Winter is right around the corner. Some ski resorts have already opened and most of the others will open in the next few weeks. For many Canadians that means tackling snow-covered roads in a vehicle that is packed with family and/or friends and all of their gear. While a trip to the hill may happen much less often than commuting to work, it can be the reason a family decides what vehicle to buy. So, with that in mind, for this week we wanted to discuss a common question: What vehicle would you recommend for taking on a ski trip?
Mark Richardson
Kia Telluride
A good vehicle for skiing must have all-wheel drive fitted with winter tires for reaching the slopes before the roads are fully cleared, and be large enough to carry all the bulky winter luggage behind the second-row seats. A pass-through gap for skis between the rear seat backs is a nice feature, though four sets of skis and poles take up a lot of space and are best carried in a roof-top box. So my first choice is the Kia Telluride.
The Telluride shares its mid-size platform and many of its features with the Hyundai Palisade, but it has more off-road style, with chunkier fenders and an aggressive grille. That’s just looks, though – the most important thing is that it’s good value for money, starting at just over $54,000 before taxes. You don’t need all the extra stuff in the more expensive trim levels to drive safely and carry passengers comfortably, though if you really want to keep your skis inside the vehicle, you’ll need the more costly seven-passenger configuration, to leave space between the second-row seatbacks.
2021 Kia TellurideMark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Volvo XC90
If your budget is more generous, then I’ll recommend the $80,000 Volvo XC90. It feels even more spacious with its airy Scandinavian interior, and it’s about as safe as any vehicle can be on the road. Since witnessing Volvo’s crash testing and seeing examples of crushed Volvos that their passengers walked away from after horrific collisions, I’d be confident that I was giving my family as much highway security as today’s engineers can provide.
The most obvious revision is the slightly larger grille with cross-diagonal slats.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Miranda Lightstone
Land Rover Defender 110
No matter the mountain of choice, or if the roads are properly cleared, the Land Rover Defender’s advanced off-road technology can get you there with its terrain response system, coupled with the correct winter rubber, of course. The grass/gravel/snow drive mode automatically adjusts the Defender’s throttle, gearbox, differentials and suspension to ensure maximum traction at all times. Permanent four-wheel drive with a twin-speed transfer box that lets you choose between low and high gear for grip, even in slippery conditions, means the Defender will keep the ski-trip adventures on track.
Available roof racks, along with one of the largest interior cargo capacities (2,231 litres with the rear seats down, and almost 1,000 litres with them in place), means that even with five passengers in the middle-sized Defender 110 there is plenty of room for bags, boots and winter gear in the trunk. Available air suspension allows for height adjustment for a smoother ride and easier entry and exit for all passengers. Heated windscreen and windshield wiper jets keep visibility on point, no matter the temperature drop or precipitation.
The Land Rover Defender’s high-end capabilities come at a price, with the 110 starting just under $80,000 and topping out around $117,000 for the higher trim level, but even in base trim, this off-roader has the chops to handle any trip to the slopes.
The Defender blends the charm and look of old Land Rovers in a modern package.Kunal D’souza/The Globe and Mail
Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
If luxury isn’t as important in the grand scheme of things, the base $51,000 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is an ideal ski trip vehicle thanks to its reliability, highly customizable cargo system and off-road prowess.
Toyota’s TRD (Toyota Racing Development) models are built for low-end torque and to handle tough off-roading conditions, well-suited for those mountain explorations and secluded pistes. Available Crawl Control acts as a low-speed cruise control on extremely challenging terrain. And the advantage of a truck bed means all that wet, snowy gear remains in the back while passengers stay dry and warm in the cabin. Or the bed can be used for an excellent tail-gate party at the end of a day on the slopes.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 with a six-foot bed.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Kunal D’souza
Subaru Outback
There’s a new Subaru Outback that’s just come out, but it doesn’t really matter because the last one is just as good at whisking you up to your favourite ski resort, no matter how remote it might be.
Subarus are nothing fancy, but there’s something warm and fuzzy about their rugged dependability, especially on a frosty winter day. The Outback is utilitarian and, depending on the trim, it is covered in chunky body cladding. Driving uphill on snow-covered roads is what it was meant to do.
The 2026 Outback continues to creep toward full SUV status, but from some angles it’s still a wagon and will swallow skis, poles and boards with room to spare. The boxier than before aesthetic is also appealing, but more important is Subaru’s robust all-wheel-drive system, 220 millimetres of ground clearance and special off-road drive modes.
A base model goes for $43,584, and you get a 2.5-litre boxer-four with 180 horsepower. It’s not much, but it gets the job done. A more powerful turbocharged option is on offer if you want more power. All trims get a 12.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and all the off-road capability you’d ever need.
Gone is the wagon look, replaced by a more standard SUV look.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Audi RS6 (nothing wrong with dreaming)
The Subaru is the practical choice, but if you have more money to spend, much more, the $142,000 (before options) Audi RS6 Avant Performance will get you to the chalet in style. And with 621 horsepower and powerful brakes, a bit quicker too, as long as you don’t get pulled over for speeding.
2020 Audi RS 6 Avantsagmeister_potography/Courtesy of manufacturer
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