Drive in Style While Headed to the Slopes!

by carman1970
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March 18, 2009

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5 of best vehicles that show Denver that you love to ski and/or snowboard (even if you don’t!). I LOVE Denver! Where else can you walk around outside in flip-flops and still ski? We have great driving roads too – some of the best in the country. So, I’ve cooked up a few vehicles that work great as ski machines and you can have a hell of a good time with on the back roads. Even if you don’t exactly ski (don’t be ashamed) you can still have fun on the way to a snowy retreat!

Mazda CX9

The Mazda CX9 comes with a stout 273 horsepower, 3.7 liter DOHC V6 power-plant married to a 6-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. Active Torque Split AWD is optional and makes the CX9 into a family friendly snow hauler. Mileage is not too bad for a crossover SUV of this size (I averaged about 19 mpg driving like I car-jacked one). What’s nearly as impressive as its great looks, comfortable 3-row interior and excellent ergonomics is its supremely good handling. This is a rare vehicle indeed as you can haul the family up to the peaks and enjoy the ride as a driver! Prices start at about $31,000 for the base, front-drive model and top out at about $42,000.

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Volkswagen Tiguan

With 200 horsepower and 206 lbs feet of torque the Volkswagen Tiguan is the GTI equivalent of a crossover SUV. In fact, some of the mechanicals came from the ubiqitous Volkswagen GTI (that’s a VERY good thing). The Tiguan S comes with a 6 speed manual (with an optional $1,000 6 speed automatic). Volkswagen’s 4Motion AWD system is available on the upper level SE and SEL packages. The excellent internal materials impart a real feeling of quality. The price spans from $24,000 base to around $38,000 well appointed. Although its competition is cheaper, few can match the 4Motion’s prowess in the snow and the superb build quality.

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Subaru Forester

Go to any ski area where locals hang out and I’m sure you will see quite a few Subarus. For decades, Subaru has built excellent snow machines that are rugged and reliable. This new Forester looks great and can take you to ANY ski area. With a starting price around $22,000 the Subaru Forester is a well priced, eminently snow happy SUV. The Subaru Forester comes with a 170 horsepower (that makes 170 lbs feet of torque) 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine. The 5-speed manual is standard on the non turbo models. The normally aspirated economy is 20 mph city and 26 mpg highway. The fast, 224 horsepower turbocharged XT Forester comes with a 4-speed automatic. I swear, at least 1/3rd of the Subarus I see in or near Denver have ski racks!

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Audi A4

With a 265 horsepower (that makes 243 lbs feet of torque) 3.2 liter V6, the Audi A4 is a competent commuter and weekend track car rolled into one. Handling, braking and acceleration are top notch as is the exquisite interior (one of the best in the business). The Quattro system is one of the best AWD systems built and allows for easy jaunts to the snowiest of peaks (for skiing or watching skiers). FWD models start at about $33,000 and go to less than $50,000 for the loaded 3.2 FSI Prestige Quattro. The ‘Avant’ version is essentially a station wagon version and makes for an even better ski machine. If you want to step up to even higher levels of performance – have a look at the insanely fast ‘S’ models with the 340 horsepower V8! Roof kits are available and with little effort you will look like a white collar skier – with good taste.

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Mitsubishi EVO X

The mighty Mitsubishi EVO comes with a turbocharged 291 horsepower (that cranks out 300 lbs feet of torque) 2.0 liter 4-cylinder. The AWD system is one of the best in the business. By selecting “tarmac,” “gravel” or “snow” you can modulate the aggressive AWD system to your liking. Available in a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed clutch-less manual/automatic (with paddle shifters), both models are super-car fast and can out handle a massive majority of factory built sports cars. Prices start around $32,000 for a base model and can easily climb to over $40,000. Folks, I’ve driven a few of these cars and I can say with great certainty that these are MONSTERS! Forget the skis – just take some corners and have a blast banging through the gears.

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