Fenlon123

Anyone that's familiar with Colorado Springs know where I can practice driving in snow and ice without having to worry about being harassed by police? This winter is going to be my first time in the snow so I'd like to get some experience lol.


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winmag4582001

Mountains are cold but dry right now. I've been over Eisenhower, Hoosier, Kenosha, berthoud and NOTHING.... Hope the snow starts hammering or winter climbing is going to suck this year!

flstffxe

In the past I have had good luck with one of our local hardware stores. Stopped in during the week to talk to the manager. Explained we were going to give the Misses some seat time in her new car in the snow(braking technique, skid control.....) and asked if the the employee/loading lot behind the store(I'd say 200" x 700") would be OK if we did it after hours and it would be just us two. He said yes, gave me a note with his cell number for the officer to call if they stopped.

Worked out great.

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good dog

While I'm not in Colorado Springs, any new vehicle that I have ever had has been snow tested in empty or near empty shopping mall parking lots. Always know where curbs are placed before hand. Finding the limits of traction before it starts to slide is tricky as weather and road conditions will vary and you may not have the room on a road-way to correct the slide (think on-coming traffic and the laws of physics) in real world driving conditions as you do in a wide open parking lot.

Also think of it this way, anywhere you can drive to or on, is either owned by the state or publicly or privately owned which mean traffic laws can be applied ($$). Hopefully there are some friendly places you can gain some experience without attracting the police or them having any concerns with you sharpening your winter driving skills.

If you are practicing starting and stopping and the occasional drift, they are not likely going to be to concerned other than property damage if you loose control. Many malls have security cameras now and it could be up to the discretion of the property owners to notify police that this is not acceptaple use of their facility, paving the way for them to write tickets.

If all you were thinking was doing donuts and hand-brake slides, you are at the mercy of the property owners and especially the police where it could be considered reckless/careless driving regardless of it being off the public streets.

And while this thread may have been trolling, the advice given regarding hand-brake slides is real. E-brake slide question

I think everyone who drives in snowy conditions for more than a couple of winter months will tell you the Forester is almost unstoppable and we all likely push it to find the limits but keep in mind there are other people on the road who are or may be less skilled than we think we are in our Subaru's.

I guess what I'm trying to say is respect the limits of the cars capability, have some fun, but the goal is to 'drive to arrive' this winter.

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Fenlon123

Thread Starter

I think all that ill be doing is mostly getting a feel for the car in snow, accelerating and braking, try to break the cars grip and regain control. Trying to stick with practical things, definitely no e brake slides or donuts.
Just want to practice for the worst case scenario although in reality ill most likely avoid going out or just drive extra slow.

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Fenlon123

Thread Starter

Sounds like a great idea, will definitely ask a few places around here. I suppose if anything there is a few old abandoned parking lots around that I could go to at night.
Thanks for the input.


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miner3do

I'm from the springs originally. There are a few places out by the airport you could go if your looking for a big open area that is out of the way. The softball complex just north of the airport on powers is a good place and the old parking lot across the street from lowes on powers works well too. I'll be back home for a week at Christmas if you need anyone to practice with I'll have my fxt, and would be happy to join you

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Loscaldazar

Yeah, make sure you know where the curbs are. Kid at my school managed to drift sideways into a curb while screwing around. Wrecked both front tires, both rims, and parts of the suspension. Repair bill was well over a grand. It was only the 4th "accident" he had been in in less than 6 months too!

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Fenlon123

Thread Starter

Ill have to check those places out once it starts snowing here.
Sounds good, If we could meet up sometime when your over here and snow finally falls that would be great man.


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Fenlon123

Thread Starter

Ill keep my eyes peeled, I'd hate to have something like that happen.


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pigboat_2

Hey man, I'm in the Springs too and yeah it's totally dry here.

Your first step should be getting some snow tires, preferably on a second set of rims, so you can just throw them on when it snows and take them off when it's dry again. You don't eat through the soft compound snow tires have if you do this.

I would try some places like the Mr. Biggs parking lot, definitely some office building lots (there's a lot on Garden of the Gods west of Centennial), and maybe the world arena if you can get in there. What part of town are you in? I would definitely be down to go with you, snow lot driving is really fun.

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Vanimaniac

Whatever you do, stay away from South Carefree and Powers during a snow storm :)


The biggest idiot is the guy at 5:50 in the pick em up truck who thinks he can make it up the hill when clearly 20+ cars are already wrecked alongside the road.

Van

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Fenlon123

Thread Starter

Right now I have good year assurance tires with some good tread still, unfortunately I won't have money for new tires for awhile.
It would Be nice to get a few people from this forum to meet up at a parking lot for snow driving, winter subie meet maybe get some pics of our rides haha.
I live in south springs.


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Fenlon123

Thread Starter

Hey, 4x4 means you can do anything :) haha
I remember seeing this awhile back it was pretty crazy.


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miner3do

My parents live near south carefree and oro blanco, I'll be in town the 22 through Jan 2nd I'd be down for a meet and some pictures


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