Roads up north

Chains. Whatever you decide to take have a set of chains. Cheap insurance

 

@AModelCat

He's from Canada he might be able to tell you a little better but I would think it's going to be ice cold and snowy and everything else.

I would never want to go up north in the winter like that. I'm not sure about that part of Canada but in February when you go north I mean you can be in -20 - 30° weather.

I would try to reschedule it for a warmer time but other than that I'm sure someone else can give you better exact advice.

 

ROAD TRIP !!!!!

take the Durango, it's rear wheel drive and with a set of chains, good snow/all terrain tires it will be like a tank.

 

@beastr123

 

Main highways generally aren't terrible out in Alberta. As long as you aren't travelling during a storm or freezing rain the roads are usually bare and dry. Wind tends to polish up the roads on the prairies so be diligent for ice. Municipal roads or lesser travelled rural highways can be a little hit or miss.

In all honesty, I've never seen a car or light pickup with chains on in my entire life. Its the law to have winter rated tires on light vehicles from Oct to March here. Couple that with the fact easily 98% of pickups and SUVs here are 4x4 chains aren't really needed for everyday driving.

Definitely would not fault anyone for putting chains on if they felt the need to. Its all about getting to the destination safe and sound.

 

I live in Alberta and most of the snow is gone off my front lawn even. I haven't used 4x4 in my pickup for a few days.

Depending on when you come, a Chinook wind could roll through and take most of the snow with it. We get large dumps of snow and very cold weather but also periods of time where the wind shifts off the mountains, T-shirt weather rolls around and the snow is gone over a few days.

I have never seen a 4 wheeler chain up, ever. I drove a Chevy Caprice for years (and year round) without issue. A Durango shouldn't have issues as long as you have decent tread left on your tires.

Depending on where in Alberta can make a difference. Google search "AMA Road Report" and look at the online road map before you come (Alberta Motor Association). If the roads are green they are likely completely bare. Yellow is also easily travelled. The roads have to be red on the map for things to start getting sporty.

 

Unless you are going off road you will not need chains if you have good tires rated M+S.
Even all season tires if you are not on snow covered or icy roads if in the "flat" country. Once you venture west of highway #2 in Alberta or east of the Manitoba border or north of the North Saskatchewan river then M+S tires are required.
The Durango will be great unless you plan on going off road.
In the case of a 4X4 remember that the 2WD will be in the ditch, the 4X4 will be upside down or much further in because the inexperienced driver has too much confidence in 4X4.

 

Twitter sites on roads

 

I would carry blankets in case you break down. Or something of that ilk.