 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I've booked seats on a flight that lands in Grenoble at 3:40pm. We'll then drive by hire car to a resort (haven't decided which one yet)
I'm concerned this may be a bit late in the afternoon (we're going the week beginning 14th March so the internet says sunset will be 6:41pm)? Although I'll be taking snow chains and shovel etc I'm not very experienced driving on ice/snow.
This is the current short list for resorts, do you think any of these are too far to make safely before dark?
Brides Les Bains
Meribel
Alpe D'huez
La Grave
Orelle
Bourg Saint Maurice
Thanks for your help,
Mnbv
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Alpe D'Huez is the closest only a couple of hours if the traffic is OK. Even at this time of year there would still be a little light left. La Grave isn't much further easy by daylight in March.
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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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@mnbv, i wouldn't worry about driving in the dark, provided you're normally a confident driver and happy to drive in the dark at home. Just make sure you know where you're going, have a proper map and don't rely on a sat nav without checking where it's taking you. If there's snow about make sure you know how to put the snow chains on and do it as soon as you feel any loss of traction. Don't play music; you need to be listening for wheel spin, as well as feeling it.
And be pleased ; snow is just what you're after!
There's no great mystique about driving on snow. Keep revs down, stay in highest gear practicable, leave plenty of space between vehicles, drive on eggshells, steer gently into a skid. Above all, don't panic. If you get stuck, rock car a bit in forward and reverse, drop back a bit,put something under wheels to increase friction, get passengers to push if all fails and if it's safe. Oh, and you will do better with wheels straight.
Probably the roads will be clear!
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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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If you're this nervous about merely driving in the dark, how are you going to cope with La Grave? 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Lizzard, exactly, some snowHeads had to ski down in the dark after some knob got himself stranded on Banane a couple of years ago and their guide had to help him down and call the heli.
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Driving in france at this time of the year is foolhardy to say the least unless you take a qualifide guide,snow chains , backup 4x4 jeep,vhf radios , mountain tent and enough food to last a week.let us know how your experdition goes good luck you will be in my prayers 
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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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Haha ok thanks for the advice!
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I think there are big Scarry monsters that come out after dark in the alps
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Jon e wrote: |
| Driving in france at this time of the year is foolhardy to say the least unless you take a qualifide guide,snow chains , backup 4x4 jeep,vhf radios , mountain tent and enough food to last a week.let us know how your experdition goes good luck you will be in my prayers |
Surely you forgot that you must have a driving instructor in a red suit who has driven round le mans within 18% of the time of Romain Grosjean in the car in front of you.
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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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@Timbobaggins, it's called a dahu.
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| mnbv wrote: |
Hi,
I've booked seats on a flight that lands in Grenoble at 3:40pm. We'll then drive by hire car to a resort (haven't decided which one yet)
I'm concerned this may be a bit late in the afternoon (we're going the week beginning 14th March so the internet says sunset will be 6:41pm)? Although I'll be taking snow chains and shovel etc I'm not very experienced driving on ice/snow.
This is the current short list for resorts, do you think any of these are too far to make safely before dark?
Brides Les Bains
Meribel
Alpe D'huez
La Grave
Orelle
Bourg Saint Maurice
Thanks for your help,
Mnbv |
if you are hiring a car - why not get one with winter tyres? If you have that you should mostly be fine - they grip very nicely on a lot of snowy surfaces. (two seasons of driving every weekend to french/swiss ski resorts with winter tyres - and not once did I need snow chains)
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You know it makes sense.
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I make 3:40 the middle of the afternoon. It will very much like driving in the UK at that time of day and year. Your hire car will come with headlights so you can drive after dark in it. (before anyone laughs, one of my motor bikes is street legal and doesn't have or need any lights).
Grenoble airport is actually quite a long way from Grenoble and I suspect Bourg st Maurice is getting on for a 2 hour drive away. Provided you get your hire fairly quickly and the flight is on time etc should be at any of them before 6:40. Since you are driving east you shouldn't have the setting sun in your eyes.
My only suggestion will be to take a torch in the remote possibility you will have to use snow chains after dark. And you will need to rent or buy snow chains. I would be surprised and delighted if you actually have to drive on snow to get to any of the resorts you have listed
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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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@chocksaway, He is not doing a 'Top Gear "Challenge"' just driving to a ski resort. And even then you forgot the full written risk assessment.
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