 Poster: A snowHead
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23-30 March - flights booked to Turin.
I'm going to leave it late as the flights are refundable Avios jobbies, but i wanted to understand what the current conditions are like. Clearly a LOT can change in the next month or so! I think mainly i like looking at the options more than the holiday lol. But i wondered if it was worth ruling some places out already?!
We were looking at Cervinia, but reading the thread, it looks like it's had a tough start. I've been to Courmayeur and La Thuile three times, so not keen to return. Sestriere etc - how's that area holding up? I've looked at teh Champouloc and Gressoney area, but concerned it looks a little small?
Penny for thoughts. Also, bonus for car hire help - looks like i can get hire with snow chains but not snow tyres, unless i pay Hertz a fortune.
I have 7 and 8 yos in tow...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Serre Chevalier is worth a look. Briancon is the nearest, and main town. A charming and old fortified town. Otherwise, a bit further along the valley is Chantemerle which is also quite charming. I don’t think, from what I’ve read, that they’ve had the best conditions thus far but much could change.
There are a lot of options for all levels of skiers. It’s about an hour and three quarters by car to Briancon and only another 15 mins to Chantemerle.
I’d definitely recommend Les Marmottes in Chantemerle, as a place to stay.
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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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Serre Che is indeed worth a look.
Don't know how the Maurienne valley is looking but I've been there at Easter before and had good snow.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thank you both. I did wonder about crossing the border.
Although what’s the road like and do car hire allow cross border still? My old man had some issues recently on that although perhaps they lied to him!
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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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It was a few years ago, but I had zero issues hiring a car at Turin airport and driving into France. The road is decent and, as I recall, only a very slight snowy issue around Montgenevre. I don’t recall whether or not the car had winter tyres and I didn’t hire chains….which in hindsight may have been a dubious decision….that said, I didn’t need them.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There never used to be a problem with cross border rental from Turin, but it's a few years since I've done it.
When I looked at the possibility from Milan last year there wasn't a problem.
The road is excellent.If going to Maurienne it is autostrada all the way to the Frejus tunnel and pretty straightforward roads thereafter.
If going to Serre Che you need to go over the Col de Montgenevre after leaving the autostrada but the road is pretty good.
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Cervinia will be the best option all things considered. It normally does not get a huge amount of snow but snowmaking and altitude makes it a reliable bet the later you go. Bormio also a good option if you don’t mind a smaller area. Monterosa if conditions are good.
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Italian rules demand winter tyres or chains on those routes (even the autostrade) so really the hire companies shouldn't be giving people cars with neither.
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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 drove from Turin to Montgenevre last week. The road is fine, unless you need to drive in the middle of night in snow storm. Make sure you notify car rental about border crossing in advance. Some of them charge a fee, some of them won't allow it.
You should also consider Montgenevre. Village is at 1860m, so quite high. Not much vertical and old lifts, but skiing area is pretty, and with 6 days ski pass you get option to ski Serre Chevalier, Via Lattea, Alp D'uez, Les 2 Alps and Puy Saint Vincent. I went to Puy Saint Vincent and thought skiing was better than in Montgenevre.
Cervinia would be safest option snow wise, but I was there in late March last year and skiing was very limited due to wind/snow/fog.
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Pretty sure all the cars hired from Turin come with winter tyres and snow chains. I always choose one of the In Terminal suppliers. Have only noticed one of them saying in the small print about charging extra for crossing into France (can remember which one though - sorry). Normally book through vipcars.com for best price!
Frejus tunnel is an extra cost to factor in if you go to Maurianne Valley (about €68 for a 7 day return now!) and I think some of the roads on the French side are still closed because of the landslide last year.
Montgenèvre seems to get the best of the snow in the Via Lattea, but stay in Italy for the food!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Italian rules demand winter tyres or chains on those routes (even the autostrade) so really the hire companies shouldn't be giving people cars with neither. |
You should get one or the other from the airport locations in N Italy, but most companies will only provide chains and a few do charge extra, so check they are included in the price.
I've been given a car with winter tyres without paying extra, but normally it is a cost option where they are available, not all companies offer the option.
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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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Standard Milan and Turin car hire is pack of chains in the boot (provided you've ticked the "winterisation" box) but not winter tyres unless your going for a premium car.
However unlikely to be an issue, i.e. you almost certainly aren't going to have to fit the chains, as driving to most resorts is valley floor autostrada for most of the way, particularly late March, and if you do, then you do, watch a your tube video or two if weather looks dodgy, so at least you have half an idea what your doing.
its 7 weeks away so far to early to fret about snow conditions, but higher the better in late season anyway. I'd happily ski Monterosa for a week "Champouloc and Gressoney area" its not "small". Via Lattea is clearly bigger, despite them never opening anything like all the pistes. The Italian's are pretty good at making and preserving snow.
Cervinia is big if you may the premium for International links to Zermatt.
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We initially looked at Via Lattea too due to distance to Turin. However after reading some comments about piste/lift closures and checking stats on onthesnow website we switched to 3 valleys (around 1hour extra drive). Hiring car with Alamo at Turin airport, it allows crossing the border free of charge. Cost wise it worked out more less the same.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for all the comments. Spoke to a friend at the weekend he was quite bullish about getting winter tyres on hire cars in Turin Airport and he has gone to Serre Chev a couple of times with no issues...
I'll keep an eye on the weather.
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