We took the dog up the Horse Shoe Pass today, on the way back I thought about Panorama or worlds end, Minerva, they are two roads that are quite steep and go to a reasonable elevation so views are good, I had the camera with me for snowy landscapes BUT we were met with this on the two roads.

Half expected as a lot of snow fell in Wales.

Frustrating! Whatever rubber you're on at the moment, I think you were right not to try to turn round at the cones. No way of knowing what, if anything, was under the snow on the verge.

I am on Bridgestones with about 3mm on them so not wise at all!

I was suitably impressed by the traction up at the Ponderosa cafe, a lot of snow on the ground and we had no problem where others were spinning wheels up.

Thanks ever so much for sharing and it does indeed beg another question/discussion piece from me.

I live on quite a steep hill (probably 1 in 2 or even 2 in 3 at parts) and with more than a couple of inches of snow on the ground my current Octavia vRS just wont get up it. However I've now ordered a 2WD Yeti Greenline, and I am wondering with it being two wheel drive, will it be any better getting up the hill in the snow than the vRS or will I still have the same problems?

What do you more experienced Yeti drivers all think?

I would imagine snow tyres would help you with two wheel drive. I have 4 wheel drive and have found grip to be very good when it comes to drive and or traction on standard tyres, however, this gives you a sense of security that gets shattered when it comes to stopping on standard tyres in the snow! I will be getting winter tyres for next year because of this.

Thanks James, it's certainly something I'll have to consider. Just been reading a tyre size thread and as I'm not a car buff, one thing I read did spring out at me that smaller 16" tyres (I'll be getting that size on the Yeti) are apparently loads better on snow than larger ones. I've currently got 18" on my vRS, so if that's right the Yeti will be better than that, and that's all that really matters I think.

That makes sense, when you watch the rally and the guys are on snow they always have skinny tyres on.

What made you choose the greenline after a VRS?

I bought the vRS 3 years ago after having a sports car (RX8) and previously a number of executive company cars (a couple of Mercs, a couple of BMWs and a Lexus). I wanted something sporty still but also had wanted a Skoda for a while (since they got good after VW Audi et al) and wanted something a bit more practical than the little two seater I'd previously had, hence the vRS.

But now the poor fuel economy is too much in the vRS as I'm doing a lot more annual mileage than I was due to work changes. And well I'd wanted an SUV type thing since I was a kid wanting a Range Rover. And well that's pretty much why I chose the Yeti as I love Skodas and wanted the SUV. As for the Greenline, that was mainly down to the brilliant fuel economy, along with the next to nothing road tax and insurance that'll be half the price of my current vRS insurance.

I must be getting old and turning into my frugal father (who also now drives an Octavia).

You and me both, I have this Yeti for another 18 months, I am then considering a green line again for tax reasons, I get hammered on the 170 tdi!

I can imagine.

I'm something of a maths and spreadsheet geek myself and did one for comparing the vRS costs against the Greenline costs. With my current mileage (1200 a month), the Greenline will actually save me about £1500 a year (inc fuel, tax and insurance).

I have company car with fuel so the 159 co2 emission on the Yeti is costing a lot in tax, com car.net shows around £460 a month taken from my take home in tax, so efficiency, economy and more money for me is the way forward.

Yeah I have to admit before I looked into it, I had always assumed having an SUV would mean massive road tax, so I was staggered when I saw that it was £150 LESS than the vRS. Then finding out the insurance was £250 LESS was even more surprising for me, but as I say I'm no car buff.

I'll try to post on here about how close to the book listed economy figures I get when the Yeti arrives myself too; so watch this space.

I know I currently get around 90% of the book listed combined economy on the vRS, so if I get the same or even better on the Greenline Yeti, that'll save me another £1100+ a year, so I'll definitely be quids in.

Edited 29 March, 201313 yr by wilkenstein

I have averaged 44 mpg over 73k miles from the 170 tdi.

I will keep an eye out for the info when you post it. I find economy gets battered on the motorway with a head wind, Yeti isn't the sleakest of cars.

Well the vRS is averaging just under 35mpg after so even 44 would be a blessing for me, haha. I'm expecting closer to or above 55 from the Greenline though, especially as three quarters of my miles are on the motorway.

What if it's a trailing wind though, doesn't the 'sleekness' or lack there of make it act like a sail? hahaha.

it is like a sail! I get 50+mpg with a tail wind, I also tuck in behind a coach or big van as these do about 70 mph and this makes a big difference.

Tinned out as we say in Yorkshire!

Lunch time today on the way back from in the a few days Lake District called in at Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes for some cheese Gromit.

Then decided to take the Beggarmans road over the top to Kettlewell.

Road was clear with snow piled on the sides and no problem until......

1700 ft up just past Long Slack Gate viewing point the road was covered and last weekends snow was drifted up to 3ft deep across the previously ploughed road. No tracks so nowt had recently come up or down, drove on into deepening snow with protestations from SWMBO but then told to get out and check the way ahead.(SEE PHOTO).

Discretion the better part of valour although a great urge inside to press on (if I`d had a mate with me!!!). Must admit the descent down into Upper Wharfedale and Buckden could have been hairy especialy if I could not see the edge of the road and getting stuck or even worse would have have left me with egg on my face. SWMBO said there was no way she would dig Yorkie out with the emergency shovel.

Tinned out,reversed back up through the snow (no problem) and returned to Hawes with tail between legs.

Largest drift spotted on way back only 5 miles from home side of main road Keighley to Halifax est 18ft and that was 5 days after last snow! Been rough up here!!!

Cheers :beer:

Peter.

I went to Keighley on Thursday, I tried to go up over the Wycoller road from Colne but it was closed, headed towards Skipton and then took a right towards middle ford, snow was very deep and I followed a JCB at one point, got there though, it is very tempting to think you will be ok but when you do get stuck the little Yeti is a heavy lump to dig out.

I left Crossroads and headed towards Halifax on the A629 (I think) Snow drifts were massive but the road had been cleared.

Ponderosa Cafe was shut until Wednesday!

I wonder how Peter (Tristar) is getting on up at Dylife?

It dished up a lovely steak and kidney pie today Graham. we went from Corwen over the pass and then through Llangollen eventually getting to the A483 and back towards Chester.

A lot of snow piled up high on the road sides.

Around town most of our snow has now gone, but one of the roads to work is still narrowed by about a third by some deep snow drifts.

We took the dog up the Horse Shoe Pass today, on the way back I thought about Panorama or worlds end, Minerva, they are two roads that are quite steep and go to a reasonable elevation so views are good, I had the camera with me for snowy landscapes BUT we were met with this on the two roads.

Half expected as a lot of snow fell in Wales.

Hard to recognise those roads with the snow! It was sunny the last time I drove there, back in September.

As mentioned in a few posts from members, check your route before setting off. Videos of look where I took my Yeti may look good, videos of being rescued ????

As mentioned in a few posts from members, check your route before setting off. Videos of look where I took my Yeti may look good, videos of being rescued ????

I hear what you are saying but if you can get to a point where the road is closed then you can get back the way you came.