You know, it was funny this week when I heard we were going to get a “significant snowstorm” here in Western Pa, that two local school districts closed …..the day before the storm. The city schools followed suit along with other districts as people prepared for what was being reported as a winter storm that we have not seen in a while. Winters have been relatively mild around here for the last couple of years so when a low- pressure system was racing towards us from the Gulf of Mexico to collide with a western approaching cold front, the forecasters had us all in a tizzy with news reports of …………………..possible 2-4 inches. I mean, close the schools the day before for 2-4 inches? The western people and the New England people probably got a chuckle out of that seeing that they measure storms in feet rather than inches. I will hand it to PennDot and the local municipalities that they were prepared ,and when the storm hit……… they were ready. But I chuckled when I thought back to snow days that we had off as a kid. Snow that was thigh deep and the sleds and toboggans came out from the basements. Those were snow events. 

Fast forward a little bit to when I was in high school and I drove my mother’s yellow Buick Century convertible to school, and to the ski slopes when we had a snow day. My dad put big honker snow tires on the back and Portland cement bags in the trunk for me to get around in the winter seeing that my mother basically quit driving after she rear ended a garbage truck. Whenever we had a big snowstorm and the schools were closed,( usually for a foot or more of predicted snow), I packed my skis in the car between the seats and took off for the mountains. My folks were rather trusting souls as they were happy we were skiing and really had no issue with me driving to the mountains in the yellow Buick, as long as I was careful. School was cancelled but that was the green light to head for the mountains.  My friends and I had instant transportation and packed all our ski stuff into the Buick and headed for the turnpike. That rear wheel drive vehicle with the massive snow tires fared pretty well in the Laurel Highlands. Even as I fishtailed my way up County Line Road past stuck vehicles. I learned to be a pretty skilled driver in those days and snow days were welcomed instead of being dreaded. 

I mean, we are kind of getting a little soft these days when we call off school the day before for a potential 2-4 inch storm- right? Come on. We would have laughed at that as a kid, and I even still laugh at that now. I remember getting a little rambunctious with my friends one day as we put the top down and filled the back seat with snow and became a mobile snowball arsenal much to the delight of our fellow classmates. The one time, the top would not go back up and it was a bit brisk for a few days while my dad put a tarp on the Buick and gave me the hairy eye as he took it to get repaired. But all in all, that was a good snow vehicle on snow days for a kid that loved to ski. My dad even put a vanity plate on the back that read” Ski Bus”. Kind of a funny Pa. license plate but got a lot of laughs and comments. Especially in the summertime.  

Time moved on post college and I drove 4 wheel drive vehicles. I still drive them today with confidence because I know that 4- wheel drive is great for getting up hills and through the snow. What people don’t realize is that they are not invincible, and they will slide just like any other vehicle. I remember driving to Western New York one time with my wife and young son and watching fellow 4- wheel drive guys fly by me. I said to my son Jack, ” keep on eye on that vehicle Jack- you will see him stuck in the snow between the northbound and southbound lanes soon.” Sure enough, the inexperienced driver was absolutely stuck as he slid violently off the road. Four- wheel drive is great but they are not invincible. 

As the years have gone on, I have driven in some amazing snowstorms. On the way to our Laurel Highlands, to Vermont and Upstate New York, and out west in some very heinous conditions. A few years ago , I was having dinner with my pals in Tahoe and it snowed 2 feet while we were at dinner. When we got to my friend’s wife’s vehicle, an Astro van, I asked ” what do we do now?” He said- “you are the designated driver tonight, just get in and drive,” We made it back to his house without incident even though these huge 4- wheel drive pickup trucks were passing me like I was standing still. Many other times with these guys, I end up driving a rental 4 wheel drive pickup over glass like roads like RT 395 on the way to Mammoth. Or battling I -70 in Colorado.  They laugh at my cautious driving, but I always get them there in one piece even though they drive in these conditions all the time. But for some reason, I end up driving, and I think in some way, they are happy to have me drive- to needle me a little bit.  If you ski, you are going to encounter wild weather and the main thing is to be patient, drive for the conditions, and take your time. Most of my skill at winter driving was formed all those years ago driving the “Yellow Bomb”. I am grateful that my parents encouraged us to ski,and allowed me to have a vehicle to get there, complete with plenty of weight in the trunk and good tires. 

As a post- script, even though we only got around two inches here, the Laurel Highlands, got close to a foot. So, their caution with their school districts was warranted. But my Jeep Wrangler is always up for the job as I made my way down the turnpike to the ski areas. Just like I have done for over 50 years. But this time, I have vehicles that are excellent tools for the trade, even if we don’t get the big storms we got as a kid. Enjoy the winter, make use of the snowfalls that we do get, and don’t be afraid to drive in the storms. The right vehicles will make your effort worth the while. Thanks for reading. 

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