911's in ski resorts
Discussion
Hi, Newbie here, with perhaps a daft question.
How would a 911 (997 or 993) cope in trips to/from & around ski resorts ?
Would a C4/C4S be essential, or at east a huge improvement, and/or skinny wheels with winter tyres?
Is there space under the aches to fit chains (legal requirement in some access roads)
And would manual help, for slightly more clutch control than tiptronic?
Comments hopefully from owners who have actually taken their cars out in the snow most appreciated
How would a 911 (997 or 993) cope in trips to/from & around ski resorts ?
Would a C4/C4S be essential, or at east a huge improvement, and/or skinny wheels with winter tyres?
Is there space under the aches to fit chains (legal requirement in some access roads)
And would manual help, for slightly more clutch control than tiptronic?
Comments hopefully from owners who have actually taken their cars out in the snow most appreciated
I use my 996 C4S every winter in the snow/mountains.
They are great in the snow, and a lot of fun too- lots of traction with the weight at the back, and very controllable/predictable- this is where having all the controls under-servoed really helps- you can feel what's going on beneath you.
Winter tyres are a must have though.
Never driven in deep enough snow to need chains (which I don't have)
edited to add a few more comments: Mine's a manual; I think the 2wd cars would still be pretty good; the rear winter tyres on mine are 265s (as opposed to 295s).
They are great in the snow, and a lot of fun too- lots of traction with the weight at the back, and very controllable/predictable- this is where having all the controls under-servoed really helps- you can feel what's going on beneath you.
Winter tyres are a must have though.
Never driven in deep enough snow to need chains (which I don't have)
edited to add a few more comments: Mine's a manual; I think the 2wd cars would still be pretty good; the rear winter tyres on mine are 265s (as opposed to 295s).
Edited by Whitean3 on Monday 9th December 08:59
They are amazingly capable in the snow, I've taken my 997.1 (C2S manual X51) all over the Alps Austira, Switzerland, France, Itally... for many winters and it's been fine. Taken it through blizzards, on trains, up and down icy roads for well over 10k of it's odometer... be sensible and you'll be fine.
You must get winter tyres (preferably on 18's) to be realistic... the capability is such that I was going places an RR Sport on summer tyres wasn't last year! Mine's on the 20mm lower sus which doesn't hamper it as much as I'd have thought unless it's really deep.
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Nothing is cooler in a ski resort also ;-)
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Oh and re chains, not really much room. They make those socks for the winter tyre sizes tho and they work alright on ice but realistically you won't need them if your winter tyres are fresh.
Edited to say:
Manual always better for control in snow... but only IMHO (don't want to start a PH slagging match)!
You must get winter tyres (preferably on 18's) to be realistic... the capability is such that I was going places an RR Sport on summer tyres wasn't last year! Mine's on the 20mm lower sus which doesn't hamper it as much as I'd have thought unless it's really deep.
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Nothing is cooler in a ski resort also ;-)
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Oh and re chains, not really much room. They make those socks for the winter tyre sizes tho and they work alright on ice but realistically you won't need them if your winter tyres are fresh.
Edited to say:
Manual always better for control in snow... but only IMHO (don't want to start a PH slagging match)!
Edited by sneakybear on Monday 9th December 12:17
Edited by sneakybear on Tuesday 10th December 12:37
A numpty mate of mine once drove his 996 C4 to Verbier on summer tyres......had a shocker on the journey there "never been so frightened" and then couldn't get the car out as it snowed whilst he was there. Some people are just like that though....he turned up in leather soled shoes and his Mrs in high heels. First thing they did was go to the local boot shop.
They were living in Monaco at the time and had previously been to a low resort in Italy and never had to deal with "proper" conditions.
They were living in Monaco at the time and had previously been to a low resort in Italy and never had to deal with "proper" conditions.
997.2 C2S on winters is a hoot in snow - I originally was going to buy a C4S but consensus was that a 2S on winter tyres was perfectly capable (which it has proven to be) in snow, up the the point when it runs out of ground clearance and the radiator air scoops turn into shovels. Most alpine resorts are very good at clearing deep stuff, so much of the time your concern is with running on hard-packed surfaces, which is no problem. Whatever you do though, do NOT try to take on the local grandmothers in their Renault 5s…
i've driven all my 911s in the snow, short and long haul without any problem (993, 993 turbo and 997.1 GT3RS)
Winter tyres are "a must", snow tyres a luxury, and have a pair of "snow socks" for fresh snow in case this isnt enough...but good winter tyres should get you to any ski resorts in Europe.
Enjoy!
Winter tyres are "a must", snow tyres a luxury, and have a pair of "snow socks" for fresh snow in case this isnt enough...but good winter tyres should get you to any ski resorts in Europe.
Enjoy!
Having lived in Switzerland for many years and visiting the ski resorts at the weekends, I see many 911's. All have winter tyres (and I mean all) and most CH cars are anyway 4 wheel drive but key is the tyres. I have never (and I mean never) needed to use chains in 11 winters here.
I was on the point of getting a GTS a few weeks ago and as part of the deal were winter tyres and wheels (centre locks) as here all cars run these from late October to March.
I was on the point of getting a GTS a few weeks ago and as part of the deal were winter tyres and wheels (centre locks) as here all cars run these from late October to March.
I remember in the US Rockies, when conditions were poor they closed roads to all vehicles unless they had chains fitted or 4 wheel drive.
So in the Alps are you allowed on access roads to ski resorts with just snow/winter tyres and that you do not have to have a set of chains with you?
So in the Alps are you allowed on access roads to ski resorts with just snow/winter tyres and that you do not have to have a set of chains with you?
Whitean3 said:
I use my 996 C4S every winter in the snow/mountains.
They are great in the snow, and a lot of fun too- lots of traction with the weight at the back, and very controllable/predictable- this is where having all the controls under-servoed really helps- you can feel what's going on beneath you.
Winter tyres are a must have though.
Never driven in deep enough snow to need chains (which I don't have)
edited to add a few more comments: Mine's a manual; I think the 2wd cars would still be pretty good; the rear winter tyres on mine are 265s (as opposed to 295s).
Just about to swap my 996-4S over to winters, but do the 265 rears work OK on the standard 11J rim, the book says 10's..?They are great in the snow, and a lot of fun too- lots of traction with the weight at the back, and very controllable/predictable- this is where having all the controls under-servoed really helps- you can feel what's going on beneath you.
Winter tyres are a must have though.
Never driven in deep enough snow to need chains (which I don't have)
edited to add a few more comments: Mine's a manual; I think the 2wd cars would still be pretty good; the rear winter tyres on mine are 265s (as opposed to 295s).
Edited by Whitean3 on Monday 9th December 08:59
At the start of the year I was caught by snow and had to do the short drive out of the old pits at Spa to Hotel De La Source in snow in a GT3 on Cups... I wouldn't recommend that certainly , but I have acquired winters for it this year and expect it to be fine. The earlier point about ground clearance is valid though - it wouldn't take much snow depth for you to be driving a plough...
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