Moving to Alaska - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

onefastchick · 03-12-2013, 10:49 PM

Ok so go on break my heart, am I actually going to be able to drive my car in the winter? We are moving to Fort Richardson/Anchorage from Kentucky this summer and I have a feeling Im going to have to buy a beater for the winter months. I lived in Chicago for many years so Im familiar with driving in the snow and ice but worry that the road conditions will be horrible for my car. Any suggestions or advice? Is there anything I can do to prepare my car for the move to a MUCH colder climate? Does anyone up there actually drive their Camaro in the winter?

CHMSC · 03-12-2013, 10:56 PM

Not sure but I would buy a big jacket lol

There are a few members on here from there, hopefully they will chime in to give you some info.

Steve Dallas · 03-12-2013, 11:05 PM

My understanding from a friend that grew up in Anchorage is that the roads are pretty rough and though you can drive your car...get used to snow and generally poor conditions a lot of the time.

SSMickey · 03-12-2013, 11:22 PM

I would call a dealer up there and ask them what needs to be done. I know you will need engine block heater and a battery blanket and I'm sure a few more things but I'm not positive.

Iroczlover · 03-12-2013, 11:27 PM

They pack the snow with sand so it becomes a snow packed road. so YEA it will be good to buy a beater
most likely something with 4wheel drive.

CHMSC · 03-13-2013, 12:21 AM

Send this member a pm he is in Alaska

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/member.php?u=49851

RED DEMON SS · 03-13-2013, 04:05 PM

I just moved from North Pole Alaska after living there for over 20 + years and let me tell you in Anchorage the winters really suck and so do the roads, they do not use Salt but they use gravel on the roads, so if you want you Camaro to survive with the poor paint on them i suggest you either buy a beater or get 3M Ventureshield on all front facing pieces, also on your windshield because it will get broke if you don't!
In North Pole it was the extreme cold for 8 months a year that killed us, in Anchorage not even as close to the cold in the interior but a whole lot more snow. Good luck and the Summers are absolutely beautiful there!

deanoscold · 05-11-2013, 09:32 AM

BUY A BEATER WITH A HEATER. Park the camaro.....or you'll wish ya did.

HaulnJ · 05-14-2013, 03:26 AM

Park it ,with adverse winter conditions we've had lately you will be a lot happier only driving it during the summer. Late april to Late oct usually. So be prepared to get a beater with a heater. I know a few people that put Blizzaks on their Camaro and drive them year round but the gravel and conditions make them look pretty rough, especially a SS.

heRS · 05-14-2013, 11:05 AM

I'm nowhere near Alaska and I park mine for the winter. They use sand/gravel/salt on the roads here in WA. It's totally worth it to get yourself a 4x4 here in the lower 48 to take with you because you'll have to pay premium dollar for one once you get to Alaska.
Yeah, I miss driving my Camaro 5 months out of the year but it is like Christmas every spring when I can finally pull ol' Trigger out and go for a cruise!

onewaydave · 01-01-2014, 03:48 PM

I see a lot of Camaros up here, I for one store mine! "Advise 2nd set of snow tires" and don't get attached to the paint and windshield!
So you here in Anchorage now!

Ammo25 · 01-01-2014, 09:14 PM

I grew upp in Anchorage and yup the roads can get nasty especially after/during storms. You can drive your Camaro on nice days when the roads are clear without much of a problem. I drove a friends 280Z sevral times and never had problems. Your Camaro should not need a block heater in Anchorage, but it wouldn't hurt if it is parked outside (no garage). Since you mention Ft Rich... Hit the Lemon Lot there or on Elmendorf side as soon as you get there. Good deals can be had. Good luck and enjoy your time up there! I miss it every day.

alaskacamaro · 01-06-2014, 09:24 PM

You CAN drive your camaro in the winter in Anchorage but I would highly highly recommend storing it between late September till late April.

Summers are great in the anchorage area. Lots of cruising roads and not a ton of traffic, at least not like your used too.

Be glad to see another 45th around. Not sure if there're anymore up here.

03-12-2013, 10:49 PM	#1
onefastchick Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS Vert Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NE Florida Posts: 5	Moving to Alaska Ok so go on break my heart, am I actually going to be able to drive my car in the winter? We are moving to Fort Richardson/Anchorage from Kentucky this summer and I have a feeling Im going to have to buy a beater for the winter months. I lived in Chicago for many years so Im familiar with driving in the snow and ice but worry that the road conditions will be horrible for my car. Any suggestions or advice? Is there anything I can do to prepare my car for the move to a MUCH colder climate? Does anyone up there actually drive their Camaro in the winter? __________________ Luna 2017 2SS Vert

03-12-2013, 10:56 PM	#2
CHMSC ROAD COURSE JUNKIE Drives: 2012 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Somewhere Posts: 4,868 View My Garage	Not sure but I would buy a big jacket lol There are a few members on here from there, hopefully they will chime in to give you some info. __________________

03-12-2013, 11:05 PM	#3
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	My understanding from a friend that grew up in Anchorage is that the roads are pretty rough and though you can drive your car...get used to snow and generally poor conditions a lot of the time. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

03-12-2013, 11:22 PM	#4
SSMickey Drives: 2010 IBM 2SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Columbia S.C. Posts: 1,455 View My Garage	I would call a dealer up there and ask them what needs to be done. I know you will need engine block heater and a battery blanket and I'm sure a few more things but I'm not positive. __________________ ProCharger P1X, Vengeance Racing Kaotic Cam, ARH Headers and Exhaust with Borla ATAK mufflers, MGW Shifter, MTI Drop Springs, Forgeline RB3C Wheels, 3.91 gears, Night Owl LED Control System

03-13-2013, 12:21 AM	#6
CHMSC ROAD COURSE JUNKIE Drives: 2012 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Somewhere Posts: 4,868 View My Garage	Send this member a pm he is in Alaska http://www.camaro5.com/forums/member.php?u=49851 __________________

03-12-2013, 11:27 PM	#5
Iroczlover The Krazzy bytch Drives: Which car I have 9 vehicles? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Yelm, wa, Hell if I think about it to much Posts: 7,918	They pack the snow with sand so it becomes a snow packed road. so YEA it will be good to buy a beater most likely something with 4wheel drive.

03-13-2013, 04:05 PM	#7
RED DEMON SS OFF THE CHAIN Drives: PSHHH UWISH Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: This Side Of Hell Posts: 8,406 View My Garage	I just moved from North Pole Alaska after living there for over 20 + years and let me tell you in Anchorage the winters really suck and so do the roads, they do not use Salt but they use gravel on the roads, so if you want you Camaro to survive with the poor paint on them i suggest you either buy a beater or get 3M Ventureshield on all front facing pieces, also on your windshield because it will get broke if you don't! In North Pole it was the extreme cold for 8 months a year that killed us, in Anchorage not even as close to the cold in the interior but a whole lot more snow. Good luck and the Summers are absolutely beautiful there! __________________

05-11-2013, 09:32 AM	#8
deanoscold Drives: 2013 2SS/1LE Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Folsom Posts: 117 View My Garage	BUY A BEATER WITH A HEATER. Park the camaro.....or you'll wish ya did.

05-14-2013, 03:26 AM	#9
HaulnJ Drives: 2010 SS/RS LS3 GFX Heritage grill Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anchorage, Ak. Posts: 181	Park it ,with adverse winter conditions we've had lately you will be a lot happier only driving it during the summer. Late april to Late oct usually. So be prepared to get a beater with a heater. I know a few people that put Blizzaks on their Camaro and drive them year round but the gravel and conditions make them look pretty rough, especially a SS.

05-14-2013, 11:05 AM	#10
heRS Raised by Wolves Drives: IBM 2010 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 5,981 View My Garage	I'm nowhere near Alaska and I park mine for the winter. They use sand/gravel/salt on the roads here in WA. It's totally worth it to get yourself a 4x4 here in the lower 48 to take with you because you'll have to pay premium dollar for one once you get to Alaska. Yeah, I miss driving my Camaro 5 months out of the year but it is like Christmas every spring when I can finally pull ol' Trigger out and go for a cruise! __________________ Tori click the sig pic to view my build thread

01-01-2014, 03:48 PM	#11
onewaydave Innocent Bystander Drives: 2013 ZL1 BRM/2002 35th SS/2009 GMC Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 385 View My Garage	I see a lot of Camaros up here, I for one store mine! "Advise 2nd set of snow tires" and don't get attached to the paint and windshield! So you here in Anchorage now! __________________ Living on the RaGgEd EdGe!

01-01-2014, 09:14 PM	#12
Ammo25 Drives: 2013 Camaro RS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 22	I grew upp in Anchorage and yup the roads can get nasty especially after/during storms. You can drive your Camaro on nice days when the roads are clear without much of a problem. I drove a friends 280Z sevral times and never had problems. Your Camaro should not need a block heater in Anchorage, but it wouldn't hurt if it is parked outside (no garage). Since you mention Ft Rich... Hit the Lemon Lot there or on Elmendorf side as soon as you get there. Good deals can be had. Good luck and enjoy your time up there! I miss it every day.

01-06-2014, 09:24 PM	#13
alaskacamaro Drives: 2012 2SS 45TH Anniversary Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 720	You CAN drive your camaro in the winter in Anchorage but I would highly highly recommend storing it between late September till late April. Summers are great in the anchorage area. Lots of cruising roads and not a ton of traffic, at least not like your used too. Be glad to see another 45th around. Not sure if there're anymore up here.