what are the minimum requirements for a car in a ski town?

[yinc]

Hi all. I'm looking to move to a ski town, but since I don't own a vehicle, I will need to acquire one.

What do you guys consider the minimum feature set for a car in the mountains while snowboarding/skiing?

AWD/4WD
Roof rack
enough trunk space for gear

What about a truck vs suv?

[yinc]

I think I tried to use a specific car automaker only to find out it is banned

[Meadow Skipper]

You're gonna be hating life if you don't show up with at least a Porsche Cayenne.

[54-46]

Runs
Heater
Defroster

[XavierD]

Runs
Heater
Defroster

Four wheels, a steering wheel and a competent driver are nice too.

yinc, my car for along time was a 1990 Toyota Camery with old snow tires. No roof rack, no AWD. We would put the skis going from the front passenger foot well towards the back left seat, often rubbing the driver's shoulder.

Never got stuck, never slid out. Regularly drove past SUVs, Audis and Subies in the snow bank or ditch that throught their AWD was a get out of jail free card.

[WAlove]

Njjjjjjj

[PNWbrit]

Right way up

[yinc]

You're gonna be hating life if you don't show up with at least a Porsche Cayenne.

i've already emailed the dealer

[XXX-er]

starts in cold weather, doesn't break down, doesn't use too much gas, doesn't get stuck

[the_flying_v]

A pick up with a canopy. Plenty of room for gear, your beers will stay cold AND you can live back there.

[Shredhead]

Runs
Heater
Defroster

Some ground clearance is nice.
4wd Pickup would be ideal.

[DropCliffsNotBombs]

If you truly live in a ski town, you won't need a car to get around.
Use your bike (or just walk) to get around town, to work, and to the ski lifts.
That's what I do.

Cars are only for road trips...

[Meadow Skipper]

If you truly live in a ski town, you won't need a car to get around.
Use your bike (or just walk) to get around town, to work, and to the ski lifts.
That's what I do.

Cars are only for road trips...

Not all 'ski towns.' The guy's looking to live in Jackson (different thread). No vehicle there would kind of suck. You could do it, but you'd miss out on a lot of things other than lift-served skiing.

yinc, good move on the Cayenne, and don't fall for a Taureg, chicks can tell the difference.

[RShea]

Mechanically sound, 4 wheels with tires good enough to keep you from getting stuck, battery strong enough to start it up, hopefully big enough to fit the # of skiers and gear in your group, heater, anything more than that is a bonus like outside temperature, working radio, etc.

[whyturn]

Cheap and a Subaru

[Shredhead]

I had a Suby once, but was always fucking it up in the summer trying to 4wd something it wasn't made to do. I was up at Ruby last weekend the there was one with the oil pan leaking all over the place.
I bet he paid dearly to get towed out of there.

If the OP's moving to Jackson, he needs a PU to live in and he's not getting laid there.


I'm with DCNB. I want to park it all winter.

[yinc]

cool. i'll take a look at pickups in addition to the cayenne i've already signed a lease for

[Garth Bimble]

This should pretty much tell you all you need to know.

[adrenalated]

Toyota Tacoma or Subaru Outback are the only acceptable ski cars in Jackson.

Or a manual, AWD, diesel, German wagon. In brown.

[Bromontana]

Twin turbos, excellent winter tires, a Hawaiian dancing girl on the dash.

[TAFKALVS]

Cheap to fix/buy, durable vehicles that are good in the snow:

Toyota Pickup or 4 runner with 22re and 5-speed
1991-2001 Jeep Cherokee with 4.0L I6 and AW4 Auto
Any Subaru with EJ18 or EJ22. (Avoid the EJ25/ 2.5L)
1993-1999 Chevy/GMC Truck/Yukon/Suburban/Tahoe 1500 with 5.7L V8 (350) and 4L60e 4 speed auto
2000+ Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra/Yukon/Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon XL 1500 with 5.3L V8 and 4L60E

Invest in snow tires if you plan on driving up Teton Pass.

Or buy an new Audi with a 6-speed, turbo-diesel. Should come with pre-installed Nokian snow tires and a Thule box. If you mention to the dealer that you want "change for a nickel", they will give you a sticker pack of Arc'teryx, Mad River Glen and Alta stickers to place on the Thule box.

[adrenalated]

2000+ Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra/Yukon/Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon XL 1500 with 5.3L V8 and 4L60E

Disagree. Weak rear diffs. Went through 4 of them on an 00 Tahoe (that was purchased new).
93-99 was pretty solid though.

[Dromond]

I actually think that if I had to pick one, I'd rather have snow tires than AWD. But, having both is awesome

[TAFKALVS]

Disagree. Weak rear diffs. Went through 4 of them on an 00 Tahoe (that was purchased new).
93-99 was pretty solid though.

AWD version I bet?

[adrenalated]

AWD version I bet?

4x4