 Poster: A snowHead
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Supposed to be staying overnight in Reims after getting 5pm Chunnel.
In light of predicted forecast do we
1 stay with that plan and do battle with all the Saturday traffic and possible snow
2 just drive on through the night and get there ahead of the traffic and most of the bad weather.
I m in favour of option 2 but it's a gruelling prospect.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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What about getting up at 5am, having some sleep, if a bit shorter, and still be ahead of the traffic?
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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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@stefoy4me, I'd be inclined for option 2 but it depends where you are starting from in the UK and how many drivers you have.
A couple of years ago it snowed the Saturday before Christmas and I merrily went down to Bourg (from Montchavin) late afternoon to do some shopping. It was absolute chaos on the road up, which was littered with cars. The police were stopping people without winter tyres and making them put chains on. Though there are stopping place on the road there were nowhere near enough for the volume of cars so they were all just stopped in the road. So, traveling at peak time in a snow storm could be fairly grueling too.
Can you wait and make the decision on Friday based on the weather forecast then?
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I'm leaving at about 7:30 Boxing Day, albeit from London, getting 10am tunnel and either stopping for the night in chambery or trying to do the whole trip in 1 go. Definitely want to get to resort early on sat
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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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Happy Christmas Guys. 
If you're not an all night driver (like me), I would drive on until you feel tired - sometime between 10 and midnight, and then stop at the nest motorwayside "motel", have a few hours kip and set off after an early breakfast.
Of course, whatever weather has been forecast probably won't happen, so you could stick with Plan 1, but i would be up and going by 6am or earlier Saturday morning
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Jonpim plan is a goodie. I would definitely want to get well south of rheims. Personally and with two drivers and the snow and traffic forecast I would drive through but that knocks some people out more than others.
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I woudl go with @wyspa that way if the snow arrives you're dealing with it in the light of day and not when you're sleep deprived!
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 be ok? They're not snow tyres. We plan to arrive mid afternoon on sunday. I wonder whether the storm and heavy snowfall will have passed.
What's you comments people??
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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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If traffic and snow are heavy police may require chains on all vehicles except 4x4s with good snow tyres. It only takes one skidding numpty to cause an immense traffic jam.
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We're doing the same drive (to Ste Foy) setting off from Surrey early Sat morning for shuttle, expecting a long day. Hoping Subaru Forester with winter tyres gets us through ok, never let us down before.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@philipb, if conditions are so bad that you can't get through with a Scooby and winter tyres I suspect there will be other, more worrying things to think about!
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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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Meteox is currently suggesting heavy snow from about 2~3am on Saturday morning thru to 10am Sunday. Difficult to avoid the snow by arriving early but you might miss the traffic. All other things being equal, I'd guess I'd plan on arriving soon after first light.
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It should only be rain/sleet West of the Jura until later on Saturday, so you should be able to get as close as you want before daylight.
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You know it makes sense.
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In all the years i've been driving to the alps i've never had an issue getting to resort, even when it's been snowing heavily when driving into bourg the roads have been fine as they've been plowed and salted. I've never used winter tyres and have used chains and socks only a handful of times on the last few miles into resort. Even the year the tunnel was shut due to blizzards the motorways wern't all that bad.
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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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@francium., Ha! You obviously weren't in BSM last year on changeover Saturday between Xmas and New Year - total chaos. Roads up to Les Arcs and EK both closed, traffic in town gridlocked - wasn't possible to plough or salt the roads as they were all covered in cars and buses. We were coming *down* from Les Arcs to BSM and that took six hours. Hotel owner told us that is only happens one or two nights a year - but when it does, no chance of going anywhere.
We are catching (hopefully) the 11.30am eurotunnel tomorrow, and are booking to a hotel in Dijon tomorrow night. Plan leaving there not too early Saturday morning and in BSM early afternoon - hoping to keep ahead of the traffic.
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Poster: A snowHead
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yeah it's down to timing really it's not the snow that stops you most the time it's other drivers it's even worse in the uk, i always time it to avoid most of the changeover traffic, i'll be leaving the uk early tomorrow down to chambery then i'll be in resort for lifts opening on saturday morning.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mostly you don't need to worry but when police insist on chains you have no choice if you want to get up the hill. My brother in law had to put chains on his Escort rented in Switzerland with snow tyres though it was coping fine with the conditions. You can do many journeys without equipment but when you need it, you really do.
I once had to put chains on my snow tyres to get decent traction and travelled for several snowy miles behind a car with snow sox which seemed to be going well.
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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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Rent a set of chains on the way down ... its insurance against snow.
Thinking about it ... don't rent chains .. and get stuck in the snow
lots of people except you, will enjoy it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I wonder how he's doing . . .
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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 think he's doing the right thing getting away today, may stay ahead of the problems.
We're setting off early doors tomorrow morning and have a feeling it's going to be a long day - small price to pay for some snow though.
I think we'd have left today if it weren't for a extended family get together today.
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Hi peeps.not left yet. Leaving shortly but already a problem on m11.
Probable solution will be get a few hours kip at Reims and get up at 3am and press on.
Hopefully be ahead of the traffic and majority of problems.
VW Toureag with two silver roof boxes, toot if you pass.
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Have a safe trip down.
Wish I was going, but wouldn't fancy the drive; give me a jet
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@stefoy4me, hope you have a good journey. Will look out for you but if we see you you've had problems! Perhaps see you on the slopes.
We're in black Subaru Forester with British Cycling sticker on the back.
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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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watching the reports with interest- leaving 8:20 eurotunnel tonight XC90 roofbox and skis st foy sticker!
we usually get into the resort 8-9am barring no hold ups, used to be able to ski the first day but generally leave it for sunday now.
old geezer ski in am board in pm, green jacket/ blue salopettes usually with wife and 4 kids ( well adults now) say hello if you see us!
lets hope the snow arrives as promised. remember a few years back at xmas there was nothing then a big dump transformed the place and we had best snow of the season.
fun times! you can tell I am getting excited
cheerio
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Roads in France very busy , everyone moving before tomorrow's Snow , warnings on the matrix signs on the autoroutes , Snow tomorrow !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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1500hrs and crystal clear skies here in the Maurienne , sub-zero temps all day, not a breath of wind. Right now I'm looking across at Aiguille de Peclet/Cime de Caron (Val Thorens) and Pointe de la Masse above Les Menuires. If there's a storm a-coming it doesn't feel like it!
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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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Hhhhmmmm....... Bringing forward the leave time at Reims from 3am to 2am.......very little options in making this journey without pain somewhere!!!!
Oh well come Monday I ll be knee deep in powder!!!!
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Looking like could be snow for much of the journey tomorrow. Heavy snow forecast all day in Chambery. Time for a glass of wine, more turkey, an evening by the fire and see what tomorrow brings!
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You know it makes sense.
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| RobW wrote: |
@francium., Ha! You obviously weren't in BSM last year on changeover Saturday between Xmas and New Year - total chaos. Roads up to Les Arcs and EK both closed, traffic in town gridlocked - wasn't possible to plough or salt the roads as they were all covered in cars and buses. We were coming *down* from Les Arcs to BSM and that took six hours. Hotel owner told us that is only happens one or two nights a year - but when it does, no chance of going anywhere.
We are catching (hopefully) the 11.30am eurotunnel tomorrow, and are booking to a hotel in Dijon tomorrow night. Plan leaving there not too early Saturday morning and in BSM early afternoon - hoping to keep ahead of the traffic. |
We were - had no problem getting out. Left 8am and were home in UK by 10pm. Don't recall it even snowing!!!
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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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Hi all, enjoying the journey debates. We left UK via tunnel this morning 07:56 crossing & are now settled in novotel north of Lyon. Looking forward to good nights kip & a leisurely breakfast tomorrow before the climb up to paradiski & belle plagne.
Journey smooth but traffic definately starting to build up at the motorway stops with gathering skiers. Turkey sandwiches and croisant a great combo. brilliant news about the snow tomorrow. Expecting to use the chains but itsusually fine in the daylight so long as were not stuck behind a slider. the only way is up!🙌
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Boris wrote: |
| RobW wrote: |
| @francium., Ha! You obviously weren't in BSM last year on changeover Saturday between Xmas and New Year - total chaos. Roads up to Les Arcs and EK both closed, traffic in town gridlocked - wasn't possible to plough or salt the roads as they were all covered in cars and buses. We were coming *down* from Les Arcs to BSM and that took six hours. Hotel owner told us that is only happens one or two nights a year - but when it does, no chance of going anywhere. |
:~/ We were - had no problem getting out. Left 8am and were home in UK by 10pm. Don't recall it even snowing!!! |
You were clear of it before it started. It was the early evening (through to early hours with the major delays which built up) that the problem hit.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ah that would explain it
I remember leaving one year and heavy snow was predicted Friday eve for the Sat, I popped down and put my chains on in daylight and warm sunshine, to bemused looks by everyone. Boy was I smug when I drove out the car park while everyone else was knee deep in snow putting chains on in the dark
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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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Just arrived in Oz en Oisans after a surprisingly busy drive down with plenty of traffic leaving the alps as we got closer. Only hold up was a nasty looking jackknifed artic gone through the central reservation an hour or so from Calais but still took 9 hours from tunnel. Weather -3 here but clear up to Grenoble and clouds building as we climbed. Matrix signs giving snow warnings from Dijon. Have several friends about to leave the UK for the overnight drive, glad we're here with a cuppa - good luck and safe travel to everyone on the roads this weekend 
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@Nick D, A stiff G&T I think is on the cards. Have fun.
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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'm heading for the tunnel from North Wales about 4:30 tomorrow morning. Hoping the traffic won't be too bad heading through Germany for Austria. Also in a black Forester with good winter tyres 
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@stefoy4me, have you made it yet?
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A great if long drive for me. Hardly any traffic but heavy snow in Belgium and north Germany slowed me down.
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@Scarpa, I'm waiting for news from rumdiary to hear that he and the family made it back to the UK in one piece. I heard from him when he was passing Stuttgart and starting to worry - in a Beamer with normal tyres. I re-routed him using the motorways to avoid the B10 over the Rhinland-Pfalz national park. I'm pretty sure he missed his train through the tunnel.
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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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Philip , we made it to Ste foy at. 3am
Absolute pig of a journey, should have stuck with my guy instinct and drive through rather than stopping at Reims.
Here now and very happy!!!!
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My friend broke down just north of Reims yesterday @ 10 am. Took six hours to get towed to a garage and a hire car sorted. Back on the road at 4pm and arrived @ midnight albeit in the northern alps so missed most of the issues to the south. But ironically he felt quite lucky to have missed most of the issues on the A40 into Geneva.
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FAQ
