any recommendations for other Christmasy places to visit? first time visitor and I was hesitant about visiting Leavenworth for this reason. I love me some Christmas lights though

And as usual it’s often not the weather that’s the problem. For that we slow down and do quite fine. It’s all the other drivers that totally lack any sense while out in the white. Big SUV (I have one) or truck does not equal hood traction on the white. Quite the opposite. A light and nimble car always have better traction (grip to stay on the road). But drivers feel invincible in large 4x4 vehicles. And hence those are often the first in the ditch.

It’s literally just a novelty that’s fun a time or two. Way too expensive, nothing to do but spend money, and the food is all the same. It sucks that it’s such a gimmick that people fall for because the surrounding mountains are absolutely gorgeous and that’s the part that’s worth seeing.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this to you before, but all season tires do NOT work in snow. Especially over snowy passes or even in extreme cold temps. If you live in eastern Oregon or plan on driving over a pass this winter you should have dedicated snow/winter tires. Even the cheapest set is miles better than a simple all season that’s probably on your civic now

Looks great! Reminds me alot of Bill Watterson's style.

I hope that’s not true!!!

I drove from Leavenworth to Cle Elum a few years back in a major snow storm. I would not recommend it. That was in a CR-V, and I felt like death was around every curve.

Leavenworth sucks, there is absolutely nothing to do in the evening there

If there is or has been bad weather on Blewett pass (97) around when you’d take it, don’t take it. Especially if you’re not used to winter driving. Stevens (2) will be safer and easier to drive over. Granted with the recent fire 2 might be in rough shape.

But if it’s been clear for awhile then Blewett should be fine.

Take Amtrak.

Incredible!

I learned about driving in snow growing up in upstate New York. Most of what happens around here on snow days provides hours of entertainment for people from parts of the country that get real snow. BUT, it is a learned skill.

First of all, some short practice trips is a really good idea. Get the chains and learn to put them on. If you're driving a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, put the chains on the front tires. In really bad weather, put chains on all the tires.

Keep your speed down, remember, the four-wheel drive gets you going, but stopping and turning are a little more difficult.

Don't be afraid to just give up. Being overly cautious is better than being upside down in the ditch.

Twenty (ish) years ago we went to Idaho to visit wife's family. A storm followed us all the way across the state. It was not a fun drive and we won't do it again. Between North Bend and Cle Elum I starting counting cars in the ditch. I lost count at 26 when we had to snake our way across a bridge with about ten cars smacked together.

If the weather is good, you can just drive the civic. There are two routes from the Seattle area over to Leavenworth, I-90 to Blewitt Pass, or over Stevens Pass. I would generally favor the Snoqualmie to Blewitt route in winter, but weather conditions could make the optimal route situational.

I wouldn't drive two counties to go there, let alone from another state. It's one of those "stop by if you're in the area anyway and its been years since last time" kind of places.

Do tell on the nicknames? My in-laws live a bit past Home so we often stop there on the way out. Good beer selection and my BIL endorses their Bulgogi Pizza :)

Get snow tires for your car or rent one with snow tires and preferably AWD/4WD, you can't go over 30 mph with chains and there is probably 50+ miles of snow and ice on the drive there if the weather is bad. You may get lucky with the weather and the roads will be clear but it's a gamble. I went over I-90 Snoqualmie pass today and the roads were dry because they haven't gotten snow in over a week.

Leavenworth is a mega crowded tourist trap IMO. Worth checking out I guess if you live closer but not worth the trek from OR even with clear roads. Anyone else not a fan?

Good winter driving advice folks. I just don't know why someone would choose to go to Leavenworth... For closer OR options, Government Camp is more my pace/vibe.

Wow!! This is so evocative.

So pretty.

Just take hwy 97 through central WA instead of I5 and hwy 2 -basically same distance and you avoid the worst pass (hwy 2). If the weather is really bad take an extra detour at Ellensburg to go through Wenatchee. Typically not much snow via this route.

Get chains and learn how to put them on your car before the trip, you'll be fine. Be prepared for the drive to take a long time if the weather turns shit.

IMO the rental idea isn't very good -somebody's random 4WD that you aren't used to driving isn't going save you if you don't know how to drive in snow. I see tons of people in very capable vehicles crash in pretty mild snow, while the careful drivers going slow with chains on their fwd cars do just fine.

If you haven't driven in the snow line up a 4wd or Awd rental as backup but if the weather is good you could probably just drive your civic. You need to carry chains you can get them at Les schwab and return the for a full refund in the spring if you don't have to use them.

3 - Park in Monroe and hitch a ride with a trucker.

Seriously though, practice in Oregon first. Take her to a ski lodge for lunch on a weather warn day and see how you do on a short trip. You definitely want AWD, chains on hand and experience in snow before messing with highway 2 coming from the west. I5 east and then north over Blewett may be easier based on conditions.

Yeah, what I describe may be overkill and exaggerated. But if you spin out, cause a major wreck and manage to survive, the people who get stuck for hours waiting for the WSDOT to clean things up may let you know what they think about inexperienced drivers. :-)

Aaand you have a new follower. Your work is stellar.

You’ll want a 4x4

Your car would be fine if there aren’t any weather incidents. If there are, you’ll end up stuck.

It took us 10 hours to get from Leavenworth to Portland in a heavy 4x4 last year. It was rough. Real blizzard pushing through