Whatever you say number_6. My Tahoe comment comes from 20 years of driving to our cabin in Tahoe, and 15 years that my brother's lived there and has never had to put chains on a 4WD. Those "hundreds of signs" you're thinking of say "Chains required - 4WD with snow tires OK." R3 conditions would require 4WDs to chain up, but you can look at Cal Trans' website to see the road will be closed first (in 20 years I don't know of a time it wasn't). Aren't you also the person who said chains/4WD are only required in Tahoe in mid-February? Too funny.

As for the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler being mostly at sea level (Whistler Village is at 2000 ft), I'm not sure how this is relevant, even if it was true. Haven't you ever seen it snow at sea level before? Or at least heard of it?

I don't think you have a future as a mind reader. The road's not tough - just subject to snow and chain controls. I'd much rather skip slogging along with chains and go with a 4WD.

mykeylee: Since it's probably unclear who to trust after this littlle debate, I hope you'll at least trust the BC highway department's advice, and carry chains. Chaining up is a pain, but if that's your only option on vehicles, be sure and have the chains reserved, and that they're even available from Budget for your minivan. It would be a drag to get there and not be able to get up to Whistler.

Back to saving money ... there is a 7-11 in Squamish (near McDonald's) on the way to Whistler that has sold the discount tickets in the past, including this past year. I'd give them a call in late November and see if they have them again. That way you'll know if you can count on that or if you should pre-purchase the 3-out-of-4-day pass, it will also keep you from going out of your way to find a 7-11.