 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all
I'm planning a trip to Megeve just after Christmas, driving from the UK.
Do I need any special additions for the car in the way of snow chains etc & has anyone got any tips for a route.
Thanks
BeerRock
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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snow chains, bulb kit, hi vis vest, calais, Reims, Troyes, Dijon, Geneva, Sallanche, Megeve................................and search!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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okay, thanks
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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BeerRock, welcome to snowHeads 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Oh and plan an overnight stay, a quick dash isn't worht the tiredness risk, unless there are a few of you driving.
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| twoodwar wrote: |
| Oh and plan an overnight stay, a quick dash isn't worht the tiredness risk, unless there are a few of you driving. |
I disagree, 8 hours calais to megeve....easily doiable without riskk
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| marcellus wrote: |
| twoodwar wrote: |
| Oh and plan an overnight stay, a quick dash isn't worht the tiredness risk, unless there are a few of you driving. |
I disagree, 8 hours calais to megeve....easily doiable without riskk |
Indeed - unless the roads are closed due to weather, traffic etc.
Or you break down
Or you have kids in the car who need a break
Horses for courses - I used to drive in one go, perfectly fine. But with kids I now prefer to spread the journey
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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BeerRock, I have driven to Megeve many times. The resort is low and I have never needed chains there. There is a good bus service to get around so you may not need the car that much. The drive is easy, often done it solo, 8 hours if conditions are ok, my best is 6 hours 40 minutes from Calais 525 miles.
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Well have driven 30,000 plus miles a year for 20 years. Too many accidents seen. fortunately nothing but a bump myself. Far more enjoyable putting a stop in though in my opinion, as have always taken children. Its an individual choice obviously, but after a full days driving (I live in Liverpool so the trip to Dover has taken longer than the trip in France), if you can stop close to the resort and cheap, you put your ski gear on in the Hotel, drive the last hour to the resort, buy liftpass, and Ski. If you get their in the morning after an overnight drive,(I have also done this), you cant check in, you are too knackerred to ski and enjoy it, - so no real gain. You pays your money and takes your choice!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Boris wrote: |
| marcellus wrote: |
| twoodwar wrote: |
| Oh and plan an overnight stay, a quick dash isn't worht the tiredness risk, unless there are a few of you driving. |
I disagree, 8 hours calais to megeve....easily doiable without riskk |
Indeed - unless the roads are closed due to weather, traffic etc.
Or you break down
Or you have kids in the car who need a break
Horses for courses - I used to drive in one go, perfectly fine. But with kids I now prefer to spread the journey |
would take you a bit longer by this means of travel 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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if you can start near Dover/folkestone/calais even with children and dogs (who are worse than children in their needs for pee stops and getting bored) Calais to Megeve in a day is not a problem...you arrive in time for dinner...............we do it every time we do the route.............which as we live 20/25miles from Megeve is quite often!!
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As you live there you wouldn't want to stop. I wouldnt want to stop in Warrigton, 10 miles from home either. As long as you are not driving on the Autoroute blanche on Saturday at half term at 10mph
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You know it makes sense.
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| Dunk wrote: |
| BeerRock, I have driven to Megeve many times. The resort is low and I have never needed chains there. There is a good bus service to get around so you may not need the car that much. The drive is easy, often done it solo, 8 hours if conditions are ok, my best is 6 hours 40 minutes from Calais 525 miles. |
I have been caught there 3 times over the years needing to put chains on to continue a journey to Les Saisies - the last time it happened we left Saisies to go down to Sallanches, was drizzling in the valley and on return up from the hypermarche, it was gunning down by Combloux, took refuge in the Princess gondola lift station undercover carpark to fit the chains while the driver of a BMW 525 decided to hold all the traffic up by trying to snake up the main road...I think he went about 50 yds from where we left him before it slithered off the road and got stuck 
simple sums...rear wheel drive+snow-minus snowchains and any intelligence=large queue of frustrated drivers and inevitable loss of car control
Avoid late afternoons or early-ish morning on changeover days as the road up from Sallanches is very very busy, other than that, no real nightmares and easily do-able in a day, though overnight in or around dijon and with a lazy saturday am breakfast should have u there between the traffic.
Cheers
David
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Quote: |
I have never needed chains there
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well I have, like David. Even if you have driven, say, 3 times to Megeve that's just a sample of 6 days. You don't often need chains there, but if you do hit bad weather you could find them absolutely essential. And a car is useful in Megeve for driving to different areas, to save waiting for buses, making it that much more likely you'll need them. Pray that you do - because that will mean fantastic snow conditions.
You'll also need things to stick on headlights, to deflect the beams. High vis jackets. Warning triangle, spare light bulbs, first aid kit, all your car documents (Megeve is actually the only place I've ever been caught in a police roadblock thing when they were checking documents). The above are legally required. But it's a really easy drive. Whether you need an overnight stop will depend on where and when you start from the UK, your own preferences and the traffic on the day. If you spend 6 hours on a snowy motorway crawling from Reims down to Dijon (unlikely but I can personally confirm that it's entirely possible!) you'll want to stop. Have a great trip
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks all
Am traveling from Reading & I guessed it was drivable in a day but decided on an overnight stop in Reims anyway.
Ferry booked and if anyone needs a tip, Seafrance wanted £150 for the return leg of the ferry (Calais to Dover) if booked as part of a return trip but only 119 euros if booked separately as a one way trip.
So, all booked & ready to check out Megeve
Thanks again
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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BeerRock, I've driven to Megève a couple of times (out of about 25 visits). As others have said, you'll be unlikely to fit chains, but you just can't take the chance of doing without.
Where are you staying? Let us know if you have other any other questions about Megève - I have quite a few answers by now!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| BeerRock wrote: |
Thanks all
Am traveling from Reading & I guessed it was drivable in a day but decided on an overnight stop in Reims anyway.
Ferry booked and if anyone needs a tip, Seafrance wanted £150 for the return leg of the ferry (Calais to Dover) if booked as part of a return trip but only 119 euros if booked separately as a one way trip.
So, all booked & ready to check out Megeve
Thanks again |
Have you booked your stop in Reims yet? If not, personally speaking 3hrs from Dijon rather than 4.5 from Reims makes the next days drive much nicer having done it a few times. Getting onto the A39 and then seeing the Jura then the Alps on the Horizon always seemed mentally nicer after breakfast. You'll hit Reims in about 2hrs-ish from getting off the boat and i'd suspect you might want to be further down the road.
Feel free to ignore just my 2p having trawled back and forth from blazingjoke... 
Cheers
David
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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BeerRock, Have you booked a return ferry? if you book a cheap day return and don't turn up for the inbound leg, the ferry companies can fine you.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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BeerRock, Can I also suggest that you do travel further than Reims before you stop. As others have mentioned it will make the next day more practical. I have to travel from Manchester so i all ready have a long journey before France. I now always get as far into France as I can and certainly Dijon or beyond.
IMHO, chains are a must have (even if you dont use them) , but like pam w said, snow or ice can interupt your travel well before the alps. Let us know how you get on.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Another vote for getting as far as you can before stopping. But I try to avoid booking overnight accommodation - you might hit heavy fog and want to stop sooner, or you could be feeling good for another few hours. If you are travelling on "big" day you might need to book (e.g. on the Friday at the start of half term it's vital) but there are loads of places and I've not yet ended up sleeping in the car. I usually start looking for a room around 9pm - but I did once have to head into Dijon (on a journey north) because of really scary fog.
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Chains needed most for the passage over the Jura rather than around the resort, but agree that they are worth carrying. Also a vote for stopping nearer to Beaune than to Reims, weather permitting (Troyes at least, possibly Langres if on the A5).
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Hi
Reason for the stop in Reims is that I've got time both days to "spare" Docking at Calais about 16:00 so I guess Reims by 18:30 (will need beer by then!) & the rest of the party, who are flying don't land until 14:00 the next day, so a 5 odd our drive & we should meet up about the same time.
laundryman - Not sure where we're staying - I'll find out & let you know - all suggestions welcome!
youspurs1 - No returns booked - just two one way tickets
Cheers
BR
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
the passage over the Jura
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the Jura route is more interesting than the motorway but it does tend to take a bit longer and is certainly not a good idea in snowy weather unless you're a glutton for punishment.
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| Quote: |
the passage over the Jura
the Jura route is more interesting than the motorway but it does tend to take a bit longer and is certainly not a good idea in snowy weather unless you're a glutton for punishment.
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Does the A40 section between Bourg and Geneva not count as the Jura? Very Southern edge I know, but where I have been most held up by sliding lorries.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
you put your ski gear on in the Hotel, drive the last hour to the resort, buy liftpass, and Ski.
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I find my skis a bit cumbersome to drive in and my goggles often steam up too...
Take chains or winter tires; otherwise the trip becomes a chore if the conditions become wintry which we hope that they will.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
Does the A40 section between Bourg and Geneva not count as the Jura?
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Yes, I suppose it does! Never thought of it as that, though, as we quite often drive over on the route which goes more directly up from Geneva and goes higher. The Autoroute des Titans - between Bourg and Geneva - can certainly feel quite hairy in bad weather, though so far we've never had to use chains. Incidentally it's worth stopping at the "aire" which has an exhibition about the building of that road - very impressive and interesting, even to a non-engineer. Makes you appreciate the expertise which went in to enabling us to shift along there at 110 kph (much of it doesn't allow 130). You could certainly need chains in Megeve itself at times, especially if your accommodation is up a bit of a side-road. But the town itself is low enough that it wouldn't be too often.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Makes you appreciate the expertise which went in to enabling us to shift along there at 110 kph (much of it doesn't allow 130). You could certainly need chains in Megeve itself at times, especially if your accommodation is up a bit of a side-road. But the town itself is low enough that it wouldn't be too often. |
I always look forward to that section, and marvel at the setting and engineering.
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You know it makes sense.
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laundryman, have you seen the exhibition? It's worth a look. But the off-motorway trip over the Jura is also very pleasant, in good weather.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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pam w, I haven't. I'd like to do both of those. However, I'm not a popular person when I suggest driving to the Alps. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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If this is your first visit to megeve then do think about a scenic flight from megeve altiport, after this weekend the fleet of aircraft will be on skis to operate from their base. It might be at odds with maximum time on the slopes, but if you take a couple of hours out first thing in the morning on a day with good weather then the sights are stunning.
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