 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Guys,
First post on here and looking for some help/advice 
Traveling to VT on the 4th of December till the 8th of December. So transfers have been a nightmare to secure without them being ridiculously prices (E700 for 2 people return!)
So ive looked into booking a car in Lyon airport and driving to Val Thorens. Ive driven in snow before but not exactly sure what to expect. The cheaper car companies which I have found ( under 25 so being robbed on fees ) do not have an option to add snow chains and because I am booking a car in France they dont come with winter tyres as standard.
I am wondering if anyone has done the route recently and can recommend somewhere to pick up a set of chains on the way? I am only looking at booking small car for the drive as there are only two of us traveling and looking to keep the costs down.
If anyone knows of anywhere in between to pick up chains it would be really appreciated!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You could try a large supermarket in Chambery or Albertville for chains.
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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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| rjs wrote: |
| You could try a large supermarket in Chambery or Albertville for chains. |
Ah perfect! I didnt realise they were so readily available over there. I assumed i wouldve needed to go to a motor factors or something along the lines of that.
Thanks!
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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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There is a motorfactors (feu vert)in Chambery - close to Carrefour supermarket, so you could check first.
Dont tell car rental you are heading to the alps, as winterisation fee maybe mandatory if going to specific areas.
Also, if you buy & dont use them then dont forget to return them for a refund 
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 11-11-19 16:44; edited 1 time in total
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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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Brillaint! Thanks for all the quick replies!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Generally all of the mountain area supermarkets have a stock of chains during winter.
Take a photo of the tire spec (size etc) so that you can check properly while at the shelves to get fit correct.
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Yeah its mainly to do with the days we are there. Wednesday -> Sunday rather then the usual Saturday -> Saturday.
That price was off GetTransfers and it has since come down to 520 assuming its like a bidding site where taxis/private transfers can offer a price from the transfer.
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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 convenience is more important than money then most motorway service stations between Lyon and VT stock common sizes of chains.
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@lawwley, Did you check the times and cost of getting the train to Moutiers ? Also consider the cost of parking in Val Thorens.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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rjs,
Good idea re: the train. Then take a bus from Moutiers.
Or, if driving, you can drop the luggage at the digs then drive to Les Menuires and park for free. Then ski back to Val T. And, finally, ski back to the car at the end of the trip.
No need to pay €80 to park. 
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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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@Bergmeister, Look at the dates, the Les Menuires lifts won't be open at the start of the trip. Someone could get the bus back to Val Thorens from Les Menuires after dumping the car if it is running yet.
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The roads up to VT are wide and flat and not difficult to drive.
Local traffic is heavy and constant and the plows keep it clear most of the time.
Being so early in the season, and due to global warming, heavy road snow is unlikely.
Just buy a set of chains in the valley supermarket. Throw them in the trunk. Head on up.
The uphill part takes about 1hr.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for all the replies ! Really didnt expect this much info so thanks for giving us a few ideas.
@rjs The train to Moutiers + bus is out as we arrive to late to moutiers to catch a bus to VT, but could be an option if we can get a Taxi from Moutiers was looking online there and it says approx €85 one way.
Its looking like the rental car is the best option at the minute. The parking in VT is €31 for the 4/5 days which isnt to 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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VT IS 2300m - and we've sometimes seen pandemonium all the way not from Les Menuires, not from St Martin, but from Moutiers. I'm not saying you are sure to need the chains (or at least winter tyres) but better safe than sorry.
Come to think of it, maybe the Lyon car will be fitted with winter tyres anyway? Not sure what the regulation is in that department (69) - I have rented in Geneva and was amazed to see only the front wheels were winter. It was fun at every roundabout...
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Poster: A snowHead
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| patrick! wrote: |
VT IS 2300m - and we've sometimes seen pandemonium all the way not from Les Menuires, not from St Martin, but from Moutiers. I'm not saying you are sure to need the chains (or at least winter tyres) but better safe than sorry.
Come to think of it, maybe the Lyon car will be fitted with winter tyres anyway? Not sure what the regulation is in that department (69) - I have rented in Geneva and was amazed to see only the front wheels were winter. It was fun at every roundabout... |
Winters on the front only? This must be illegal and you should have challenged the rental company!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@mooney058, many people who live in the French Alps only put winter tyres on the front wheels. If at all.
@lawwley, the last time I flew to Lyon (It was a long time ago when British Airways were still in business) the pandimonium at the rental desk where people where trying to get snow chains was too much. As others have said it is easier and cheeper to buy chains on the way. Most motorway service stations sell them for the common small car tyre sizes. It way be more tricky if the rent a truck.
One winter my wife rented a car in Milan and requested snow chains with the hire. It came with two sets in the boot. The previous renter had bought a set.
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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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| Mr.Egg wrote: |
There is a motorfactors (feu vert)in Chambery - close to Carrefour supermarket, so you could check first.
Dont tell car rental you are heading to the alps, as winterisation fee maybe mandatory if going to specific areas.
Also, if you buy & dont use them then dont forget to return them for a refund |
Exactly! I'd recommend snowsocks or the elasticized poly ones you can slip on. Don't bother with metal chains as they will drive you crazy trying to install them by the side of the road. Odds are you won't need them as the road to VT is kept as clear as possible for obvious reasons, but still need to carry them. Pro tip: Before you go into the supermarket, write down tire size COMPLETELY, including the inches...ask me how I know this.
I've always found a good selection in hypermarches in the pre-Alps, but if you can find a dedicated tire store so much the better.
Lyon to VT is a longish transfer but still surprised price is so high. Did you look carefully at this site? Apologies if you did.
https://www.lyonaeroports.com/en/access-transports/ski-shuttles/val-thorens
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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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I think the recent cold snap has caused Hell to freeze over, as I find myself endorsing the comments of
IceCold-MichellePfeiffer-Whitegold
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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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| Pasigal wrote: |
| Mr.Egg wrote: |
There is a motorfactors (feu vert)in Chambery - close to Carrefour supermarket, so you could check first.
Dont tell car rental you are heading to the alps, as winterisation fee maybe mandatory if going to specific areas.
Also, if you buy & dont use them then dont forget to return them for a refund |
Exactly! I'd recommend snowsocks or the elasticized poly ones you can slip on. Don't bother with metal chains as they will drive you crazy trying to install them by the side of the road. Odds are you won't need them as the road to VT is kept as clear as possible for obvious reasons, but still need to carry them. Pro tip: Before you go into the supermarket, write down tire size COMPLETELY, including the inches...ask me how I know this.
I've always found a good selection in hypermarches in the pre-Alps, but if you can find a dedicated tire store so much the better.
Lyon to VT is a longish transfer but still surprised price is so high. Did you look carefully at this site? Apologies if you did.
https://www.lyonaeroports.com/en/access-transports/ski-shuttles/val-thorens |
Hey yeah we looked everywhere. It was because of the dates we are arriving and leaving.
We ended up booking a small car in the end and will just pick up chains/socks on route there. Hopefully they wont be needed!
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