Taking a Tesla Model 3 Skiing: All-Season Tires Handled Snowy Roads with Ease!
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The other day, my family and I went skiing. Our ride for the trip was our Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD.
It’s fitted with Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3 tires.
ピレリの新型オールシーズンタイヤ「Cinturato All Season SF 3」を購入 – テスラモデル3に履かせてみた
You might be wondering: “Can you really drive on snowy roads with all-season tires—and in an EV, no less? Won’t the battery drain rapidly in the cold?”
In our experience, it’s absolutely fine. We had no trouble with traction, and we made the round trip without stopping to charge. Here’s what it was like.
Confidence on Snowy Roads: No Cause for Concern
In fact, last year we went skiing five or six times with the same combination: a Tesla and all-season tires.
Given winter road conditions in the Kansai region, we don’t normally drive through heavy-snow areas. On the way to the ski resorts, snowplows have often cleared the roads, and the snow has melted. We rarely encounter slick, icy roads.
More often, we find slushy snow or wet pavement. That said, the final uphill stretch to a ski resort can often be covered in deep snow.
We drove through some pretty snowy conditions last year, but there were almost no moments when I felt uneasy. The car never seemed close to getting stuck on an uphill slope. Of course, when braking on a downhill stretch, you can feel the tires slip for a moment. But it’s not the frightening sensation of “This is bad—we’re not going to stop.” Instead, the car feels stable and firmly in control.
This season has only just begun, but after two winters with the car, my honest impression is: “This is more than capable of getting us there.”
This Season, We Added Tesla’s Genuine Roof Rack
This time, we tried something new: fitting a roof rack to the Tesla and carrying our skis on top.
Until now, we’ve rented skis and boots at the resort each time. The reason was simple: kids grow so quickly that buying skis seemed like a waste. But when you go skiing five or six times in a season, rental fees for the whole family really add up.
So we decided that the best value would be to use a season rental and carry the skis in our Tesla.
I was a little concerned that putting skis on the roof would increase drag and make the car harder to drive. But in practice, at normal speeds, I didn’t notice any difference.
On a day with especially strong crosswinds, I did feel a bit of wind resistance while cruising in the passing lane.
How Did the Roof Rack Affect Efficiency?
That said, I think the roof rack may have had a small impact on efficiency. The other day, we drove from home to Hachi Kogen Ski Resort in Hyogo Prefecture—a little under 150 km. The battery was at 90% when we left and at 50% when we arrived.
Efficiency seemed worse than when we drove the same route last winter. I can’t say for sure whether that was due to the extra drag from the skis on the roof or simply the long uphill climb, but the battery did run down faster.
On the way home, efficiency was better—possibly because much of the route was downhill—and we made it home with 19% battery remaining.
I’ve never seen another Tesla at the ski resort, but the Model 3 has plenty of ground clearance for the route, and its performance on snowy roads is impressive. You often hear people say that driving an EV in snow is scary, but I think actually living with one can change your mind. With its strong torque and clever traction control, the Tesla feels remarkably stable on snow.
Incidentally, a Tesla ice-driving experience event is reportedly taking place next month, in February, at Lake Megami in Nagano Prefecture. Driving on a frozen lake is not an everyday opportunity, so I’m very tempted. Maybe I’ll go once the kids are a little more independent.
Driving our Tesla on snowy roads has been no problem at all. Still, I can’t help thinking that the roomier Model Y would make for an even more comfortable ride. That said, the Model 3’s width of under 1,900 mm is a big plus, so for now, it’s the ideal fit for our family.
We’ll likely be heading for the mountains several more times this season with our Tesla Model 3.
For reference, I’ve included my Tesla referral link below.
It can get you a discount on the vehicle price. If you’re thinking of buying a Tesla, don’t forget to use it.
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