Winter Driving

Total newbie - First time to the Alpes in Winter . Any advice on roads/conditions and are snow chains needed at all times?

We have been there in the summer and loved it so aware of what the roads are like but need advice for driving in the winter.

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Hi

A few more details would help. Where are you travelling and when? The weather is completely unpredictable. Normally chains are only needed if you are heading up to the ski resorts and there has been a heavy snowfall but you would be an idiot not to have them in the car. The main valley routes and motorways are cleared and being lower are usually clear.

All that said I have been trapped just outside Reims on a closed motorway in January 2003 for 7 hours. At the end of December 2005 we had heavy snow all across France from the Alps to Calais. Last year at the same time it was completely clear all the way up to the ski resort and home.

Gosh I wish I could predict it so just be prepared.

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if you are hiring a car from an airport the car should be fitted with a softer rubber tyre than normal already,but not all hire cars come with snow chains so you my have to request the car is supplied with them( not always needed but should ask anyway).If you are taking your own car by law you will need the following-one set of snow chains,a reflective warning triangle,a complete set of spare bolbs,and headlight beam adjusters(as when you are driving your lights will be shining directly into the oncomming traffic) these are relatively cheap only a couple of quid and can be either a couple of black sticky transfers that fit over the headlight,or a light orange clear plastic reflector(similar to a bikes reflector) that also sticks to the headlight,make sure you get ones that are compatible with your make and model of car and just follow the instructions on the back,also if your going to Italy skiing and are taking your own car or hiring one by law you have to have your headlights turned on when travelling on a motorway even in broad daylight.

Hope this has been of help

jonathan

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hi ,sorry but forgot to say if at any point you do need to put chains on and drive ,chains have a speed limit and you should not realy exceed 40mph,also the motorways have two speed limits in dry conditions the limit is 130kph (81mph),and in wet conditions the limit is 80kph or 90kph (have a brain like a seive but the british equivalent is 61mph).

jonathan

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Jonathan is a little wrong the limit in the wet on the autoroutes is 110kph.

Also from experience when you have the chains on you will be driving far slower than 40mph if you want any tyres left at the end. You car manual should tell you the appropriate speed.

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Thanks for your help. It doesnt sound too good driving in winter. With the unpredictable weather, I am not so sure. The area I was hoping to go to was Chamonix .

We might give it a miss.

It is just that it is cheaper for us to drive there (instead of hiring a car)and then drive round the countryside. I dont know how reliable the bus services are in the area.

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hi birdee,

you did not say how much you had been quoted for car hire ,try Autoeurope - 0800 169 9797, they are about the cheapest car hire company i have found and always use them.

best of luck

jonG.

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Thanks Jonathan. I have looked at Auto Europe %26amp; the discount prices seem very reasonable.

The original plan was to drive in our own car to the Alpes but needed tips on driving to and around the Alpes in winter conditions. How bad/good is it driving in the Alpes?

Otherwise, we fly to Geneva (french side) and hire a car big enough to carry our luggage for 4 people!. Could get quiet expensive!?

Or, if weather conditions make it difficult then we would fly there - hire a taxi from Geneva to the Alpes and then use local transport to get around?

Personally, I like the idea of driving there in our own car as we did in summer.

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Birdee

We drive every year and have done for the last 20 years. Just be prepared. Besides all the excellant advice that Jonathan has given I would also have a shovel in the car just in case. Chains can be hired in the UK. Please try the chains before you set off. Learning how to put them on by the side of a cold, snowy road is not ideal. Keep an eye on the weather forecast.

The French are very good at clearing the roads but sometimes get overwhelmed - why are the snow ploughs always clearing the other side of the road???

On the other hand you might never need any of the above.

If you are going to Chamonix I would imagine that you will be fine as it is a main road all the way.

Driving will work out cheaper and you get the opportunity to stay somewhere on the way down and back :)

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Thanks JBart. Sounds good advice!

20 years ! :-)

I%26#39;ve got till the following winter to think about it. I%26#39;d love to see the Alpes in winter - but NO sking.