AH wrote:
"Root" wrote in message
om...

"AH" wrote in message
. co.uk...

Hi all..

I am going to be skiing at Alta/Snowbird on the 6th and 7th of December,
then driving on the 8th to Heavenly and skiing there for 2 days... Map
point says that it will take about 9 hours, which is fine..

However, what I didn't realise is that this motorway is pretty "high"
(asl) and it seems to snow there.. my question is, how likely is the
highway to be closed, and if it does snow and stay open, how much will
this affect my journey?

Also, I'm hiring a car in LA (we're doing a 3 week trip going out as far
as SLC) and I need to get some snow chains. Just need them to last three
weeks.. anyone got a suggestion about where to buy some cheap ones?


Costco has cheap chains...as does wal mart I believe. If you don't use
them you could take them back to either of them I believe. If you do use
them, sell them on ebay after. I-80 from SLC to reno may get bad but they
really don't close it. Its only around Heavenly that it might get bad. The
canyon to alta might be closed to everyone but chains and 4x4 if it keeps
up like the past 4 days! yes


Thanks for your advice..

What is the deal with chains? I'm from Australia, but live in London, and
as it rarely snows in both places, I have never really driven in snow..

At what point should you put them on? If there is 2 inches of snow on the
ground is it really necessary to fit them at that point?

The Highway people will tell you - they will set chain required signs.
Generally on the highway The Highway people are accurate about need, so
don't put on chains until you see the chains required sign. Ignore the
doofusses who will be putting chains on ahead of need - they will end up
driving miles on pavement and ruining their chains.

Off the highway it's up to you - if you find yourself skidding or unable
to climb the hill to your lodging, chains might be a good idea.

Main thing about snow is to slow the hell down. It'll take 5-10 times
the distance to stop as on dry pavement. And you'll spin out like on a
race driving training course where they oil the pavement for spin
practice, only even easier.