 Poster: A snowHead
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Not having driven in the alps in winter before, I'd appreciate some advice. We fly in to Grenoble on 16 December for a week, probably staying in Meribel. The hire car people want to charge me c. EUR11 per day (!) for winter tyres, and the same again (actually a bit more) for chains. This seems a complete rip off, especially for the chains, but there's not much I can do about it, I guess. Once in the resort I wouldn't expect to use the car again until it's time to head home. Do you think I should have both the winter tyres and the chains? It more or less doubles the price of the car hire! I'm tempted to have just the chains. Views please!! Thanks. PS (OT) anyone recommend an instructor for 1:1 tuition for a 2 week skier in Meribel 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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noggy, if you only want to pay for EITHER the snow chains OR the winter tyres, you really must go for the chains. If there is heavy snow when you arrive you using chains might be the only sensible option, and you may be required by the local police to fit them before heading up the mountain.
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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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This is why I decided to drive to the Alps for Christmas. Couldn't be bothered with renting a car for ten days, paying extra for snow chains AND winter tyres (I HATE snow chains, much prefer winter tyres, but I guess I'd have had to get the chains too).
Go for the chains I guess, hope the roads are cleared...but be prepared to have an awful half-hour putting them on if it snows.
At least if you bug up the ABS due to a loose chain, like I did, it's not your car.
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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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noggy, seems an excessive charge, the Swiss only charged me 3 swiss francs per day for the chains and nothing for the tyres (they were already fitted to the car.) 77€ would probably buy you a set of chains.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 4-12-05 0:08; edited 1 time in total
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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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| noggy wrote: |
| Do you think I should have both the winter tyres and the chains? It more or less doubles the price of the car hire! I'm tempted to have just the chains. Views please!! Thanks. |
this is what I would do, take neither, and buy chains from Carrefour Meylan or Geant in Albertville which will cost around 50 Euros (for a set of Michelin chains which are better than the ones I use). If it were Val Tho I might take the winter tires but Meribel - you'll be lucky to have snow on the roads.
175/14 winter tires cost 50 Euros for Pirelli contacts here so your car hire firm is ripping you off. Oh I hope you are not with Avis.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 4-12-05 10:06; edited 1 time in total
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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've just bought some RUD ones for my 4x4 which were less than that.
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I HATE snow chains
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Don't we all? I agree with davidof. You are unlikely to encounter heaps of snow en route to Meribel and if the weather is snowy when you arrive (look at the website for wherever you are going) buy chains in a supermarket near the airport (taking careful note of the tyre size) and practice putting them on in the car park.... If it snows when you are there, you will pay a bit more in resort but the garage you buy them might fit them free (but don't wait till Friday evening or Saturday). Either way, you will be so glad of a bit of snow that you won't mind. And in the more likely event of snow-free roads you'll have saved lots of money.
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davidof,
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| I would to, take neither, and buy chains from Carrefour Meylan or Geant in Albertville which will cost around 50 Euros |
What a great idea. I was whingeing last night that one site that boasts 'no hidden extras' was charging 15€ a day for chain's!
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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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Trouble is, we arrive at 6pm, so I guess there will be nowhere open that time of night. I'd buy them here but you never quite know what car they are going to give you. Sounds like I should go for the chains, and make do with summer tyres. The good news is it's only 12 days to go, and that snow is falling!! Was in S+R today foe a few last minute bits and bobs - mainly stuff I don't need at all, but - what the hell. It was absolutely heaving in there! No surprise I guess, but it certainly gets one in the mood! 
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| noggy wrote: |
| Trouble is, we arrive at 6pm |
Carrefour at St Egreve is open until 10pm, it is about 30km from the airport just as you come into Grenoble. Worth a stop if you need to stock up on stuff. What type of car have you hired?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you are self-catering a supermarket stop is a must anyway - you can't waste ski time shopping and it will be much cheaper than in resort. But you might end up with a very full car.
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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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175/14 winter tires cost 50 Euros for Pirelli contacts here so your car hire firm is ripping you off. Oh I hope you are not with Avis.
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im getting avis car in jan whats wrong with them ?
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| colw wrote: |
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175/14 winter tires cost 50 Euros for Pirelli contacts here so your car hire firm is ripping you off. Oh I hope you are not with Avis.
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im getting avis car in jan whats wrong with them ? |
Hi Col,
I have replied to you by PM as I'm not sure that my response is appropriate for Snowheads.
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You know it makes sense.
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Chains are not a substitute for winter tyres, they are additional devices to give you extra traction (inc better traction when braking). Check the insurance complications - if you have an accident they may not pay out.
Sounds like a rip off. What's the car, who's the car hire company and have you tried other car hire companies?
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