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May, 2025

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Driving in utah during the winter- vehicle requirements

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supersquid
Posts: 1430 - Karma: 2,547
Whats up guys so Im an out of state student in slc and im bringing my 03 vw jetta here next week. Its a front wheel drive with 6 speed manual trans. I am confused about the requirements for winter driving in the mountains. From what ive heard if you car does not have 4 wheel drive/ all wheel drive then you have to have snow tires or chains. Is this correct? Also how is driving through the mountains during the winter? Does it get pretty sketchy or do they do a good job with salting and plowing? Just a bit worried cause it will be my first winter with this car. Im from Wisconsin so I do have experience in the snow.
8 years ago
3 0
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eheath
Posts: 61949 - Karma: 126,666
SLC will be a joke compared to the conditions you've probably driven in, snow management in SLC is very efficient and the roads will be wet/cleared hours after storms.

The mountains can be a bit different, especially with steep, curving roads up the canyons to the resorts. Front wheel drive works great in the snow, but the law requires 4x4 or chains when it snows enough. This will be the case going to brighton, solitude, alta, snowbird. The canyon to park city and other resorts do not have laws like this. Hope that helps.
8 years ago
7 0
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supersquid
Posts: 1430 - Karma: 2,547
eheathSLC will be a joke compared to the conditions you've probably driven in, snow management in SLC is very efficient and the roads will be wet/cleared hours after storms.

The mountains can be a bit different, especially with steep, curving roads up the canyons to the resorts. Front wheel drive works great in the snow, but the law requires 4x4 or chains when it snows enough. This will be the case going to brighton, solitude, alta, snowbird. The canyon to park city and other resorts do not have laws like this. Hope that helps.


Thats exactly the info I was looking for, than ya much!
8 years ago
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3609 - Karma: 3,977
Parleys had 4x4 regulations and chain regulations in place last year but not inforced and it sucked. It was for tractors/trucks only and they fuck it all up. But I traveled parleys at like 5-6am. Usually by rush hour it was better and plows caught up or it was jackknife gridlock.
8 years ago
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oxiclean
Posts: 615 - Karma: 693
Pretty much if you're not a complete idiot you'll be fine.
8 years ago
1 0
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ChangeCashMoney
Posts: 311 - Karma: 1,318
supersquidWhats up guys so Im an out of state student in slc and im bringing my 03 vw jetta here next week. Its a front wheel drive with 6 speed manual trans. I am confused about the requirements for winter driving in the mountains. From what ive heard if you car does not have 4 wheel drive/ all wheel drive then you have to have snow tires or chains. Is this correct? Also how is driving through the mountains during the winter? Does it get pretty sketchy or do they do a good job with salting and plowing? Just a bit worried cause it will be my first winter with this car. Im from Wisconsin so I do have experience in the snow.


They do a pretty good job of keeping the roads clear here, especially in the city. I drove a Mini Cooper up to the mountain all last winter and only ever got stuck once. AWD or 4WD is ideal, but your Jetta will do alright. Mountain passes just get a little sketch when you're climbing a hill without much traction. Get some chains for sure, there will be days that you'll need them if you're heading up to one of the ski resorts. I don't know what people from Wisconsin drive like in the winter, but it helps to be a fairly defensive driver here I think. A lot of Utahns drive like maniacs, regardless of what the road looks like. I get more nervous about other drivers here than driving in the snow.
8 years ago
1 0
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BeefiestExpert
Posts: 2804 - Karma: 3,277
I hope you have a 7.3 dual welded diesel tech turbo, with smokestacks and a 10 inch lift or your fucked.
8 years ago
1 0
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1776
Posts: 728 - Karma: 2,321
BeefiestExpertI hope you have a 7.3 dual welded diesel tech turbo, with smokestacks and a 10 inch lift or your fucked.


I have a 7.3l powerstroke
8 years ago
1 0
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GeneralButtNaked
Posts: 7854 - Karma: 89
DieselChevysI have a 7.3l powerstroke


fake news. Sad!
8 years ago
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K-Dot.
Posts: 3790 - Karma: 8,348
yeah eheath hit the nail on the head.

i'd add one thing tho, the buses up the cottonwoods come in handy if your car struggles in snow or you just don't wanna deal with parking on weekends
8 years ago
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1776
Posts: 728 - Karma: 2,321
GeneralButtNakedfake news. Sad!


Really?
8 years ago
1 0
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kingsskier
Posts: 6213 - Karma: 2,152
DieselChevysI have a 7.3l powerstroke


You drive a Ford with the name DieselChevys???
8 years ago
1 0
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1776
Posts: 728 - Karma: 2,321
kingsskierYou drive a Ford with the name DieselChevys???


Yes sir I used to own a k10
8 years ago
1 0
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,673
DieselChevysYes sir I used to own a k10


how dare you
8 years ago
1 0
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3609 - Karma: 3,977
DieselChevysI have a 7.3l powerstroke


Those things are work horses.

I had a 6.0 power stroke I bought super cheap and rolled the dice on. I knew the history of the 6.0s lol. I piled on 30k miles in a year and the thing was bomber. Best truck I've ever had in snow, got 17mpg even with it 4.5" straight piped. I would have kept it but wifey hated it. Blew smoke all over and smelled like a diesel work truck..but that's what it was. Rip power stroke.
8 years ago
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