1...Toyo Open Country A/T
2...Cooper A/T

Michelin AT's

Thanks all! Costco has the Michelin LTX AT2 at a reasonable price with a 60k mileage warranty, so I think that's likely the route I'll go. I've never had a really bad experience with Michelin.

The last time I skiied (nearly 20 years ago) was at Purgatory. We went to Durango a bunch as a kid, but normally either over the summer or at Thanksgiving, and there was only enough snow for skiing one time.

I'll check out all of the skiing options that have been mentioned though. Thanks again!

You won’t really need 4x4 or off road tires when you’re in Colorado for skiing, unless you’re trying to drive through a fresh blizzard. I went up there four years ago and the rental agency gave me an impala. Most places that get a lot of snow - like ski resorts in Colorado - deal with snow very well and the snow isn’t tough to drive on.

I went to discount tire and explained my needs and they sold me a house brand off road tire that I’ve been very happy with for over a year. They’re not as quiet as the stock tires, but inoffensive on the highway and way better off road than the stock tires. Good price too.

As you selected the LTX in either M/S2 or AT2 are a great choice. The only negative to them is that here in the OT they have been called old man tires.

Have to respectfully disagree with you sir. I had put those on my dually when they came out a few years ago. Horrible tires, at least back then. If the ground was wet even from dew, I could not get traction. Taking off or stopping was just a slide fest. Tread was gone by 30K and Discount gave me a prorated refund on all of them. Hopefully it was just the batch I got. It was no fun sliding through intersections constantly or fishtailing trying to just roll through a corner. Never had an accident, but will never use another one of their products. Only good thing I can say about them is I was able to find out what the top speed of my truck was. Light turned green and rolled to about 20 mph, dropped the hammer. Wheels broke loose and went through every gear including over drive. That was the one time it was fun.

For snow you want a tighter tread not open. Duratracs are good on snow but probably more aggressive then what you need. I run KO2s and they don't whine but not a good mud tire. For what you want the Michelins are probably a good choice. What I don't understand is why people buy 4x4s in Texas but never go off road.

Last time we were in Durango, there were some hiking trails that were only accessible with 4x4 vehicles for the last 1-2 miles of the road leading to the trail head. I'd like to be able to get to those, as well as drive in snow if we need to, either in Colorado or Wyoming/Montana. So I'm not planning on going way off road, but I don't want to be completely unable to get off pavement either. Up til now, I've owned 8 or 9 vehicles and all them 2WD and never been stuck anywhere. But we're getting more into the outdoors and I thought it was a good time to switch. But I also figured that highway tires with a 4x4 was a good way to think I had more off-road capability than I really had, and just end up getting stuck somewhere that I shouldn't have.

Maybe a little off topic, but since it's your first 4x4 pickup, you should always carry a tow strap or chain.
You may not need it, but it's kind of like carrying a spare tire....You may not ever need it, but if you do it's there!

Roger that - will do. Thanks!

If you go to Durango during the winter there will no getting to the trialheads 4x4 or otherwise to hike, it will be covered up with snow. Durango has so much to do during the winter and everything is accessible from the paved roads. Try snowmobiling and tubing wherever you go. Your kids will love it.

get a 30' nylon strap and not a chain. Strap will absorb some shock. You can put some slack in it and pop it.

black bear pass to telluride would be fun in the snow, well, sorta.

This is my friend who still lives in CO. This is the area we used to ride. https://www.facebook.com/shawn.welder/videos/10213478621434751/