This is the closest forum topic I could find to match what I've got, so it may need to be moved.

Anyway, on January 18 the wife, kids(2 italian greyhounds), and I will be leaving on a cross-country trip (one-way, thank God) from Las Vegas, NV to Hohenwald, TN (southwest of Nashville). We want to go through Utah then Colorado for some snowboarding and then head south from Kansas City. I've made the trip before, but via I-40 the whole way. Does anybody recommend or not recommend the trip through Colorado in a MINI considering the wonderful weather they have been having lately?
I would prefer the trip to be "less than interesting" if you know what I mean.

 

Enjoy it! Be sure to take lots of pics!

 

How long is your trip, afnos? Can you take your time? Considering that you're doing this in the dead of winter, I'd suggest sticking to major highways, as they will be maintained better than lesser roads. Also, pack jackets and booties for the doggies!! They'll be shivering in the cold!!!!

 

I can say that usually they keep I-70 open through the major passes pretty well. That said there have been times (past couple of weeks) that they have closed the interstate for several hours and up to a day. Granted these past few storms were unusual.
I would say you are fine even this time of year. If you do get caught with road closures, there are plenty of places with food along the way that you would be forced to stop at so it is not like you would be stuck in the middle of Kansas eating snow soup and burning tires for warmth.
One tip though; chose your departure time from the slopes wisely. When heading east from a day of skiing, I-70 can become a parking lot just because of the number of people leaving at the same time. We find it best to ski all day, spend the night in a town up in the mountains (Dillon or Silverthorn) and then head east in the morning. Much more relaxing and far less crowded.
We were in Copper over Christmas and the snow is great - enjoy!

 

We have never been skiing in Colorado, and were thinking of going to Vail since it is close to 70. A few people have told us to go somewhere a little less crowded, but I don't want to stray too far from I-70. We are planning on driving straight there on the 18th, staying the night, skiing all day, staying the night, then heading out on the 20th. We don't really have a strict schedule so we have a few days we can play with just in case.

 

Just keep an eye on the weather channel and the forecasts in the days leading up to your departure. If there isn't a forecast for it to be actively snowing or it hasn't been snowing hard in the day leading up to your departure, everything should be fine.

You have three areas of concern between Vegas and Denver:

1. Just as you get onto I-70 from I-15 on either side of Richfield, UT there are mountain passes in the fishlake national forest. These can and do get snow in the winter and the road is a bit twisty there.
2. between Richfield and Greenriver (roughly 120 miles) there are essentially no services.
3. Vail Pass and Loveland Pass (Eisenhower Tunnel area) along I-70 in just to the East of Vail.

Those are the three main points I would watch closely for and be warry of. A healthy respect for winter driving is appropriate.

My take having done the L.A. to Denver drive on I-15/I-70 quite a bit in the last several years.

 

Other than the mountain passes, the plains should be clear - if you're goingdown to I-40 and the road's clear, look to cutting across New Mexico/Texas Panhandle on some of the US highways. It's a great drive. NORMALLY, anything before Pueblo is usually clear, tho this winter... anything's up for grabs.

I just drove from Atlanta to Co Springs and back, between blizzards. Fun drive.

 

I say go for it. Be very aware of weather & road conditions. Have a backup plan just in case. If it gets bad either do plan B or hunker down in a motel for a while.

 

Just returned from Keystone, Copper, Vail and Breckenridge. I-70 was closed for a while but they seem to get it driveable very quickly. Although Vail is nice and close to I-70, Copper is also right off the Interstate. Snow was much better at Copper last week than Vail. Enjoy yourself and respect the driving conditions.

 

For a minute there, I thought he must be the owner of one of these: (edit: I tried to insert a picture of one of those MINI stretch limo's and failed miserably)but then, after re-reading his original post, I realized that the "kids" had long tails and fur.

 

If you are on Leadville be sure to eat at Quincy's, it's great!!

 

Thanks for all the good info guys. I'll try to post some pics after the trip.

I've been to/from Tennessee one too many times on I-40 (1600 miles worth each way), so I'd like to take another route. I'll be hitting it in Fort Smith, so I'll be on it from there to just past Tennessee River/Kentucky Lake. That's enough for me.

 

After that, it's a drive to Indianapolis, a flight to Seattle, a flight to Seoul, a bus ride to Osan Air Base. One year without a MINI, or any car for that matter. I'll be making lots of trips to MINI of Seoul.

 

When I drive, I take I20 to DFW, then take US287 up thru Wichita Falls, Amarillo, then Dumas, Texline, up into NM, then hit I-25. Usually. Oftentimes, I'll leave US287 at a random spot, go up to US50 and head west. Unfortunately, this would go far too south for you if you were heading into TN, so.. :/

 

so have respect for the weather. I-70 is indeed kept open at all costs, unless impossible.

It should be said that if you DO find yourself needing something (even restaurant suggestions, and I am an expert at that) then let us know HERE or at Info@MINI5280.org or write to me and I will give you a phone. Most of us have 'other vehicles' (ie rescue vehicles) that will go anywhere in snow. We can get to you or get you something you might need.

It also goes without saying that the folks at Ralph Schomp have made a name for themselves out here by rescuing stranded, broken, or bent MINI Motorers. The did a great job for Ronald Watts from TX who was up here on the Western Dragon at MITM in August....got him some loaner tyres and wheels to get home after he broke his. Don't hesitate to call on them....anyone in the MINI store knows what to do, or just ask for Shelley.

Good luck. Write when you are home.

JPS

Come visit in the summer. No snow issues, other than at the top of Mt. Evans.....14,246 ft high, paved road, nekkid, during MITM2 "Coopers Return to Copper" on August 9-12, 2007. See you there.

 

FWIW, I made the mistake of 'taking the high road' (I-70) in 2005 when bringing my car back from VA in February. Things looked fine and dandy, weather was clear so I didn't cut down to 40 from St. Louis (wanted to visit a friend in Denver.) Rain in the east turned to snow (and a blizzard) in the west and I70 was shut down. It was NOT fun (thought the MINI managed fine.)
My advice - be very aware of the weather and plan your route accordingly.
Enjoy the trip!

 

P.S. Watch out for avalanches!

 

By all means do go I15 to I70, up and over - IF the weather looks clear. The sight seeing in Utah is unique. If you have the time pull off at a few of the scenic overlook areas. Do take the advise of the earlier poster regarding the lack of services in Utah. Basically there is about nothing out there after Ridgeway! Don't be surprized or worried if you suddenly find yourself in a bit of snow around the Eisenhower Tunnel in CO. It isn't uncommon for skifs of snow in just that area. I make a trip from Madison, WI to Las Vegas via Denver right after Thanksgiving and return via the same route mid-December. Only once in the past three years did we alter our return route to the TX, OK, St Louis trip due to a nasty weather forcast all the way on both I70 and I80. After you get past AZ it is just drudgery to drive that way. I'd love to make the tip in my MINI, unfortunetly it is a work trip so we have to drive the Chevy conversion van full of artwork to sell at Cowboy Christmas. I hope you have a great trip and enjoy the drive!

 

Just DONT drive I-70 eastbound into Denver from the mountains on a weekend afternoon or evening. It WILL remind you of the Hollywood Freeway. Ski and drive I-70 resorts on the weekdays.

Also, CDOT uses mag chloride de-icer liberally on I-70 in the mountains so it stays pretty clear, most of the time. But when U get back to TN make sure and wash your suspension and wheels thoroughly because MC is quite corrosive to suspension and brake parts if not cleaned off.

Most of the highway problems with our recent storms have been with roads E of Denver, with ground blizzards, wind, etc. causing frequent closures.

FCOL dont speed on I-70 through Utah, especially from I-15 to Richfield. Utah cops love thier laser radar guns and VASCAR.

Try to stop in Glenwood Springs CO to take a dip in the hot springs pool!!

And watch out for Audi drivers. They have a well-deserved reputation out here for AWD-fueled arrogance. good luck

PS the above post said nothing after "Ridgeway." It's actually Richfield, Utah. Gas and lodge there if U can, 'cause except for Green River it's pretty sparse to Grand Junction CO (a good fuel stop becuase it gets quite expensive in the mountains)

You will love I-70 from I-15 to Denver. It's one of america's most scenic interstates!