Colorado Highway 72 in the winter (Boulder, Coal Creek: neighborhood, school, live)

[dwwolnik]

Hello! We are looking to move to the Coal Creek area and I had a quick question about the condition of Highway 72 in the winter. Basically, is it passable for a FWD vehicle when it snows? The little lady doesn't have a 4WD or AWD car, and we're trying to decide if she would need to trade in her car and get one. I've got a 4x4 F-150 and a WRX, so I have no worries. Thanks all!

[TechMike]

The vast majority of days, yes, she will be fine with a FWD vehicle. For added peace of mind, get four snow tires. Tires are the most important thing for traction. If you don't get snow tires, at least make sure the all seasons have plenty of tread.

[reed303]

What TechMike said, plus, because "black ice" can be more of a problem than just snow, if she can afford it, consider getting "Blizzak"-type winter tires on new rims. Then swap them over each spring and fall with the tires that are on car now.

[Neditate]

Hwy 72 is plowed and maintained well since it is a school bus route. Doubtful that there would be much driving in deep snow unless a 3' snowfall occurs in a short period of time and plows can't keep up. The "little lady" probably wouldn't be driving anywhere in that anyway!
Agree with others - 4wd is not "necessary" but snow tires are a good idea. We put our winter tires on in late October and take them off in May. We live up Boulder Canyon and we don't need them for the canyon, we need them to get up our driveway. However, some friends and neighbors we know get by with all season tires.
Also, studded tires are not necessary - get Blizzaks as reed303 suggested.

[livethedream3]

I have lived in Coal Creek Canyon for one winter. My wife and I both use 72 every weekday to commute to work. Highway 72 is plowed and maintained well. Also, depending on how far you live up the canyon, there are no steep stretches of road combined with hairpin turns so you can always keep momentum. Furthermore, my neighborhood is well plowed due to CCC K-8 School nearby.

I survived this first winter with a FWD manual transmission Elantra without replacing the stock "summer" tires. This car is known not to handle well in snow with the stock hard rubber tires (going for best MPG rather than winter performance). Taking it slow on 72 and keeping momentum up hills in our neighborhood, I made it to/from work everyday. I will get snow tires though for next year for added safety.

My wife has a FWD Mercury Mariner. She did not feel safe with the all season tires and did get stuck on a plowed (but thick layer of ice) steep hill in our neighborhood (not on 72). We got her 4 winter tires which made a big difference, and she was good for the rest of the season.

Everyone's winter driving ability is different, but a FWD with snow tires should work well in this canyon.