If you are booking vacation rentals in South Lake Tahoe this winter, knowing how to drive in the snow is necessary to ensure your getaway is an enjoyable one. Too often, folks that aren’t used to driving in winter mountain conditions think that because they have 4 wheel drive and good tires, that they are invisible. The reality is that driving in snow takes time, patience and basic common sense. You might as well want to check out some preventative maintenance tips for your car. The good news is that our mountain town is capable of clearing roads for travel with the right equipment and around the clock snow removal vehicles. If you are looking at vacation rentals in South Lake Tahoe that are in town, HWY 50 and other main roads are always the first to be cleared. But before that, one should get hold of a good MotorLender and hire a vehicle that’d suit the terrain in and around the campsite. The side roads and neighborhoods come second. If you are worried about navigating during a storm, be sure to keep that in mind and look at vacation rentals in South Lake Tahoe that are near the main roads. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:
- Know before you go. Know what is in the weather forecast as well as the current road conditions before you head up to the lake.
- Carry chains and know how to put them on. Patrol is cracking down on drivers so be prepared to pull over and put these on if your car requires them.
- Give other drivers distance and be aware of them, especially at stops and intersections.
- Speaking of stops, avoid making any sudden moves, like stopping, turning, accelerating or braking.
- As previously mentioned, just because you have 4 Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive doesn’t make you the super hero of the road. No car, regardless of what it is, can come to a complete and safe stop on slick roads.
- Have compassion for other drivers trying to make it to their vacation. Not everyone is comfortable driving in the snow. While you may be, don’t get huffy because someone in front of you is crawling along. The reality is whether they were there are not, you probably wouldn’t be able to go that much faster in snowy conditions.
- Followed all these tips and find yourself sliding? Let off your brakes and turn your wheels in the direction that the rear of your car is sliding.
If you are trying to find out what the road conditions are prior to arriving at your Lake Tahoe vacation rental, Caltrans keeps their road conditions current online or at 1-800-427-ROAD. If you are driving to your Lake Tahoe vacation rental from the Nevada side, call the Nevada Department of Transportation at 877-687-6237. Our local ski resorts have snow cams as well, so you can visit each website to get base information, snowfall and more.
Leave a Reply