 Poster: A snowHead
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A quick question that I am sure has been asked many times (have tried searching).
Chamonix trip in February. Is the law stating that standard tyres are ok but chains are required (where needed), or are snow/all season (M&S) tyres compulsory and chains still required where needed?
I heard the law has changed from this year, but need clarification.
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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In France I believe it’s standard tyres are fine but snow tyres are recommended. Chains are a requirement.
We rented from Lyon and have normal tyres as couldn’t get snow ones. Drove up to La Tania yesterday and bought chains on the way for 24 euros.
Was fine until in La Tania it’s self were we struggled but managed to get here ok but would have flown up with winter tyres.
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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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It's still legal to have rubbish tyres in France, but be aware that at times it can be very dangerous!
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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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Is carrying chains really mandatory all winter in France? Or is it just that during bad weather the police may require drivers to have chains on certain roads? (so if you didn't have them, you might not be able to get to or leave your resort)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Chamonix is a large town in a valley (1,000m), and so it's highly unlikely you'd encounter the situation where drivers would be turned back if not in possession of snow chains. If it's that bad, you'd probably stay put even if you had chains.
Winter tyres are highly recommended for travel in the mountains in the winter time.
So, if you don't have chains, the worst that happens is that there's a freak mega dump in the Chamonix valley, and the police deny you and all other all cars not suitably equipped to continue (chains or 4x4 with winter tyres). They don't fine you, impound your car, or arrest you (unless you disobey their denial). Of course, you may get into Chamonix at the start of your stay, and then at the end, find you're stranded there, until the freak mega-dump is snow-ploughed away (such that chain-less cars are once again permitted).
So, you only need to take chains if you simply cannot risk the remote possibility that a freak mega-dump will delay your arrival or departure.
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Just buy chains. Don’t rent them.
60 euro from Europcar for us or 24 euro from a supermarket on the way.
If you are really that unsure, if you don’t use them then take them back on the way home for a refund.
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Interesting in the car park at Montalbert yesterday afternoon in the heavy snow. Every single car with summer tyres needed chains, every single car with winters did not. Trouble was that the road down had been ploughed with only a thin layer of snow left, completely unsuitable for chains. Perfect example of why summer tyres and chains is a very poor substitute for proper tyres.
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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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@RobinS, indeed, as encountered many times by myself as well
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Yes, I should have qualified "worst that happens" as being from a legal compliance aspect.
Taking a car with summer tyres (and no chains) into the mountains, does mean that in the event of sudden heavy snowfall, or icy road conditions you will most likely:
1) Be unable to progress (and must be rescued by breakdown service/passersby/police/etc), or worse,
2) Cause an accident (potentially not covered by insurance), possibly being liable to prosecution for being negligent, or worse,
3) Lose control, leaving the road into an unobserved area, where subject to injuries/damage, you end up with hypothermia, etc.
Winter tyres are highly recommended. Snow chains enable progress in conditions where the tyres need additional traction.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| RobinS wrote: |
| Interesting in the car park at Montalbert yesterday afternoon in the heavy snow. Every single car with summer tyres needed chains, every single car with winters did not. Trouble was that the road down had been ploughed with only a thin layer of snow left, completely unsuitable for chains. Perfect example of why summer tyres and chains is a very poor substitute for proper tyres. |
Snow socks would fill that gap.
I've seen the difference winter tyres make - even M&S are no match for them.
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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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Only issue I have with socks, is in a big snow event the number of dead ones you see at the side of the road. Agree they are probably fine to get you out of trouble for a short distance.
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| RobinS wrote: |
| Only issue I have with socks, is in a big snow event the number of dead ones you see at the side of the road. Agree they are probably fine to get you out of trouble for a short distance. |
Exactly!
We were reluctant to get rid of our M&S ( too new) for the Cross Climates which would better suit our needs so the socks have given us the traction we need for campsite manoeuvres.
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You know it makes sense.
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I once hired a car from the french side of GVA for a trip to Chamonix - no winter tyres or chains. We got a cold snowy spell and there was snow on the roads as far down as Les Houches. It got very scary and I've never made that mistake again
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FAQ
I know what you mean.
