After reading a few threads on driving the TL in snow im not 100% sure if can drive up to Big Bear ski mt. My question is anyone one in the CA area has ever driving to Big Bear mt before? Right now I have the stock tires on it and I dont want to pony up some extra cash for tires or chains because I wont be driving in snow being the I do most of my driving in the central coast with no snow. Is the road conditions good to drive up the mt? Am I going to come across alot of snow? I was thinking of getting an rental SUV but its going to cost me 450 bucks! ( going to rent it for a week because Im going to visit other places and the rental place is pretty far away so I can switch cars on the fly ) Also for 450 bucks I should be able to get snow tires and/or chains you say... well I have no where else to store them after im done with them. I live in an small 2 bedroom apt with an roommate and were max out for space as is. Any info on this subject will help me out in my choice. Thanks for the help

 

ive been there numerous times and, unless there is a Caltrans warning issued, you will be fine.

They do a good job of keeping the roads passable for most vehicles. last year we went up there in a convoy - a montero, Evo, WRX wagon, Lancer Ralliart, Audi TT and S2000. it was pouring rain and we were able to make it up even as the rain changed to snow. light snow was not a problem for our group, considering the Evo was on the OEM-spec Advans (not for snow use) and the S2000 was on Falken slicks. the wrx was on oem all-seasons as well as the Ralliart (FWD).

If you plan to go up the next few days you should be fine.

 

Im planing to head up to Big Bear at the end of the month Dec 28-30th time frame. Will the thicker snow be a problem?

 

it would be.

we plan to go up there the weekend of new years, but i wont be bringing the TL. we'll be bringing the Montero. I drove the montero there last year on ICE and even at 5mph, when the montero slipped (even on AWD) i had to catch the rear every now and then. i had to go to full differential lock to gain control. it wasnt good and any vehicle w/o chains or AWD, Caltrans will stop long before they get up the mountain.

 

Unless you are heading up the mountain during or after the storms, the roads are usually clear. And the back way from the high desert (Apple Valley) via SR 18 is always open. Hwy 18 & 38 are open but Hwy 330 from Highland to Running Springs has been closed on and off due to constructions. Check the Caltran web site before you go.

 

Thanks for the info! I belive im just going to bite the bullet and just rent the SUV. Man this ski trip is getting expensive! Will still call Caltran because you never know. Again thanks for the help.

~Bob

 

even if you rent the suv, make sure you get at least an awd model.

if you dont have an AWD model and its snowing pretty bad on your way up, they will stop you at a checkpoint halfway before you get up the mountain. they stopped our montero there because they thought it was only 2WD and because we didnt have chains, but when we engaged low 4WD, they let us pass.

good luck