 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi. I am driving to Meribel for a week on April 6th. I know that winter tyres are not a requirement after April 1st. I just have standard tyres at the moment and was planning to get some snow socks just in case of any issues. Does this sound like a resonable thing to do or do i need winter tyres? 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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Welcome to Snowheads, @Steve1976. snow tyres are not a "requirement" in the legal sense at any time in France, provided you have chains or snow socks with you. I think going with your normal tyres and snow socks sounds perfectly reasonable, though it can certainly snow in April, even as low as Meribel. In fact, you'll be hoping it does! Practice putting on the socks before hand as with "summer" tyres even a bit of snow can cause loss of traction. I had used chains for years but the first time I tried to put snow socks on a new car, for which I had no chains, I found it quite a fiddle.
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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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That's all I've got as well and we've driven ok to Flaine, Les Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier all at Easter and so far never used them. Fingers crossed it stays that way 
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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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Every time I’ve seen someone use socks it’s a disaster.
Do they actually work?
Always torn socks on the side of the road.
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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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@Casa, they seem to work OK but I also have had issues with getting torn or slipping and getting wrapped around inside of wheel.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've changed mine to Michelin CrossClimate all season tyres. They are snow rated (a little mountain symbol). A bit more money, but lasting really well, so worth it, IMHO
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Having "practiced" with snow socks and found them a faff (but I have very weak hands) I was very glad not to have to use them. It did snow, but not a lot, and my all-season tyres coped fine, though I don't think summer tyres would have. I had snow tyres for many years in the past, but still sometimes had to fit chains on top. Now, if I was doing a trip to the Alps (my present car has all season tyres) I'd buy chains. And practice again.....
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| Steve1976 wrote: |
| Hi. I am driving to Meribel for a week on April 6th. I know that winter tyres are not a requirement after April 1st. I just have standard tyres at the moment and was planning to get some snow socks just in case of any issues. Does this sound like a resonable thing to do or do i need winter tyres? Thanks |
Perfectly reasonable, your chances of snow at resort level are very, very low. Meribel is at 1,450m and the current freezing levels are 2,000m during the day and 1,700m at night so any precipitation in resort will be rain. Freezing levels have been higher than usual all season; the chances of a sudden very cold snap are remote.
France Meteo does 2 week forecasts and Friday April 4th is currently rain in resort, snow up top. If you're on the road at 4am I'd be a little wary of black ice in the shade but if you're driving in daylight you'll be fine.
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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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@Steve1976, hi Steve, I go to St Martin (similar altitude) the week before you every year now and it’s the same — we have all seasons on the car and sling some socks in the boot. Changed my car and just sold the old socks on eBay as I had never used them — but never say never!
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Thanks everybody 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Steve1976,
Just be aware, if it snows & the police decide you need chains you put chains on or go back down the mountain, irrespective of what tyres you are using, or having snowsoçks.
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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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Get some snow chains off amazon, and when you come back send them back (as you probably won't of used them) for full refund.
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| daveqpr wrote: |
| Get some snow chains off amazon, and when you come back send them back (as you probably won't of used them) for full refund. |
Brilliant - taking the "Own nothing; rent everything" idea to it's logical conclusion! Except that, instead of being an additional cost, the rental price is built one's monthly Amazon Prime fee 
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You know it makes sense.
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| Kenzie wrote: |
@Steve1976,
Just be aware, if it snows & the police decide you need chains you put chains on or go back down the mountain, irrespective of what tyres you are using, or having snowsoçks. |
It'll need to be snowing all the way down to Moutiers at 500m altitude before the gendarmes give a toss about that on the road to Meribel. OP's travelling on April 6th, not January 6th. Never gonna happen.
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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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| Oingles wrote: |
| I've changed mine to Michelin CrossClimate all season tyres. They are snow rated (a little mountain symbol). A bit more money, but lasting really well, so worth it, IMHO |
+1, used them for the 3rd year in the Alps this year. Had plenty of occasions when I was very glad I had them on (including in the UK !)
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Poster: A snowHead
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From the forecasts so far it’s going to be pretty warm (unfortunately) so I wouldn’t be worrying at this point
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Socks work a treat on snow (useless on hard packed Ice) used them on a hired BMW 1 Series worked very well especially after a helpful local pointed out we had them on the wrong axle ...
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