Having been raised on the Oregon coast, I have seen very little snow for the few years that I have been driving (I am 18).  It only took 1/2 inch of powder to close down our town.  Now that I moved off to college in Klamath Falls, OR (combination mountainous and high desert), I will be exposed to many feet of powder each season. I drive an 85 GL, and  I do have traction retreads with studs for all four wheels, and chains for the rear tires, but tips on staying out of the ditch, forest, or other lane, would be appreciated.  I have tried asking other people, but I know that the weight bias of these vehicles are unlike anything else, and that does have an impact on their handling.  I don't know if it matters or not, but I THINK our DOT tends to use gravel instead of salt on the road ways, but I am not sure.  All tips would be appreciated.  Thank you much!

-Aaron Mckay 
                                 mckayaa@oit.edu
                                 college student in mechanical
                                 engineering at Oregon Institute of Technology
                                 '85 vanagon GL

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