Winter Driving Tips Thread

We do this every year and it seems to help with a lot of the questions new people to this state and visitors have about driving in the high country in the winter.

Well snow season is officially here!! After yesterdays storm I thought it would be good to get a mountains in the winter thread. This isn't as much about driving in the snow, I assume if you are heading up there you already know how to do that. This is more about resources to help you know what road conditions are like, snow tire questions, alternate routes if traffic is backed up or roads are closed.

Thread will be updated with info and resources as people share them.

##Chain Laws Chains are not required for passenger vehicles*, but are required for passenger buses and Trucks (called Commercial Motor Vechicles or CMVs by CDOT) *^(there are times when tire restrictions will be put in place explained below)

##Tire Restrictions More info [Here] (https://www.reddit.com/r/COsnow/comments/3pwyq5/driving_in_the_mountains_in_the_winter_help_in/cwdiksg). Thanks u/doebedoe

##What happens if I am driving on I-70 and these go up? If your car is not fit for the driving conditions you will be directed to the nearest exit where you can turn around, or wait for the restrictions to drop. If you are caught on 70 and cause a lane closing incident you could be fined. Otherwise you are just a dick for fucking up traffic.

##How do I know if my tires are good enough? TAKE THE QUARTER TEST!

1. Insert a quarter into the tire tread upside down, with Washington’s head going in first
2. If the top of George’s head is covered by the tread, your tires are OK – do this test at multiple points around each tire
3. If the top of his head is visible at any point around the tire, you need new tires

##Should I get snow tires? The short answer is yes you should. All season tires start turning into rubber bricks once the temp drops below about 15F. ####OK You convinced me where can I go? Tirerack.com - though you need to mount the tires yourself obviously
Discount Tire - retailer so you might pay more
Walmart - It is Walmart
I'm sure there are other local retailers that people can add here too!!

##Well I really want to go up!! Find a ride share. We will be posting them here from opening week until closing day. There are also plenty of meetup groups, skicarpool.org, and facebook groups. You will be able to find a ride I promise.

##I hate I-70 traffic what can I do?

1. Don't go on the weekends (if possible)
2. Find alternate routes (though I don't recommend taking them for the first time in the middle of a snow storm)
3. Change your peak time! The GoI70.com website will forecast the traffic patterns for the weekend every Thursday (or before a holiday weekend), all year round. If you check the travel forecasts you can plan when to leave from Denver and from the mountains.
4. Find a ride share and just sleep while someone else drives you.
5. (EB Only) Take the I-70 express lane from Empire to Idaho Springs. This toll by Express Pass or Toll by Tag (extra fee) is a peak period lane that will ensure at least a 45mph speed limit through this 13 mile stretch. Cars only.

###I-70 Alternate Routes: ##Denver to Idaho Springs

1. US 6 Clear Creek Canyon, this route starts at Foothills and US 58 (Golden FWY) and is a pretty flat route that follows clear creek to right before the Central City Parkway/Veterans Tunnels (formerly Twin tunnels) where you merge with I-70 traffic. This route bypasses Mt. Vernon canyon, and Floyd Hill but not the Veterans Tunnels.
2. Bear Creek Canyon to Squaw Pass to I-70, this route goes through Morrison then follows Bear Creek up to Evergreen where you go through Evergreen then follow Squaw Pass toward Mt. Evans and around Echo Lake. This will put you right on I-70 in Idaho Springs bypassing Mt. Vernon canyon, Floyd Hill and the Veterans Tunnels
3. US-40, this route follows I-70 up to Genesee then merges with I-70 before diverging again at Evergreen Parkway then continues to follow I-70 until merging with US-6 at the bottom of Floyd Hill. This route bypasses I-70 but you still have to go up Mt. Vernon Canyon and down Floyd Hill, before merging with US-6 and continuing toward the Veterans Tunnels
4. US-285, this route follows the S. Platte as you make your way toward South Park. This route goes through Conifer, Pine, and Bailey before ending up in Fairplay where you turn onto CO-9 towards Breckenridge. This route is a 4 lane highway through most of JeffCo. Once you get into Park county it turns into a 2 lane road with little to no room to pass.

##Denver to Georgetown (seasonal)

1. US-285 to Bailey to Guanella Pass then over Guanella Pass to Georgetown. Note:This route will close usually around or after Thanksgiving

##Idaho Springs to Empire/Georgetown

1. Frontage road (have to get on at Idaho Springs or after Fall River)

##Silver Plume to Tunnel (No bypassing the incline from Georgetown to Silver Plume)

1. Frontage road

##Bypassing the tunnel To Keystone: US-6 Loveland pass (this route will get snow packed and icy when it snows and is subject to closing when it starts to really fucking snow)
To Breck and beyond: US-6 Loveland pass to Swan Mountain, this will take you around Lake Dillon where you end up at CO-9, take a left to head toward Breck and South Park, take a right to head toward Frisco, The Boat and I-70.

##Bypassing Vail Pass Warning very long fucking route, and subject to closure If CO-91 toward Leadville is not closed then get off at Copper Mountain and take CO-91 toward Leadville (this route has steep grades), after about 10 22 miles (thanks u/a10t2) you will see a turn off for US-24 toward Ski Cooper. This will take you around Tennessee Pass toward Minturn where US-24 meets I-70. Head Eastbound toward Vail and West toward Avon (Beaver Creek, Arrowhead).

Your next bottleneck will be Glenwood Canyon but I don't know any way to get around that. Plus it isn't that bad in the winter compared to Denver to Vail. With Independence Pass closed in the winter you can't get to Glenwood Springs from 285 or 24, so you are stuck taking I-70.

###Resources to help your commute better: ##Mobile Apps:

1. Google Maps (of course) iOS/Android and Google Now

2. Waze iOS/Android

3. CDOT Mobile iOS/Android

##Text Alerts: CDOT Text Alerts

##Social Media: Twitter @ColoradoDOT
Facebook ColoradoDOT

##Phone: Road and Weather Conditions: 511

##Web: GoI70.com
COTrip.org