So...how are the roads to VT (I91, to stowe)

[rpmk104]

Hey everyone.

Looks like I am heading up to stowe tomorrow night (friday). How are the road conditions up there right now? You think there will be any highway closures?

We am debating whether to take my sisters RDX (AWD, all season tires)....or my little suzuki SX4 (AWD, snow tires).

It will be a snug fit in my SX4....you think we will be able to make it to stowe in the RDX with all season tires??

Please let me know!!!

I have powder fever!!!

Thanks

 

[Talisman]

How the roads are now and how they will be tomorrow night are two different questions. I would cram into the AWD vehicle with snow tires. I see a lot of AWD and 4x4 vehicles in the ditch when it snows and to avoid that situation, I use snow tires, 4x4 and slow down.

 

[noski]

You should be ok with the all seasons IF they are really good. I am running all seasons right now with my AWD Fusion with no issues- but they are brand new- I was pushing snow with my car valence on a 1000 foot climb yesterday after about 18" of snow with no scary moments. Next winter I will put on snowtires.

Just be patient and drive an appropriate speed for the conditions, and assume no one else is doing that.

<edit> or of course, you could take the AWD with the snows.... either way, you are coming to VT to ski!

 

[rpmk104]

Thanks guys!

I've never been to stowe....how are the local roads around stowe? Hilly? I am guessing they won't be plowed by tomorrow night.

 

[WWF-VT]

Couple of ways to get updates

The Vermont Agency of Transportation call 1-800-ICY-ROAD

or http://www.511vt.com/

 

[rpmk104]

wow, the roads look pretty clear!

Thanks for the website!!!

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Stowe is very good about plowing the Mtn Road, most of the folks dont like driving their range rovers in snow covered roads....

 

[jtothewang]

NYC to Stowe tomorrow - expect up to 10-hrs of driving.

 

[rpmk104]

anything for powder!

 

[Glenn]

91 from exit 3 South is clear. It was raining in the Brattleboro area all day today. Boooooooo! But things may change tonight, tomorrow and into Saturday. I'm in the flatlands now, but heading back up to VT shortly. 24 hours....and I do 9 hours of driving. Whee!

 

[gores95]

You should check the weather up there. This has been a weird storm so far with a real East/West rain/snow line. It is raining in Burlington and Montreal yet snowing in Trenton and Philly. From the radar most of VT is raining right now. Very strange.....

 

[LonghornSkier]

The radar is a bit decieving...From what I can gather, it is snowing above about 2300 ft right now which means probably mid mountain or lower at most ski areas.

 

[billski]

I just got realtime beta from friends on their way to Stowe right now in a Subaru. They are on the upper VT section of 89 and they have had rain, snow and fog.
Update from Waterbury - precip has ceased, 39F in the valley. Elevation is key!

In my 35 years of mountain driving the most important things you can do for yourself is what noski and Talisman said - Snow tires and driving a bit slower than you think you can. I drove 20 years with all season and yeah, you'll get by but you're compromised. Don't forget snows have slightly softer rubber which helps when you are on ice and hardpack. Given the mix of conditions you are apt to hit on the way up, I'd be on snow tires.

I'm heading to Stowe tomorrow afternoon - Bolton Saturday, Stowe Sunday. Maybe I'll see you. Then again, if there's pow, maybe not

 

[vonski]

I drove to Sugarbush this evening. Roads were very wet. Had to go to 4 wheel drive 3 miles south of Roxbury. exit 4 to 12A, The Gap was not bad not good. There is a big rut when it goes to dirt. Raining in the valleys and snowing up higher. On 89 becareful in the exit 4 to 7 area, lots more elevation and some hill cuts where the left lane can be all ice.
The biggest thing to worry about tomorrow is that the roads are so wet that when it does change back to snow they are really going to slick up and freeze if it gets below 28. So tires will be important but ice is ice.

 

[billski]

I drove to Sugarbush this evening. Roads were very wet. Had to go to 4 wheel drive 3 miles south of Roxbury. exit 4 to 12A, The Gap was not bad not good. There is a big rut when it goes to dirt.


...

So tires will be important but ice is ice.

I'd rather have snows on ice, with the softer rubber, which is why I don't get as many miles on them.

Highway usually can stay on top of the ice on 91, but you were in the middle of it.

What do you mean "it goes to dirt"? I91?

What gap are you calling out - the one on 91?

 

[Talisman]

What gap are you calling out - the one on 91?

I thnk he is talking about Roxbury Gap, the road goes from pavement to dirt as you go up.

 

[billski]

I thnk he is talking about Roxbury Gap, the road goes from pavement to dirt as you go up.

that makes more sense. I thought we were talking about 91.

 

[MadRiverMama]

So glad to have this info... I just talked my husband out of taking the Roxbury Gap to get to Sugarbush. He is not in a 4WD. Thank you. This information is priceless.

 

[Talisman]

In mud season Roxbury Gap can be a challenge in a 4x4 with low range and if you get stuck with out a winch you may miss more than first chair.

 

[tree_skier]

The roads are all closed to Mt. Sneaux for the weekend. STAY HOME. It has been snowing all day @ 2200 ' here in Dover, they are predicting major power outages with the addition 20" by 7pm sat on top of the four feet of Cement that is already down, don't bother coming.