Tahoe next week - Snowboarding Forum

chad812 · 03-10-2010, 08:45 PM

Couldn't find a 4x4, do you think I will have problems with a 2 wheel drive vehicle? Will I need chains? I don't want to get stuck anywhere. Any info would be great. Thanks

03-10-2010, 09:01 PM

i got a site for you to check the snow condition before you head up to tahoe. [ Snow Conditions ] if i were you call them because they can actually tell you if you are going to need it or not. well good luck on your trip and have fun. mayb you can take some pictures n post it.

neednsnow · 03-11-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chad812

Couldn't find a 4x4, do you think I will have problems with a 2 wheel drive vehicle? Will I need chains? I don't want to get stuck anywhere. Any info would be great. Thanks

It depends on where you plan on going. If it is snowing its tail off, they do have mandatory chain requirements, especially heading to Kirkwood. If its sun or rain in the valleys or you are staying to the more local spots you may be better. If you are staying in South Lake Tahoe, I know that a shuttle runs from SLT to Kirk and Squaw.

**killclimbz** · 03-11-2010, 11:09 AM

Yes, you will need chains. Buy them from Wal mart, Target where ever now or get butt raped because you have to buy them for the chain gangs along I80/highway 50. Your choice.

zakk · 03-11-2010, 11:25 AM

snow is looking questionable, but you should have them for sure. $15 at Wal-mart or $50 at a Gas Station in Nyack or Kyburz.

surfinsnow · 03-11-2010, 01:25 PM

You can't get a 4x4? That's about the only thing they rent out there! We wound up with a Chevy Equinox a couple of weeks ago. It was AWD, wasn't sure if it had the required snow tires, but Budget insisted it did (aren't they supposed to have the red dot on the side, so CALTRANS can easily check them out?)

Anyway, given that you really can't get a 4x4 -- as opposed to not being able to afford one!

-- just remember that a lot of it depends upon where you're staying and what your plans are. If you're staying on Tahoe City, they'll close 89 on Emerald Bay for just about anything. Once you drive it, you'll know why. Which means, a 40 minute trip to South Lake will turn into an hour and a half as you round the lake over the top. The Carson Pass doesn't close as quickly, I think because at least they have guardrails! But it it snows hard at Kirkwood, you won't get out anyway, and won't want to.

More important, I'd talk to the rental company. On a previous trip we asked about putting chains on our rental and they said our rental agreement strictly prohibited it, and they'd charge us a buttload of money if there was evidence chains were installed on the car, especially if they broke and caused damage. Don't know how often this happens or is enforced, but it's worth checking into.

03-10-2010, 08:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
chad812 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27	Tahoe next week Couldn't find a 4x4, do you think I will have problems with a 2 wheel drive vehicle? Will I need chains? I don't want to get stuck anywhere. Any info would be great. Thanks

03-11-2010, 11:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
zakk Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 612	snow is looking questionable, but you should have them for sure. $15 at Wal-mart or $50 at a Gas Station in Nyack or Kyburz. __________________ -zakk

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03-10-2010, 09:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
nina_corpuz Guest Posts: n/a	i got a site for you to check the snow condition before you head up to tahoe. [ Snow Conditions ] if i were you call them because they can actually tell you if you are going to need it or not. well good luck on your trip and have fun. mayb you can take some pictures n post it.

03-11-2010, 11:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,166	Yes, you will need chains. Buy them from Wal mart, Target where ever now or get butt raped because you have to buy them for the chain gangs along I80/highway 50. Your choice.

03-11-2010, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
surfinsnow Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New England Posts: 382	You can't get a 4x4? That's about the only thing they rent out there! We wound up with a Chevy Equinox a couple of weeks ago. It was AWD, wasn't sure if it had the required snow tires, but Budget insisted it did (aren't they supposed to have the red dot on the side, so CALTRANS can easily check them out?) Anyway, given that you really can't get a 4x4 -- as opposed to not being able to afford one! -- just remember that a lot of it depends upon where you're staying and what your plans are. If you're staying on Tahoe City, they'll close 89 on Emerald Bay for just about anything. Once you drive it, you'll know why. Which means, a 40 minute trip to South Lake will turn into an hour and a half as you round the lake over the top. The Carson Pass doesn't close as quickly, I think because at least they have guardrails! But it it snows hard at Kirkwood, you won't get out anyway, and won't want to. More important, I'd talk to the rental company. On a previous trip we asked about putting chains on our rental and they said our rental agreement strictly prohibited it, and they'd charge us a buttload of money if there was evidence chains were installed on the car, especially if they broke and caused damage. Don't know how often this happens or is enforced, but it's worth checking into.