 Poster: A snowHead
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We are driving from GVA to Meribel on 11 March. As its a Saturday afternoon I am expecting a fair bit of traffic. I've been watching the weather forecast with some anxiety wondering how much worse it might make things.
I was wondering what contingency plans I could think about in case traffic is unbearable or just impassable. Would you detour and get a hotel in chambery and just head up on Sunday am? Or would I be likely to get as far as albertville before traffic really starts to build up?
Does anyone have any resources like traffic cams to look ahead and see what traffic is like?
Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I wouldn't fret, @monkey. If the journey is more difficult because of heavy snow, rejoice! It's not a peak week. Just drive as normal but be prepared for the unexpected. And most definitely prepared to put snow chains on! Have some water and chocolate or basic provisions in the car - you'll have warm clothing, obvs. You say "Saturday afternoon" - what time would you expect to leave Gva?
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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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I think we will be leaving GVA around 1600. In the normal course of events I'd be hoping to be in Meribel by 1830 or thereabouts. I've done that drive many times in the past and have never had snow trouble but will certainly have chains.
The forecast is putting the snow line up near the resort now so fingers crossed it'll just be a rainy but uneventful drive. I usually wouldn't get too bothered but the kids are coming this year and I'm being a bit overprotective perhaps.
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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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You might find some substantial delays picking up a rental car - I've found that at Geneva recently. But even if you get away from the airport by 1600 a lot of the traffic will already have gone up to the resort and, as noted already, it's not a peak weekend. Just make sure your chains are the right size for the tyres - this can't be taken for granted! Hope it all goes well and that you get lucky with the snow, even if your arrival into Meribel is delayed.
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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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| monkey wrote: |
I was wondering what contingency plans I could think about in case traffic is unbearable or just impassable. Would you detour and get a hotel in chambery and just head up on Sunday am? Or would I be likely to get as far as albertville before traffic really starts to build up?
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As @pam_w says - I wouldn't worry at all. It's not Feb half term, so I can't imagine a scenario that will mean you will hitting traffic around Albertville. The freezing level looks like it'll be around 1700m so you'll probably only hit snow in the last few hundred metres as you hit the resort.
And I would be hoping that happens, as there's a fair possibility that you could get into resort and it be chucking down with rain, which would be far worse!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
I can't imagine a scenario that will mean you will hitting traffic around Albertville. |
I can - strike/demos planned for Saturday again (pension reforms), on Tuesday the N90 (dual carriageway through Albertville) was basically blocked from 12 to 6pm, as were all the back roads etc. They also did this for a shorter period a couple of Saturdays back, though the CRS cleared them off the N90 after a couple of hours…
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| offpisteskiing wrote: |
| Quote: |
I can't imagine a scenario that will mean you will hitting traffic around Albertville. |
I can - strike/demos planned for Saturday again (pension reforms), on Tuesday the N90 (dual carriageway through Albertville) was basically blocked from 12 to 6pm, as were all the back roads etc. They also did this for a shorter period a couple of Saturdays back, though the CRS cleared them off the N90 after a couple of hours… |
Fair call! I'll rephrase... I can't imagine a weather related scenario that will mean you hitting traffic around Albertville.
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@offpisteskiing, will the strikers be away in the cafés by 1800/1900? Hopefully. Many thanks all for the feedback. Sounds like I'm worrying unnecessarily.
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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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I think I've been looking at the weather forecasts too much over the past few days, as every time I see 1600 or 1800/1900 written, my mind immediately thinks about freezing levels.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Sounds like I'm worrying unnecessarily.
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I think some level of concern, especially travelling with kids, is perfectly understandable. But the situation is such that there's little you can sensible do to mitigate the risks of disruption.
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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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Be aware that there are also possibly fuel shortages by Saturday, if the fuel depots continue to be hit by strike action
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So apart from the long wait for a rental car, snow, strikes, fuel shortages and snow chains that may not fit, there’s nothing to fret about.
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You know it makes sense.
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The car will have enough fuel to get to Meribel!! I've driven all over the world and hired lots of cars. In my own car I'm a relaxed driver but I still ALWAYS find renting cars stressful and am mighty relieved when I get where I'm going and get the car back to the airport in one piece. Car rental locations seem to specialise in tight corners and high unforgiving kerbs ready to smack the wholly unnecessary "alloys". When you have tired and excited kids bouncing around and have to fit lots of luggage into a small space, it's even more difficult.
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