Getting about in the Cairngorms in late January

[deadtom]

Dear Scottish PHers,

I will be travelling from Yorkshire to Aviemore at the end of January and I am slightly concerned that getting about will be difficult at the snowiest time of year in the snowiest part of the UK. While it would be nice to go driving off up into the mountains to view the views, this would be optional as the important stuff is happening closer to civilisation (in Nethybridge, specifically)

Transport will be provided by my A6 Allroad on Dunlop SP Sport tyres, but I am considering buying a set of winter wheels with proper ice/snow rated tyres.

Am I:

a) worrying about nothing because the roads will be well cleared and anything with 4wd should get through on summer tyres?
2. right to worry about summer tyres but with a set of winters on it'll be fine^?
iii) a fool for trying to drive around that part of Scotland in any vehicle short of a snowcat at that time of year?

Thanks,

Tom

^should be fine^^

^^unless the snow goes properly mental

Edited by deadtom on Monday 22 November 11:21

[Webdunk]

I would think you would be unlucky for the A6 not to cope as equipped. Roads are generally well cleared.

If you are super keen on getting into the mountains proper and it happens to have snowed recently then winter tyres would certainly be a good wheeze. I put them on as a matter of course as I live in the Highlands - but with only RWD, it's more of an issue for me.

[simonw67]

I'd put winters on, snow can get heavy around aviemore

[Davie]

Ultimately, you've no idea what conditions you'll be faced with - it could be a nice, dry, bright albeit it very cold period or it could be a complete white out but in either situation, summer tyres aren't ideally suited to sub zero / wet / snow conditions but you might be fine or you might not, who knows really. 4wd is a bit irrelevant as on the wrong tyres in poor conditions, it'll become a 2 ton sledge with comparative ease when faced with descents, corners or stopping on the A9 after a quick snow flurry.

I've run Dunlop SP Sport previously and they are fine in the dry and warmer, wet weather but once the temperatures drop or the roads become muddy, covered in wet leaves, frost or snow... they are utterly crap, in fact comically bad in the latter but then they're a summer tyre so it'd be like trying to climb Ben Nevis in your gym trainers, in winter. I mean yes, perhaps doable if the weather is kind but not ideal and if the weather decides to go full riot mode, no chance frankly. I'd put a decent set of all seasons on and be done with it and if it gets too bad for them plus an A6 Allroad, I'd stay in the house.

[Audicab]

I was up there a couple of winters ago in heavy snow. The ploughs were out and very good but they were fighting a losing battle. I was also using some minor roads which weren't cleared as often.

I was in a front-wheel-drive Mini Countryman and took a pair of snow socks that were superb, didn't get stuck once and were very easy to change when the snow was cleared.

[simonw67]

Audicab said:

I was up there a couple of winters ago in heavy snow. The ploughs were out and very good but they were fighting a losing battle. I was also using some minor roads which weren't cleared as often.

I was in a front-wheel-drive Mini Countryman and took a pair of snow socks that were superb, didn't get stuck once and were very easy to change when the snow was cleared.

Were winter tyres no good without snow socks?

[journeymanpro]

Crazy to go on summers. Get some cross climates.

[deadtom]

OK, thanks all. It sounds like the consensus is option b, so I'll start looking for a set of decent winter tyres.

To be honest they would probably be a good idea even here in the hilly parts of Yorkshire where I live, so well worth doing.

[ShinyPsyduck]

The main roads through town are usually clear all the way up to the ski centre. I wouldnt worry.

[cts1975]

I take my motorhome snow hunting to Scotland in December/January with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tyres fitted. The only place I really need winter tyres is in the car park of the Glencoe Ski Centre and in the Cairngorms (Lecht/Glenshee). I've never known Aviemore to have any road issue with snow.
You will feel a whole lot better with winters as they perform so much better than summers in wet weather aswell. I leave the winters on my motorhome all year round.

[deadtom]

thanks for the replies everyone.

I've got a set of conti winter contacts on now so hopefully I will be all set to get around in the snow (hopefully there will be snow, that's why we're going)