I realized this would be a better location for this thread...

I am taking a ski trip out to Breck December 9-14th and am considering driving my MINI (non-s). Since it looks like there is snow there frequently, I'm wondering what people's thoughts are for driving it up the mountain. Will it be impossible? I also have an Xterra w/4wd, but it gets less than half of the mpg than the MINI... Thanks!

 

MINIs do real well in the snow. Also, the drive to Breckenridge should be fine. I would drive your MINI.

 

Thanks. I'm heading out there at the beginning of December (2nd week) for a few days.

 

Weather in the Rockies is always a big variable. While true the MINI handles well enough that I drive it year round there are two variables that can impact your ability to get around. The first is of course the depth of snow - much over 4" and I drive something else. That said they usually do a pretty good job of keeping I-70 clear though there have been times (and BR is off of I-70 a piece). The second is the number of Texans convinced that a 4 x 4 means invincibility. I've had more than one screaming Texan fly past me only to past them down the road waving for help to get their 4 x 4 out of the ditch. Thankfully I have never gotten tangled with one of them as they learn about the coefficient of friction.
Chance are good you'll do fine. If not, park it in Denver and ride the bus up.

 

If you've got good snow tires you will be OK. I drive my R56S every day at 8000 feet in the Roaring Fork Valley with no problems. If you have all seasons you might be fine depending on how much active snowfall you find yourself in. If you've got summer tires drive the Xterra. Finally, you want a lot of fresh snow don't you so you can hit that fresh powder everyday? Have a blast!!!

 

I was just reading about the roads, and it mentioned something about requiring tire chains in certain road conditions. After how much snow are they required?

 

And I have all-season tires on the car currently.

 

I would take the 4x4. There has been more than one occasion where I nearly got stuck due to ice and snow and that was with dedicated snow tires. Getting stuck in traffic on the steep hills can be bad news.

I just got back from breck and there was about a foot of new snow, you never know what you will run into.