 Poster: A snowHead
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So my friends and are travelling from Lyon airport to Les arcs via car rental from the airport.
However, snow chains are an issue for us. The car rental company says that they will not hire us some snow chains with the rental... This I find weird for a country with specific laws about snow chains.
So I have a couple of questions.....our plan is to buy some here and take them with us in our baggage. However, I have little experience of snow chains. Do you have to buy snow chains that will be specific to your vehicle based on tyre / wheel dimensions? Or can you buy generic 'small car' or 'large car' snow chains?
Failing that, can anyone recommend somewhere en route between Lyons airport and les arcs that we could pick them up? For example, are they readily available in supermarkets across there?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| gadget83 wrote: |
| For example, are they readily available in supermarkets across there? |
Yes.
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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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| Quote: |
Do you have to buy snow chains that will be specific to your vehicle based on tyre / wheel dimensions?
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Yes. And you won't know that till you get the 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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@gadget83, chains come in a variety of sizes, so don't buy a pair until you know what tyre size you are trying to fit. Most supermarkets and garages sell chains, so there'll be plenty of opportunity to buy between Lyon and Les Arcs.
What is the rental company? Surprised that they don't have a 'winter equipment' option.
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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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My brother in law tried, and failed, to rent chains with a car from the French side of Geneva airport. Europcar, IIRC. It does seem mad, but it happens. There have also been several reports on SHs of people being given the wrong size chains - and finding out at the roadside.....
Buying a pair in a supermarket would be a good idea, if (as everybody hopes) heavy snow is on the cards. Just make sure you have a quick practice in easy conditions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@gadget83, we once hired a VW Golf fitted with snow tyres. During 10 snowy days driving up various mountains from Bourg St Maurice, we never had to fit snow chains once. Carrying the right size snow chains is a must. Sometimes essential and in certain conditions traffic police would not let you continue without them. But snow tyres can minimise how often you have to use snow chains.
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| pam w wrote: |
| My brother in law tried, and failed, to rent chains with a car from the French side of Geneva airport. Europcar, IIRC. |
It does seem mad, and the main reason why I rent from the Swiss side of GVA where winter tyres come as standard. I once got caught out with a hire car from Lyon which had regular tyres. It was in October so I didn't think about having chains in the car, but there was a cold snap and snow to resort level. With the regular tyres on the hire car I had no hope of getting up the very modest incline from my apartment, so with a flight looming I had to dig two clear tracks to drive up the road, quite backbreaking with an avy shovel!
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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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Folks
That's brilliant. Thanks for your advice....sorry for not getting back to you sooner.....not online too much.
You've put my mind at ease.
Thanks
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| pam w wrote: |
My brother in law tried, and failed, to rent chains with a car from the French side of Geneva airport. Europcar, IIRC. It does seem mad, but it happens. There have also been several reports on SHs of people being given the wrong size chains - and finding out at the roadside.....
Buying a pair in a supermarket would be a good idea, if (as everybody hopes) heavy snow is on the cards. Just make sure you have a quick practice in easy conditions. |
just hired a car from budget at Geneva, on the French side....the desk clerk offerred us snow chains !
Knowing I can buy any on route I declined...
Must depend on hire company, I am sure I have seen them as an option when booking on line but I didn, t pay that much attention this time !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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"Knowing I can buy any on route"
Knowing the forecast that's probably the thing to do.
However, even with relatively standard rental car sizes, stocks in village garages ar not all that comprehensive and if it's Sunday most places are closed...
So not an easy universal solution.
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