The best vehicles for navigating Utah’s snowy canyon roads this winter

Utah’s ski season usually means deep snow, icy roads and rapidly changing conditions, so getting to the slopes safely requires more than wishful thinking and optimistic enthusiasm. It requires the right tool for the job or, you know, the right vehicle for road conditions.

While winter tires matter most, drivetrain choice also plays a key role in confidently climbing the steep, snowy roads to Utah’s slopes. All-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles, especially when fitted with winter tires, are your best bet for assured traction and control when the roads are slick and snowy. 

Here are some of the best all-wheel and four-wheel vehicles for Utah drivers who regularly head to the mountains in winter. 

Subaru Ascent, photo by Jason Bell

Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, Forester and Ascent — and maybe the WRX

Subarus have been a long-time favorite for Utah skiers, and for good reason. The Crosstrek, Outback, Forester and Ascent all come standard with Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, making them ultra capable in slick and snowy conditions. 

I’ve owned several Subarus and can attest that nothing is as confidence inspiring as their all-wheel-drive system when paired with snow tires. I’ve gone up hills covered in 6 inches of snow with no problem. It’s astounding. 

The Outback, Forester and Ascent offer the most interior space of the lineup, making them ideal to carry all your gear. They have excellent crash test ratings to boot. As the only Subaru to offer three rows of seating, the Ascent is your best bet for taking the whole family. The Crosstrek is also an excellent choice, but it is much more compact than the other Subarus, so you may run out of space quickly. 

As a former WRX owner, I can attest to its excellence and fun in the snow. The only drawback here is with ground clearance. The current generation WRX offers 5.4 inches, while the current generation Forester offers up to 9.3 inches. Those 3.9 inches can make all the difference once the snow gets deep.

Toyota RAV4, photo by Jason Bell

Toyota RAV4

Toyota’s all-wheel drive SUV and crossover lineup is a solid choice for Utah’s winter roads. Some models, such as the Grand Highlander and Crown, can get pretty big and heavy, but the ever popular RAV4 hits the sweet spot in size and capability. 

Honda CR-V

The same could be said for much of the Honda all-wheel drive lineup. However, the CR-V deserves a special callout here for how spacious it is without being too large. The CR-V, especially in its current generation and the Sport Touring Hybrid trim, is just about the perfect daily driver.

Honda CR-V, photo by Jason Bell

Kia Sorento and Telluride

Kia’s been on a roll lately, and they deserve a special shoutout. We owned a Telluride for several years as our family car and it was excellent in the snow. The other great thing about the Telluride is that it’s one of the most spacious midsize three-row SUVs in the segment. 

Kia’s offerings are also typically very strong value plays. If you want to roll up to the slopes immersed in affordable luxury and style, the Telluride and Sorento have you covered. 

Kia Telluride, photo by Jason Bell

Audi Q5 and SQ5

Like Subaru, Audi is known for its legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Any Audi is great in the snow, but the Q5 and its spicy sibling, the SQ5, strike the right balance of ground clearance and practicality, making them beasts on the slick stuff. Personally, I’d take the SQ5. More power is always a wonderful thing when going up the canyons and trudging through unploughed roads. 

Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator

For drivers who regularly face deep snow or want maximum off-road capability, the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are old-school and hard to beat. These tried and true four-wheel-drive adventure rigs are extremely capable and will get you where you want to go — especially in the Wrangler’s brawny 392 trim. 

For buyers looking for the best four-wheel-drive SUV experience no matter the terrain, these Jeeps remain among the top choices. 

Jeep Wrangler, photo by Jason Bell

2025 GMC Terrain

We only spent a short while with this newly revamped SUV, and we really liked it. Its size is manageable, and it was spacious inside. The heated seats and steering wheel were especially appreciated for colder days. 

AWD vs. FWD: What to know

Front-wheel-drive vehicles can perform adequately in the snow with proper winter tires, but all-wheel-drive vehicles offer several advantages. These include starting from a stop, turning, climbing hills and dealing with uneven or loose surfaces. In other words, if you’re a die-hard skier and must get to the slopes no matter what, all-wheel drive is for you. 

Final thoughts

No matter the vehicle, winter tires are the most important factor for safe travel to the slopes. Pairing them with a capable all-wheel-drive vehicle, however, can make winter driving much more predictable, confidence inspiring and less stressful. 

KSL Cars features thousands of all-wheel-drive cars and SUVs, as well as four-wheel-drive SUVs and trucks, giving Utah drivers a wide range of options for winter ready transportation.

Find your next ski car today on KSL Cars

*The makes and models mentioned in this article are not placed in any particular order, nor intended to be viewed as a ranked list. KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.