 Poster: A snowHead
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Good Morning!
Off to Auron (southern Alps) at the end of March for a short ski break. There are only 2 x groups according to Avis that have winter tyres from Nice airport apparently (not a group we booked as it was not an option on BA.com when we booked the flight / car package). I thought there was now a ruling that would be a bit like Geneva - all cars between Dec / March would have to come with winter tyres? We have some snow socks (although obviously they're specific to my car at home) that i might take as a precaution and you never know, they might fit the hire car. But just curious if Nice Airport has kitted out all cars with winter tyres? If not i assume we could just pop into a supermarket when there are get a set on the way to the resort if the forecast is due to be heavy snow at the end of March.
thanks 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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the law doesn't require winter tyres in France (the Swiss side of Gva is different). Chains or snow socks with non-winter tyres are acceptable.
In fact, when the gendarmes are stopping cars going up the hill without the right equipment you can be turned back with winter tyres if you don't have chains on, whereas a car with summer tyres and chains will be allowed up. Ironic.
It's luck of the draw whether your snow socks would fit but you should be able to buy chains as you near the mountains.
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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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the law doesn't require winter tyres in France (the Swiss side of Gva is different). Chains or snow socks with non-winter tyres are acceptable.
In fact, when the gendarmes are stopping cars going up the hill without the right equipment you can be turned back with winter tyres if you don't have chains on, whereas a car with summer tyres and chains will be allowed up. Ironic.
It's luck of the draw whether your snow socks would fit but you should be able to buy chains as you near the mountains.
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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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But Nice isn't one of those mountain areas!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I hired a car last year from Grenoble and assumed it would have winter tyres, fortunately, I also ordered snow socks as I didn't know what car I would get and what size I would need. The car was fitted with summer tyres and even getting into the car park at VT was impossible without the snow socks. I think I paid 70 euros for the socks and they were wrecked by the end of the trip.
Just for safety, you'd at least need snow socks unless the resort is completely clear of snow.
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When I’ve hired a car in Grenoble before, we also hired snow chains from the rental company. Being Nice, I’m not sure whether you will be able to do so, but worth a check. The tyres on the car we hired from Grenoble airport had all season tyres on, not winter tyres. So even in alpine regions, winters tyres aren’t guaranteed on hire cars in France. For peace of mind, I would ensure you have snow chains.
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| pam w wrote: |
In fact, when the gendarmes are stopping cars going up the hill without the right equipment you can be turned back with winter tyres if you don't have chains on, whereas a car with summer tyres and chains will be allowed up. |
Have you witnessed this? You cannot be turned back on principle, as you're conforming with the law if you have winter tyres. Would have to be incedibly extreme conditions, or stupid uninformed gendarmes (not so unlikely, I guess) to leave a road open for anyone with chains but not for wintey trye users.
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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: |
Have you witnessed this?
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Yep. Happened to me and to visitors in a hired car from Geneva with winter tyres. It is not uncommon - usually confined to snowy transfer days. You can carry on stupidly and get stuck on other days, when you're not going to cause chaos.
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Gendarmes also close down side roads off the motorway/dual carriageway to all except authorised local traffic on days when people are likely to get stuck trying to take short cuts. They're legal, public, roads but you won't be allowed up them, regardless of how your car is shod.
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