Snow chains, textile snow chains, snow socks,

A snowHead

Hi SH’s. I’ll be driving into Tignes this week and looks like we’ll have some fresh stuff.

Can anybody pass on some information about what is the best form of tyre traction equipment that’s currently available ?

Thanks in advance

A snowHead

Winter tyres and snowchains

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Definitely take chains, even if you've winter tyres. Check what your car tyre size can accept - some can only take front mounting chains which are expensive. Bit late for ebay now.....

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Winter tyres and snow chains is the ideal.

If you have regular summer tyres and can’t justify the cost of switching to the above, then quality snow socks. I’d recommend the K&K Pro:

Back in February, we used K&K Pro snow socks to great effect, departing from our Swiss ski resort. See: https://www.snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5515128&highlight=socks#5515128 for details.

I used to be very critical of snow socks compared to chains, but I think the latest generation of products like the K&K Pro are a significant advance on the previous ones such as the Michelin EasyGrip. And they’re so much easier to put on and remove.

Basically, regard quality snow socks as a way of turning your summer tyres into winter tyres, and possibly a better winter tyre than some cheap winters. But this still won’t address the problem of ascending an icy road, for which chains are the only option. In warmer Easter conditions, this can be more of a problem than you might expect, because of freeze/thaw: when the warm daytime sun melts snow into water, which then freezes overnight. The overall conditions may be sunny and benign but pose a problem if leaving your accommodation means negotiating an icy road.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

AIUI, textiles (socks or EasyGrip elastic chains) self destruct quickly on asphalt. So they work well in fresh snow but can be slow (on off on) or expensive (throw away) when snow coverage is patchy on a journey.

Also of debatable value on compressed snow turning to ice.

Finally, check your vehicle compatibility with chains. They don’t like low profile tyres or wheels which fill the arches (to look cool)

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As you might expect, the much more expensive K&K 'Pro' socks are far more robust than the previous generation of socks, and a better design than the 'semi-chains' represented by the Michelin EasiGrip. We were able to run on tarmac for a reasonable distance (a few Kms) before being able to pull over somewhere safe to remove them, with no noticeable wear. So they should do a lot better if you're on mixed, alternative tarmac and snow. But that's why they cost more.

The problem with summer tyres + chains is in alternating snow/tarmac. You can't keep taking them off and putting them on every few kms if those are the conditions. So it's a probability estimate: summers+chains have an issue if it's alternating conditions, summers+socks have an issue if you encounter ice. Which is the more likely situation? It's hard to know.

You could of course have summers+socks+chains. Which is the equivalent of winters+chains. But then you start to get to a cost point where you might as well go for the latter anyway.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

I bought some Michelen Easy Grip Evolution "chains" to go with the winter tyres on my front wheel drive focus. They are similar to chains but are a really robust netting and are very easy to put on. Found them really useful a few weeks ago on fresh snow and also getting down an uncleared road to a chalet.

Yes I bought some for my Tesla as I don’t take it to the snow much so “just in case”. Been to Pyrenees maybe 7x now, never needed anything. Also I now look for accommodation very close to a main road where there is a high chance it will be ploughed quickly.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

The KnK look interesting, thanks for info. Next time!

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@Hurdy, good to know. I snagged a brand new pair from Vinted for a tenner, they seem very sturdy but I can see how they may not stand up to the abuse a traditional snow chain may suffer. Still, hoping that the most I'll have to use them is to negotiate a snowy car park in La Plagne

snow reports

It’s getting pretty late in the season, so you should be able to pick up some chains on sale as you go through Albertville. As far as I understand it there is only one brand of Snow socks that are actually certified as an equivalent to chains and even these will self-destruct on Tarmac as someone says above. There is a whole separate thread about this with lots of examples of gendarmes stopping people with snow socks proceeding up the mountain.

Whatever you decide to get, I strongly recommend you do a practice fit in the dry to ensure you know how to fit them before you might need them in anger as fitting them in 6 inches of snow on the side of the road is a very different proposition. Marigolds are also worth carrying to keep your hands dry, warmer and clean. I have a large rubber gardening matt which is just sled behind the driver seat to kneel on and some over trousers. All based on the experience of getting filthy fitting chains in deep snow many years ago and having to get back into the car and drive.

Finally, a large sturdy bin bag to put them in when removed as there is no way you will be able to fold them up neatly and get them back into their container at the side of the road when you take them off.

Morning all,

Will be heading up approx 11am from Bourg St Maurice into Les Arc 1950. I will have snow socks in the car just in case (and normal regular tires) but am I correct in thinking the road should be fine for the short 30 minute drive and previously cleared for all the buses/holiday makers later in the day?

You know it makes sense.

@LesArcLover, the roads are generally cleared and they are very efficient at doing this, so unlikely you will have any issues.

It does of course depend on the severity of any snowfall, heavy and prolonged snow may mean police are enforcing chains at the start of the climb. As reported on other threads in some cases they have not allowed people with socks to proceed, even when said socks are certified etc.

That said, I would be surprised if you have any issues at all

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Thank you Boris, forecast suggests this won't be an issue so will go with the 'gamble' and see where we are at! Ta

A snowHead

As I sadly mark the end of my skiing season and look forward to whatever it is that happens when there isn't any snow, I note that both my winter and summer tyres are marked M&S. Only one has the 3 snowflakes marking on it though; can you spot which one?

A snowHead

the bald one?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I’d like to say the left one is marked, based purely on the sipes. I’m feeling like it must be a trick question though Laughing

What brand/model are both?

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Left looks winter, right summer.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

left looks new, right looks good for helping to keep a boat off a scratchy harbour wall

Help!!

Snow chains, textile snow chains, snow socks,

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