Watch Tesla Model X’s Falcon Wing doors open after a snow storm

As we recently reported, the vast majority of the Tesla Model X SUVs delivered so far are now seeing winter for the first time. It will be the vehicle’s greatest test yet, especially for Tesla’s proprietary Falcon Wing doors.

Here in Quebec, we got our first few decent snow storms last week and a Model X owner tested the Falcon Wing doors, one of the greatest concerns of potential Model X buyers, after ‘une bonne bordée’ as we say around here.

Of course, just like any normal car door, it’s not recommended to open the doors with several inches of snow on top simply because you are asking for snow to fall inside.

But maybe you need to access something in the back, like a snow broom or ice scraper, before getting the snow off. In this case, it can be useful to know if the Model X’s doors can still operate.

In a test by a Model X owner in Quebec last week, the Falcon Wing doors performed adequately when opening with several inches of snow on top. Here’s a gif via Instagram (landry974):

Some owners have already reported that the Model X’s Falcon doors can be useful to shield owners from the rain when loading or unloading something or a child from the second-row seats, but it looks like it can also be useful in a colder climate.

Despite being designed in California, Tesla seems to put efforts into its vehicles being adapted to rough winters, which is especially important considering the automaker is popular in countries like Norway.

For example, the company’s signature retractable door handles went into some extensive testing in cold climate:

If your car is connected, you can always preheat the cabin without risking losing any range before getting inside the vehicle.

As for general winter driving performance for the Model X, it shouldn’t be a problem since the Model S has been praised for its winter driving performance and the Model X is equipped with the same drivetrain plus all trims are all-wheel drive, while the Model S is also available in rear-wheel drive.

Of course, nothing beats some good winter tires. Be safe out there.