Ah, winter in the Rockies – a magical time of snow-capped peaks, cozy ski lodges, and, of course, treacherous driving conditions on Interstate 70. If you’re a seasoned local, you know the drill: every time you plan a journey along this notorious stretch of road, you find yourself pondering the eternal question, “When should I brave the chaos of I-70?”

If you value your sanity (and your fender), it’s best to avoid I-70 during rush hour, weekends, and holidays. Think of it as trying to navigate through a minefield of impatient tourists and stressed-out locals – a recipe for disaster. And let’s not forget about those big snowstorms. While they may turn the landscape into a picturesque winter wonderland, they also transform I-70 into a slippery, white-knuckled nightmare. So, unless you have a burning desire to spend the night in your car, it’s probably best to wait until the plows have done their job.

You might be wondering if there’s a better time to make the trek to and from the Front Range, the plains east of the central Rockies (like Denver and the airport!). Well, the short answer is: not really. But you can prepare a survival kit to help you weather the storm – both literally and figuratively.

First on the list of essentials: water, snacks, a flashlight with charged batteries, and blankets that will keep you and your passengers warm in case you are stalled or stuck for 24 hours before you reach any kind of indoor accommodations, and a snow and ice scraper for your windows and windshield. Even in the summer, storms bring snow at high elevations, and most gas stations around the Rocky Mountains will sell them.

Do not rely on being able to keep your vehicle running over a long period of time; this is limited by gas (unless your vehicle is a Tesla, in which case it is limited by your electric charge), and falling snow clogging the exhaust pipe of a typical combustion engine can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You never know when you might find yourself stranded in a snowbank, praying for divine intervention – or at least a passing snowplow. And speaking of emergencies, don’t forget the toilet paper for times of desperation. Trust me, when nature calls and there’s nowhere to hide, you’ll thank me for this invaluable piece of advice. Next up, make sure you have a full tank of gas and extra windshield wiper fluid. Oh, and don’t forget the shovel and snow brush. 

Let’s also talk about vehicle capabilities. If you’re lucky enough to own a 4WD or AWD vehicle, count your blessings and use them wisely. And if not, invest in a set of chains and, more importantly, learn how to put them on before you find yourself in a slippery situation. And while we’re on the subject, snow tires are worth their weight in gold when it comes to navigating storms on I-70. If you are getting a rental car, make sure it has 4WD or AWD capabilities!

On to some recommendations for staying safe on the road. Take it slow. Don’t tailgate. Leave more room than you think behind the person in front of you, because you never know when they might hit the brakes – or the black ice. When traveling downhill, downshift instead of relying on your brakes. And last but not least, don’t use cruise control in wet or snowy conditions.

Here are some pro tips from full-time residents of Summit County, Colorado, where there are several ski resorts that see millions of visitors every year:

1. The best days to ski are often just after a blizzard passes, but the WORST times to commute are during or just after a blizzard passes. If you see a blizzard coming and want to make the most of your ski trip, push your commute up a day or two and plan to spend the blizzard AT your accommodations so getting to the fresh snow requires little or no driving. If paying more for an extra day or two of lodging isn’t in the budget, then neither is getting into an accident or having to be towed out of a ditch in a blizzard. The chances of you having to pull over or pay for lodging on the way to your destination are too high to make it worth the commute in a blizzard.
2. Weekends are unsurprisingly packed on the highways through the mountain corridors in Colorado. Leaving early in the morning or late at night are best for avoiding traffic, but keep in mind there may be more wildlife on the highways when it’s darker out, especially in the warmer months. Weekdays are almost always better for avoiding traffic both on the highway and on the trails.
3. Colorado Department of Transportation Safety Patrol Program does provide some courtesies to motorists that also serve to prevent and relieve traffic congestion in emergencies, including changing your flat tire, providing fuel, jump starting vehicles, clearing debris and more! Their website is one of the most comprehensive resources for your highway travel plans.
4. In the unfortunate event you are caught driving in a storm, snow or otherwise, it is so easy to panic and start worrying you will never see the end of it. But just like any other weather pattern, it doesn’t always maintain the same intensity and will eventually pass. Delays may only be a matter of minutes or hours. So use a reliable app or website to keep tabs on how long it might be before it is safe to proceed. If you insist on driving through a storm, keep your head and tail lights on. But a good rule of thumb is if you cannot see the road markers, you probably should pull over before you end up in a ditch.
5. When you cannot see the road markers, it will be tricky to determine where a safe space to pull off the road is. Observe where other motorists have safely pulled off the road. Large commercial vehicles are more heavily regulated than private vehicles, and they are expected to be more cautious, and large pullouts are provided to accommodate them along the Colorado highway. Look for where those trucks are pulled over while keeping a safe distance.
6. Here’s one final pro tip you may never have considered: footwear. You may have gotten into your cozy car wearing slippers or UGGs. But imagine having to get out and change a tire or grab blankets from the trunk in the pouring rain or a foot of snow in those. If the weather’s looking unstable, have a pair of shoes or boots you feel comfortable being outside in. (And don’t put them in the trunk.)

Useful links:

Weather, road conditions & closures, cameras: https://www.cotrip.org/home

@i70things on Instagram

https://www.codot.gov/programs/dmo/real-time-operations/traffic-incident-management/safetypatrol

Claire Bice is a physician assistant student who attends Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Utah with plans to go into emergency medicine and volunteer for search and rescue. Before PA school, she grew up in Visalia, California and then lived in Colorado her entire adult life. She attended University of Colorado at Boulder, worked at a dermatology office in Denver, then ski patrolled locally here at Copper Mountain. Her personal interests include snowboarding, mountain biking, live music, and taking her Australian shepherd on adventures!