 Poster: A snowHead
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We are taking Eurotunnel rather than flying this time and staying in Tignes Le Lavachet (Lavachet Lodge) February half term.
We are on the midnight train on Friday 13th and then going to drive through and return the following Sunday - but leaving resort on Saturday
Any help regarding route/trip/car park/equipment etc very much appreciated - probably going to hire a car for the trip
Also any ideas for hotel on the Saturday night for return journey around half way or just over back to Eurotunnel
Sorry so many questions but new to this
Many 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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Keep going Sat AM. Try and get to Bourg before 11 - even then you might be queuing. Make sure you have chains and know how to fit them. You will need a head torch and big plastic bag to make putting them on easier. Pre book parking it will be full that week via Tignes.net. Book the Lavachet indoor park if you can its across the road from your pad.
I use the BB hotel at Troyes, its 2km off the AutoRoute has a nice Italian next to it and a very cheap petrol station across the road and it has auto check in if you are late. Plan on leaving resort after 3pm of before 6am.
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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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I think the latest 'snowmageddon' in the alps reinforces the need for winter tyres. Just been reading the prefect of Savoie, Eric Jalon's assessment of the issues in the Dauphine libere. First of course was the snow on the busiest changeover day of the year. Then some freezing rain made matters worse. Then HGVs, which were forbidden at the time as well conspired to make a problem.
But then the real perfect storm happened when a large percentage of these thousands of cars were ill equipped for the conditions. Lack of winter tyres, blocking roads by changing into snow chains too early, blocking roads by changing into snow chains too, or not having them at all. Apparently, many hundreds of cars were turned around at the chambery peages as they didn't have snow chains.
It's unlikely that there will be heavy snow on the february half term changeover day. Purely because it doesn't snow heavily that many days over winter. But it is perfectly possible. I wouldn't drive to the alps without winter tyres. I also have snow socks and chains (but have only used them once).
Yesterday, really does show that going to the alps in winter without winter tyres is irresponsible.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Make sure all the car's fluids are good for -20C.
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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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I've done the drive three times from Leeds to the Chamonix area in one go. Just check your sat nav route before you go to ensure its avoiding the Town Centres. Like everyone else has said have your snow chains to hand. Also don't forget your high visibilty jacket, spare bulbs etc. To be honest I don't mind the drive, clear roads and good scenery. Enjoy!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
It's unlikely that there will be heavy snow on the february half term changeover day
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Now there's a forecast!! The overall probability of a heavy snowfall on one day is low but it is just as likely to happen in any of the months between Dec and Mar in Tignes. Remember the storm of March 06 anyone - yesterdays was a mere flurry by comparison (1.5 m in less than 36 hrs)
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Thanks very much - great help so far
Noted just drive straight through to resort and not book a hotel for Friday night
Found car park to book and so will get onto that once have reg number for hire car - will book that with winter tyres and hire snow chains etc with the package
Found info on hotel for way back as recommended - certainly looks like it will be good for what we need it for
Will start having a good look at route and plan that now
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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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Thanks again any suggestions about car hire with winter tyre/snow package etc in UK we are in hampshire
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| Quote: |
| Found car park to book and so will get onto that |
If you want to save €75 there are two free car parks in Tignes - one at Les Brevieres and one at Tignes 1800 (which was formerly Les Boisses). Both are adjacent to the slopes for easy ski in/out - although last season at least there was no lift ticket office at Tignes 1800. Even if for timing/logistics purposes you pay to park at each end of your holiday, you can still save a bit by using the free car parks. Most of the Tignes car parks (if not all?) allow 2 hours free parking, which is handy for dropping off/picking up luggage.
Les Brevieres free car park is a lot bigger than the 1800 one - so more chance of getting in there at half term. Take a shovel in case you need to dig the car out - worth doing that the day before you leave - can take longer than you think.
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| any suggestions about car hire with winter tyre/snow package etc in UK |
Do UK car hire companies generally let you take the car abroad no problem? Auto Europe (online) generally include winter tyres in Alpine rentals at least - so they might be worth a try.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Do UK car hire companies generally let you take the car abroad no problem? Auto Europe (online) generally include winter tyres in Alpine rentals at least - so they might be worth a try. |
i did it once (during summer months). Can't remember exactly which company but I think it was Europcar from Heathrow. You need to have a permission from them which will obviously cost extra. I paid something around 40-50 quid for 48 hours. I'd be surprised if they fitted winter tyres and have any chains in stock.
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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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Ok thanks for all that will ring around and check some companies. If not will look into snow chains for our t5 van and take that
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@SharleyG, the roof box company will give excellent advice on suitable snow chains.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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@SharleyG, I would recommend that you pre book car parking. I was in Val Claret over New Year and the car parks there were all full. However we were issued parking tickets for IIRC 5 euro a day so we could park on the streets. Even then there were not a lot of free spaces.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
Noted just drive straight through to resort and not book a hotel for Friday night
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Always a matter for debate and IME whatever suits you. There is no way we could do this as we are not night owls, on the occasions when I have had to stay up all night the next few days I have been a zombie. Personally I'd rather have a nights sleep
BUT - appreciate for some people it is the preferred option.
As for hotel on way back, we often use the Val Moret near Troyes - we've had no problems with it, but others don't rate it.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@SharleyG, leaving the resort after a full day's skiing on the quiet changeover Saturday is an excellent idea. I personally would stop before the Val Moret if not leaving till around 5 - 6 pm. Dijon, maybe.
On the way down, if you're not crossing till midnight you won't be on the road from Calais till around 2 am. Even a fairly straight drive through (assuming a good clear night dry roads etc and a sensible number of stops for coffee for driver etc, will see you hit heavy traffic before you get to the Tarentaise. And if the road is wet (speed limit 69 mph) or it's foggy, it won't be very fast journey. No chance of getting away a bit earlier?
However well laid your plans the tunnel often seems to get choked up on the Friday night of half term. So don't make firm plans, have supplies in the car and a stock of good listening material, and go with the flow. Be prepared to stop.
If it's very nasty on the road I'd stop for the night and aim to arrive resort after 5 pm on the Saturday.
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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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Oh course the good thing about self drive is that with the exception of crossing the channel you are in charge. Get too tired driving - stop in an aire for a hour or two of sleep. Conditions too bad or the autoroute closed due to an accident - stop, or even go somewhere different, feeling hungry - then get a meal, but remember that the service station restaurants will be closed from about 21:00 in the evening, fed up with "in our time" - then put "more or less" on (I have downloaded "War and Peace" for my next trip)
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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: |
I have downloaded "War and Peace" for my next trip
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 that should do it!
I agree about the pleasures of being flexible. I don't book hotels because I never know when - or whether - I'm going to want to stop. But then i don't travel at half term, when it's particularly important to book on the Friday night, if you want to stopover fairly near the resorts.
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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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Thanks for all this. Can't get away earlier unfortunately as limited on tunnel booking. Will pack up the van with lots of supplies and just see how we go. Just trying to work out best app to use for nav as don't have a sat nav have read Co pilot is good as offline anyone else used it or other suggestions?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@SharleyG, I used copilot for getting around the Dolomites and across Switzerland this summer. It was excellent and well worth the price
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Great thanks for that will get Co pilot for the trip then
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@SharleyG, There is no need to go over any closed passes to get to Tignes. If your sat nav says go via Petit Saint Bernard ignore it.
Have you booked parking yet? I might be able to help.
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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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Ok will take note of that Re: Car park - nothing booked I've been advised to go to Les Boisses and then catch the bus back
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@SharleyG, it's an extremely simple journey. Look up on Google and make a few notes. Or buy a cheap map!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Follow the signs for the A26 and Arras, then Reims, then Lyon, then Lyon Airport, then Chambery, then Albertville, then Moutiers, then Bourg St Maurice, then Tignes, As Pam says easy!
Be prepared for all the free parking to be full, if its a diesel you could be playing the lottery game if we have very cold temps.
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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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@chocksaway, It was -14 at New year week and the car started first turn of the key - but took ages to warm up. I have never had problems even to below -20.
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