 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All,
Nice forum - I have been looking for something like this for while now.
I am planning a trip to La Plange on the 4th March 2006 for a weeks skiing and or boarding. I have decided to ditch the flight and long boring transfer and try self drive - I have the route planned but have a slight query about snow chains. I have read in a few places that it is a legal requirement to have snow chains in the vehicle during winter in the Alps (just in case). I have no problems with that but I would like to know:
1. Would it be cheaper to buy snow chains from a supermarket in Moutiers? 
2. Where would I need to put them on if the conditions require them? - I know in California they have special lay-bys for people to pull over in and fit their chains.
3. Where would you recommend purchasing snow chains from?
4. What thickness would you recommend for someone who might only use them once a year to drive up the mountain and down again at the end of the week?
Thanks is advance,
Cheers,
Chris
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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blondends, Chris welcome to snowheads, definitely cheaper to buy in a Hypermarche, your best bet depending on time is at Casino in Albertville, there is also a Super U and Champion in Moutiers.
You may not need them in March but you never know and the road up from Aime to La Plagne is posted for chains, there are areas de chainage on that road. When you put them on depends on whether you have snow tyres or not, you soon find out, but it's not getting through snow that shows the value of snow-chains it's dealing with any ice that may be on the road.
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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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blondends,
This link covers all you need to know and a few things you don't !
click here
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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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The road to La Plagne actually says that winter tyres are permitted as replacements for chains. (I remember seeing the sign this December and breathing out, as I had forgotten my chains at home and was worried the police might pull me over).
I would suggest getting winter tyres, which are far more versatile, and buying snow chains locally only as a last resort, if absolutely necessary.
My experience (ok it's not vast but I'm not talking about a trip or two only) is that roads get closed due to avalanche danger or blocked due to other drivers before you actually need snow chains IF you have winter tyres.
Of course, summer tyres and no chains = you being the driver who blocks the road for everyone else. Or worse.
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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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| Cedric wrote: |
| The road to La Plagne actually says that winter tyres are permitted as replacements for chains. (I remember seeing the sign this December and breathing out, as I had forgotten my chains at home and was worried the police might pull me over). |
The sign "pneu neige admis" means that spiked tires are permitted as a replacement for chains.
Winter "contact" tires are not covered under current French legislation so it is a bit of a grey area for the local Gendarmerie to interpret as they will.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Aha, thanks for the clarification. Sorry for providing incorrect information! (though I would've tried to reason with the Gendarmerie of course)
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Thanks for all the information!
It was mentioned by David@traxvax that in March there may not be the need for Chains - what are the skiing/snow conditions like in early March? Is it not common for it to snow?
Thanks again to everyone for their advice,
Cheers,
Chris
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| blondends wrote: |
It was mentioned by David@traxvax that in March there may not be the need for Chains - what are the skiing/snow conditions like in early March? Is it not common for it to snow?
Chris |
You are in the lap of the weather Gods I am afraid. I have been away skiing at the back end of April and it has been colder and had more snow that some January trips I have taken. Only certainty is that is will get light earlier and darker later.
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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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You will probably be able to get a reasonable forcast for the rest of the day once you get to france, and it's not far from albertville/moutiers to la plagne so if it isn't snowing by then and you can't see weather closing in you'd probably be safe enough to go up without....of course getting down might be another matter 
I'm out with a big group that week - take a look further down this forum for a thread on la plagne recommendations - some very helpful replies!
aj xx
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Hi ajhainey & All,
I did read your post and all the replies - I am going to print it off cause I will never remember all that information.
I am probably going to stay at Belle Plagne in an appartment s/c - waiting to here back from a few people about prices and availability. If you know of any good self catering appartments in La Palgne then I would be interested to here about them.
Chirs
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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blondends, the Montagnettes and the Balcons are nice.
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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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Thanks again,
I think now all that is left to do is book it and leave the rest to the weather/snow gods!!!
Cheers,
Chris
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blondends, as others have said, is legal requirement to carry chains regardless of whether snow on road or not.
One point to bear in mind is that many UK compaies hire chains or will exchange them should you change your car at later date
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You know it makes sense.
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blondends, Check out Buy and sell on this forum, sometimes there are second hand chains for sale very cheaply 
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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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blondends, they may have stopped this, but last January I bought snow chains from Snow and Rock on the basis that they had a returns policy for a period well in excess of the week we spent in Austria. Needless to say, we didn't use the chains and I got my money back. Good insurance! Incidentally, we were advised that the chains must be designed for both the wheel size and drive. We have a large 4X4 and, rightly or wrongly, were pointed towards the most heavy duty on the basis that lighter versions would simply break.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Colin Bell, wouldn't disagree with that, we only used chains 3 times last season but they needed repairing and at the end of the season we bought a new pair because the old ones had stretched. We do run a 12 seater mini-bus so weight is a consideration and the tyre size is fairly large.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I do understand that it is a legal requirement that any vehicle driving in the Alps during winter carries chains - After this discussion I will be purchasing some and I will probably wait until I get to Albertville and pop to the Hypermarche. Although the only problem I can see with doing that is I will not have the chace to practice putting the things on - I was told once that they are a real bug to put on.
Chris.
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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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My understanding is that it is a legal requirement to carry chains only when the signs indicate so - the signs being covered or uncovered as necessary.
Later in the season, the chance of sufficient snow for chains to be required co-inciding with when you are driving up (or down!) the mountain is quite reasonably small. If you aren't a regular traveller, then I'd wait until close to the date you leave and check the forecast before deciding on buying chains or not: and even then don't buy them until you are quite close to the resort.
And even then, you could try doing what we did in December: http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=11540&highlight=
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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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| Quote: |
My experience (ok it's not vast but I'm not talking about a trip or two only) is that roads get closed due to avalanche danger or blocked due to other drivers before you actually need snow chains IF you have winter tyres.
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This is not always true. It depends on the type of snow, the gradient, and the driving qualities of your car. I have winter tyres and have had to put chains on sometimes - most recently this week, when there was heavy snow which was wet and slushy around 1200 - 1400m. If you buy them in a supermarket in Albertville you can practice putting them on in the car park - highly recommended. I have now used chains quite often, but always have a quick practice at home at the beginning of the season; I can almost do it with my eyes shut now. Getting the damn things off is usually worse! But, as suggested above, you will get a very reliable forecast before leaving home which will give you a warning of whether they are likely to be required.
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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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In a way I hope that chains are required cause that means there has been a heavy snow fall!
Skiing trips for me are not only for skiing but also to see proper snowfall (I love the stuff) - something that has become a distant memory in the UK. I have been lucky a few times to experience very heavy snowfall while on a skiing trip - but that has always been at the beginning of the season in January.
Chris
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