Do I *need* All Wheel Drive?

Those that know me know what side of the fence I am on with this discussion. Been driving Saabs since '85 and luv' em for winter driving. Full set of narrow, studded Hakka's and the car is a beast in the snow. I only chain up once or twice in the winter, usually when the road is too steep for traction (Road to Paul Ridge in BC). If I had to do the mandatory chain up thing like you folks down south I might feel differently. The State Patrol on the way to Baker are not early risers so I never have to throw them on when the signs are out. I am already skiing up:)

Was in Nelson last winter before New Years during the big storm. Got to try out some different cars in the snow while we waited for a day to fly into Kokanee Hut. The '95 Subie with all season tires was scary bad in the snow compared to my 900. The Ford aerostar with snows was better!! There was no comparison. I could break traction quite easily with the Suby. Tires make a huge difference!

Next month I am going to have ScanWest install a Limited slip differential in the Saab and that will make the car even better in the snow. AWD is over rated unless you are living in snow for many months and have to get up steep snow covered roads on a daily basis (Mazama).

for a ski vehicle, in my experience you cannot beat an AWD chevy astrovan!!
truck chassi
wide wheel base
excellent clearance
with AWD and 4 snow tires it totally rocks in the snow!!
nice and dry place to change at the trailhead.
gets about 20 MPG
reasonable cost
easy to find service (which has not been an issue for my past 2 astrovans
dont need no stinking roof rack
not sexy, not sporty, looks like a toaster.
profiles well with cops, they think its a minivan!

Life before Subaru, had crappy celica, family ford wagon, old style volvo wagon. Only time I ever chained up was when I used my parking brake at Stevens and one side froze to the drum. Had to put the chain on the one spinning wheel to break free the brake on the other side. I did always have good snow tires. Generally if the DOT has the road open, using good technique will get you there. SLOW down, never stop on a hill, park your car so its pointed downhill at the ski area parking lot, or be ready to ask for a push to get you started. Oh Yeah, don't use your ebrake when it is freezing outside. That being said, it does seem that chain enforcement has really picked up the last couple years. Also, since I live at Hyak and drive I-90 a lot, I do realize plenty of people have no clue of how to drive on snow. You know those people that spin out in the middle lane and then stop right in the middle of the freeway to chain up or just park there. Do you think it ever occurred to them to roll backwards to get to the shoulder area? ABS brakes, we all have been propagandized on how to use them right? When your are sliding off the road, just keep your foot buried on the brake pedal, because that ABS is going to save you!! Umm I am being sarcastic, please note that if your car is sliding off the road or into a car, you should try to take your foot off the brake to regain control. Or just get a suby! I wish that more cars had a button to switch from AWD to 2wd.

you should try to take your foot off the brake to regain control.  

Actually that's what ABS does. ???

Actually that's what ABS does.  ???

Actually, my ABS do not do that.  They pulse at a fairly high frequency.  Their release phase is too short to accomplish what khyak is referring to.

I think that ABS works best on wet roads.  The kind of skids I have corrected required a complete release of the brake for a second or so.  The wheels then can fully turn, steer into the skid to get control and then stop braking like an idiot that got me into the skid in the first place.

For me I would go with an AWD or 4WD vehicle, but I go over 40 days a year so I think it is worth not having to stop and put on chains. I used to have an Outback it it handled awesome in the snow and I averaged around 24mpg. I currently drive a Ram pickup which gets terrible gas mileage but also performs well in the snow. I also agree with Khyak that knowing how to drive in snow is very important, most the vehicles you see in the ditch are suvs.