 Poster: A snowHead
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We've booked to go to Chatel at Easter and will be driving. Google maps shows the quickest route from Calais going through Switzerland and travelling across from Morgins to Chatel. Does anyone know whether that road is open in the winter? It's not that high so I guess it is, but getting there to find it's shut is a cock-up I'd like to avoid 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The Pas de Morgins is open all winter and cleared quickly when it snows. The altitude is only 1369m so really not likely to be a problem at Easter. Usual caveats of winter tyres/chains apply however.
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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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Thanks! Have just picked up a set of chains on ebay so should be ok in that respect, Must remember to practice putting them on before I go...
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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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If you are going through Switzerland then you will need a Vignette (SFR40) to travel on the motorways.
Although I am a little skeptical that going that way actually saves you time - google says 30 minutes, but you can easily spend that stuck behind a tractor or putting chains on (although they probably won't be needed at Easter).
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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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Higher chance of getting held up by tractors or traffic on the French side, in my opinion. Swiss side has more motorway and fewer bottlenecks.
But you're right about the chf40 vignette.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| clived wrote: |
| We've booked to go to Chatel at Easter and will be driving. Google maps shows the quickest route from Calais going through Switzerland and travelling across from Morgins to Chatel. Does anyone know whether that road is open in the winter? It's not that high so I guess it is, but getting there to find it's shut is a cock-up I'd like to avoid |
I skiied PdS one year based in Morgins and it is an easy drive up the hill from the valley.
We stayed right on the border and drove across to Chatel once or twice. Really quick and easy.
It's a main cross border route, including (when i was there) a manned border post - so definitely gets cleared and fine for your trip, so nothing to worry about.
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Best route (based on at least 50 trips out from the UK) is Calais, Reims, Troyes, Langres, Dole, Besancon (all motorway so far) then through the Jura via Pontarlier, cross the Swiss border at Vallorbe then Swiss motorway to Lausanne and up the Rhone valley to Monthey then over the Pas de Morgins to Chatel.
Reckon on 7.5-8 hours actual driving plus stops. I generally allow 10 hours for the journey plus whatever faffing time you need on top.
Things that slow you down are snow or fog, peak week delays at the peage or road accidents. Rain not so much - even if you stick to 110kph when it rains it is surprising how little time you lose and how much fuel you save. It can be slow over the Jura but it is weight of traffic rather than tractors that cause delay. That bit of road is generally fairly quiet and you can overtake tractors.
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Thanks for all the advice.
@DJL: thanks for the route info, I wouldn't have thought of going through the Jura.It's always good to benefit from someone else's experience
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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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@clived, it saves a few quid on tolls and to be honest after a solid 6 hours of French motorways (good as they are) and aires I'm ready for a break. We tend to stop at aires that have a "Paul" cafe for good coffee and very good sandwiches.
There are other routes through the Jura but via Besancon suits us as we've found a great baker just after the tunnel under the citadel. What's not to like about a fresh pizza slice after a day on the road?!
The road Besancon-Pontarlier-Valorbe is pretty good though there are some long sections of single carriageway and it gets up to about 1100m so there can be snow.
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We drive a lot to Sierre, slightly further along the Rhone Valley but definitely agree with @DJL, about driving over the Jura. Lovely roads and the towns are great for a stop-off. We usually drive via Poligny (great wine shops), Champagnole, Morbier and Station Les Rousses, then across the border at La Cure, often unmanned. Then down a fantastic twisty road to Nyon; it is worth casting an eye on the weather forecast before driving that way though. I have occasionally bailed and driven out through Geneva and onto the French autoroute system. I reckon time wise there is little to choose between the two but quite a few extra miles and tolls on the autoroute option. @clived, I'd be surprised if you have any difficulty with your drive but I think chains are a good idea especially if you don't have a set of winter tyres on the car.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@DJL, Not been tempted by the bypass around Besancon or are the pizza slices that good ?
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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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Pizza beats bypass any day!
For anyone really interested the bakery is next to a KTM motorcycle shop just after the Total petrol station. 2 minute parking right outside or longer stops (if you can't wait to get stuck into the pizza) opposite.
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