Four vehicles that will help you hit the slopes

The challenge in navigating Ski Country this time of year isn’t amount of snow or where to go; the challenge almost always comes down to how to get there. Weather can really throw a wrench into your plans, especially if you are without All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD). These vehicles could be your solution: 2013 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited, 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD, 2014 Audi Q5 TDI and 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited.

Our truck fans might be able to get behind the Tundra Crew Max.  It fits into the large 1500 truck category and won’t disappoint your passengers with the Crew Max configuration. The backseat room is pretty incredible with plenty of leg and headroom for taller passengers. Add a 361-hp 5.7-liter V8 engine, leather trimmed seats, heated front seats, electronically controlled part-time 4WD and a power rear window that rolls down and you have most of the creature comforts you would expect. Things you might want to add are a bed cover and ski rack to keep everything dry and tidy. Biggest gripe: no navigation on our test model and a thirsty engine at 15-mpg combined. Pros: Toyota reliability and 2014 gets an exterior and interior refresh. MSRP: $46,518

For those looking for a more compact and affordable car-based utility vehicle, the all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4 is worth a look in the CUV segment. The new face lift is dramatic from the previous generation shedding the swing out tailgate, V6 engine option and sliding rear seats. In its place you will find an All-Wheel Drive option paired to a standard 176-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. While the styling has been of much debate, it is fresh and with the current design trends. The RAV4 offers good room both front and rear and one of the nicest RAV4 interiors to date. Biggest gripe: flat spots in the four-cylinder’s power and lack of real leather trim. Pros: versatile size for in-town or open-road travel, good driving feel and road holding and an optional power liftgate. MSRP: $31,964

Keeping with the CUV theme, the 2014 Audi Q5 offers an upscale luxury spin on heading to the ski chalet. The Q5 has become more aggressive than previous generations with strong design cues front and rear including LED pipe lit running lights — similar to A4/A5 and Allroad. From a technology perspective you get everything you would expect from the Google Earth integrated navigation to heated leather trimmed seats and 3-zone climate control. New for 2014 is the Turbo Diesel or TDI engine with start/stop technology; a big win with an EPA 27-mpg combined rating. Biggest gripe: high price for a small vehicle. Pros: excellent electromagnetic steering, diesel mpg without the intrusive noise from yesteryears and class leading All-Wheel Drive.  MSRP: $51,945

For those not into the SUV/CUV or truck market, there are not a ton of options. Subaru really corners the market with the Subaru Outback. Our test car was outfitted in the Limited trim, which tops the range and gives a power boost with the 256-hp 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Outback fans will see a reduction in fuel economy from the four banger with the EPA combined rating of 20-mpg as opposed 26-mpg. The benefit is putting more power to the popular All-Wheel Drive system and being able to pass on the I-70 corridor. The Outback also has a raised independent suspension and some neat roof rails with integrated crossbars, though we aren’t sure how functional they really are. Biggest gripe: Plain interior, no navigation and small back-up camera screen. Pros: the ultimate in versatility, extra ground clearance and one of the best AWD systems available. MSRP: $34,365

*Note: Our print edition shows the Audi Q5 as a 2013. This was a typo; we just got too excited about all of the 2013 at the end of the year. The Audi Q5 model line added the TDI for the 2014 model year. -JM