Would you recommend renting a 4x4 to drive to Whistler from Seattle?

Question

Do I need a 4x4 or could I get stuck on the road up there or back? I'm flying into Seattle and driving up to Whistler the first week of January. All the rental car companies forbid putting chains on a rental car so I thought that getting a 4x4 would let us get by if there are chain restrictions. I'm also worried about bad weather the day we have to fly out and then getting stuck without chains on the road out and missing our flights.

Answer 1

Not a bad idea, and leave early enough on the way back to allow for any delays.



Edit:

I'll elaborate a bit. It's rare for chains to be truly mandatory in BC, but many routes will have signs that say chains or winter tires are recommended in winter beyond a certain point on the highway, and the route to Whistler is one of them. If conditions are really bad, they can turn you back if you don't have the chains or snowies. It can be raining in Vancouver but just south of Horseshoe Bay the weather pattern changes and all of a sudden it's snowing. Seen it quite a few times. Many people in BC get winter tires put on even though we don't always get a lot of snow. I'm one of them. I may not need them often, but when I do, I really need them, and I've certainly been caught without them when a snowstorm hits. I imagine California highways that snow up get their share of drivers from LA who never get snow tires, or ever drive in snow until they hit the mountains.



There will be snow around in Whistler in January(that's why you're going, right?); there's a little right now though the roads are clear. Chances are pretty good that the driving won't be so bad on major routes but the side roads could well be quite snowy and having 4WD could at least save you from getting stuck in the snow in your own driveway. I'd go for it, and make sure they put winter tires on it. Not all seasons which are no good in snow, but genuine winter tires. Since you have to make that plane, it will give you a lot of peace of mind. We do occasionally get storms that will put snow on the roads all the way from Whistler to Seattle.

Answer 2

Clearly Kael M. has never driven in the mountains of British Columbia. As for your question. It wouldn't hurt to have a 4x4. it's entirely possible that the road to Whistler will be clear and dry for your trip but it's also entirely possible that there will be major snowfall at that time of year. The road is plowed regularly but even so, if you hit a storm the better traction and drive control you have the better off you'll be. Chains can often be "strongly encouraged" or mandatory when driving through mountainous areas in the winter.

Answer 3

Drive To Whistler

Answer 4

I've been to Whistler many times also in the winter and snowing season. Usually don't need to prepare chains but if you worry about some roads just bring it in case of case. Have a nice trip.

Answer 5

How bad do you think canada is for weather?

considering there are like 10 lane highways running through BC i dont think you will need to worry about getting stuck and although a 4x4 would be nice in whistler you probably shouldnt rent one because driving it off road will wreck your rented truck and on top of that you will shell out like $1000 in fuel.



Try getting a nice front wheel or all wheel drive car with good snow tires, unless you intent on going rock crawling with a rented 4x4 you wont need it.



p.s.

Chains? are you serious? we put chains on our tractor to pull logs out of the woods in 3 feet of snow, no one uses chains on their cars unless they are plowing snow or something. Forget chains, 95% of the roads you will travel on will be paved and salted, and the other 5% are the dirt roads you accidentally ended up on. Oh yah, some places dont even want you to have studded tires, chains would be terrible on pavement.

Answer 6

I don't believe that is accurate