding the early snowstorms that I have just described, November and December are not the big snow months in Colorado. Those don't usually come until after Christmas, and in many places the heaviest snow comes from mid-February through mid-April.

[breaksraver13]

They were requiring chains just this weekend 15 min from my house on Loveland Pass due to the snow, and its August.........so to answer your question you never know here.

[esya]

I can't imagine why you would drive an SUV if you can get public transportation. The ride will be hell for you if it snows, if you are not experienced the SUV does nothing for you.

[wanneroo]

I lived many years in Vail and November can be weird. Some years we've been pummeled with snow everyday around Thanksgiving and other years are quiet. In any case, winter has definitely arrived by November. The interstate can be tricky at that time of due to closer temperatures to freezing which means slicker and more dangerous roads if the weather is bad. I don't recommend SUV's or 4x4s to anyone who has never driven in snow. They have a higher center of gravity and the 4x4 system can flip a vehicle by putting power to the wrong tire at the wrong time in a skid.

Vail usually tries to open around Veteran's Day or the week after if necessary.

[beverly morris]

My family and I are going to Springboat Co from Houston for the 1st time. Can't get flights to high for 6 of us to travel, so we're driving what type of rental should we get to drive there withthe weather conditions there. Dates are Nov 21-24th.

[SheridanL]

I think you mean Steamboat Springs Co.....am I right?
Anyway, I would say with 6 of you, an SUV type of vehicle would be fine. Enjoy and, stay safe!

[FL resident]

Does Vail ski resort make snow? We're coming for the Thanksgiving weekend and want to ski but don't want to travel to Loveland to ski.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by FL resident

Does Vail ski resort make snow? We're coming for the Thanksgiving weekend and want to ski but don't want to travel to Loveland to ski.

Vail has snowmaking on major routes on the mountain. The weather has been cold enough lately for them to do so and work on building up a "base" for the natural snow which we all hope will fall in adequate quantities for the mountain's early season skiing. You'll be able to ski Vail this Thanksgiving, although how much of the mountain will be open remains to be seen. It only takes one or two good snowstorms to come through and it can be fairly decent for early season skiing ....