8 days to kill in Colorado...

December 30, 2011 12:21 PM

Free plane ticket to Colorado during the last week of January. Will be visiting friends in Breckenridge for a few days but have the rest wide open. Any suggestions for where to go and what to do? Also, is an SUV necessary in winter?

We went to Ross Lake Resort in Washington state last year. Maybe something similar? Affordable cabin/resort in Mountains possibly? Road trip around state? Not opposed to some skiing but doubt we have the budget for that to be the focus of trip. We are open to any and everything:)

Most importantly, can we get away with renting a normal car? Or is an SUV necessary?

posted by slowtree to Travel & Transportation around Colorado (12 answers total)

The SUV thing really depends upon what you're planning on doing. I grew up in Colorado and have never owned an SUV. If you're sticking to highways and populated areas, you'll probably be fine without one. Unless you're caught in a snow storm trying to go up a pass or something.
posted by Aleen at 12:34 PM on December 30, 2011

Best answer: Echoing Aleen - Colorado native here, never owned an SUV. I prefer front-wheel drive for Winter weather driving, and an extra measure of common sense and care. January and February are probably our snowiest months, but most roads are cleared pretty quickly. If you're spending most of your time in the mountains, you might upgrade to an SUV, but don't mistake that as an alternative to the common sense and care.

Like beer? We have lots of great breweries, and it's pretty easy to plan a beer tour. Otherwise, as long as the weather is reasonably nice, I'd suggest trips along some Scenic Byways. Some of these may be closed for the season; I'm dead certain Trail Ridge Road is. Peak to Peak is surely open, and has some breathtakingly beautiful scenery.
posted by Perthuz at 12:46 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Colorado is generally very good about managing snowy roads, so you can almost certainly get away with a normal car as long as you're not planning anything crazy. Very few people I personally know have SUVs and we all get around fine in winter. Just make sure you leave lots and lots of extra room for braking if weather conditions aren't ideal, and drive as slow as makes you comfortable (even if it means you're going slower than most others on the road).
posted by lilac girl at 1:01 PM on December 30, 2011

If the normal car has winter tires, you'll be fine.

If you're really uncomfortable driving in snow, though, it might be worth the extra piece of mind to have an SUV.

(Canadian who drives in snow frequently.. not knowledgable about Colorado)
posted by sarae at 2:24 PM on December 30, 2011

*peace, that is
posted by sarae at 2:26 PM on December 30, 2011

Best answer: You're in the napa valley of beer, if you're interested in breweries and their related tours. You could snowshoe into a 10th mountain division hut. We have lots of skiing this time of year (though this isn't a great snow year). You could stop by for a drink with local mefites.
posted by craven_morhead at 2:39 PM on December 30, 2011

I'd recommend, if possible rent, renting a Subaru (e.g. Legacy) with snow tires.
posted by carter at 3:12 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

An SUV really isn't going to help you at all. It is bigger and heavier. It is easier to roll. It might provide more clearance, but if the snow is deep that you don't have enough clearance, you really shouldn't be driving unless you have a lot of experience in the snow. Sure, it might have four wheel drive, but that isn't going to help you stop faster or prevent you from sliding out if you take a corner too fast. SUVs may or may not be RWD normally, but any car you rent will be FWD, which is better in the snow anyways.

If you can get a car with winter tires, those will make the biggest difference. If you absolutely can't, then drive carefully in snowy conditions in a normal car.

I don't live in Colorado, but I do live in a ski resort town and I generally observe that the out of towners in big SUVs or trucks are more likely to slide around than those with cars.
posted by ssg at 8:59 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

Best answer: X-Games in Aspen the last weekend of Jan. Make sure you book lodging asap in Glenwood...
posted by mmdei at 9:29 PM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

From a safety perspective its easier to control a regular car (less mass) than a heavy SUV.
A 4wd sedan would be your best bet. The tires are very important.

The benefit an suv would offer is hauling more stuff and better ground clearance incase
you were driving through really deep snow.

If driving on ice the studded winter tires (or chains) are preferable, in most other
situation stud less/friction tires are excellent.

I very much second the suggestion for a Subaru.
posted by digividal at 2:56 AM on December 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

You don't want an SUV. You want a Subaru.
posted by Lobster Garden at 12:50 PM on December 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

Best answer: For what its worth...I ended up renting a Toyota Camry and it was totally fine. Even for navigating mountain roads and city of Denver after a foot of snow.

If anyone is looking for a trip suggestions...go to Telluride. It was incredible.
posted by slowtree at 1:37 PM on February 19, 2012