Car hire to Aosta valley in April

A snowHead

Just researching a trip for next Easter hols (2 adults and 2 10 year olds). Aosta Valley ticks a lot of boxes for us, Champoluc/ Gressony in particular.

The main fly in the ointment is transfers. We are likely to fly into Turin or Milan Malpensa (probably the latter) and private/ group transfers look expensive/ few and far between. Public transport also seems convoluted. I’m happy to be corrected and advised on any of the above.

Anyway, I am left with car hire, which isn’t my favourite mode of transfer but I have done it before in this area in the summer and the route seemed pretty simple fwir. The dilemma I am faced with is the dreaded question about winter tyres/ snow chains.

From what I’ve read either of those options are mandatory when driving in Piedmont until mid April, but car hire companies charge €100s for snow tyres and I really don’t fancy having to attach snow chains. From other threads on here it seems that many out there have never had to use chains and they are a back up rather than something to be expected to use.

Has anyone got experience of regular trips to the Monte Rosa area in April with advice of how often the roads get covered? In Austria this year at a similar time the only snow anywhere was fairly high up the slopes and that was after a week of fairly solid precipitation.

Apologies if this has come across as a ‘what will the weather be like…’ post, but it has almost got to deal breaker stage for going to this area and I’m keen to be able act once/ if EasyJet release their spring flights.

Many thanks in advance.

A snowHead

Fitting chains, should they be necessary, really is not rocket science. Watch a few youtube videos (of how to fit the most basic cheap ones, which is what you'll get), use your commonsense and in the unlikely event there will be other people who will help if you ask nicely! If you are absolutely opposed to the idea you could go to Pila and use the gondola.

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Have you considered driving over in your own car? That way you can take uncertainty out of what the car will be equipped with Have driven to Aosta a few times and is really straightforward.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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Haven’t done the drive in April, but a couple of times at Xmas. I would say never say never but think its very unlikely to get snow on the road at least to Aosta. But if you’re worried and don’t like putting on chains then spring for the extra 100 for winters, a small cost in the scheme of things for greater peace of mind.

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

Thanks for the responses. Yes the obvious answer is to get on board with putting chains on. I would check this out whatever, but I am pretty useless at this type of thing.
The long drive down wouldn’t work with my kids (they can barely manage two and a half hours to Devon in the Summer).
@ster, thanks for your input, I assumed that the main motorways would be good whatever but I’m guessing it’s the valley roads which could be affected. If it was only €100 or so extra for winter tyres I would go for it but from what I’ve seen it’s more likely €300 which starts to blow our budget.

After all it is free

@t44tomo, thank you for this. It was what I was hoping someone would could back with and very useful tip on car hire prices.
Whilst I wasn’t going to commit to booking the car just yet, I may need to make a call on my destination soon and the transfer options are key to this. Thanks again

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Very unlikely to need chains, particularly at that time of year. All rentals will come with chains or more likely socks. Socks are really easy to put on. I would book a car with free cancellation and then just check the forecast a few days in advance. The resorts clear roads regularly as they need them open to make money. Worst case scenario you could aways abandon the car lower down and pay a taxi to bring you up to the hotel, then get a bus down to collect it later in the trip. But very unlikely to need it.

I've done maybe 10 plus trips to Aosta, at least half of them booked last minute to co-incide with heavy fresh snow. Only needed chains once, that was last year out of Cervinia at Easter, when there was literally record breaking snow which closed the resort for two days. Even then I was able to buy a pair in the local hardware and pay a chap to fit them for me. They broke as it happens but was still grand. I had to get out that morning for a flight, otherwise would have been fine to leave later in the day without them once the road was cleared.

From recollection for Champoluc there is a windy road up from the main valley but then it plateaus at the first ski resort you hit and I drove that road, after the biggest dump in 5 years, without needing to put chains on.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@8611, thank you for this. It is very reassuring. Especially the bit about the moderate drive up to the resort. And if you have been able to drive up there after good snow falls that sounds promising.

I like the story about your chain adventure last year. That sounds like something that would happen to me!

Anyway, I will follow your advice and book a car with long cancellation and then assess conditions and prices nearer the time.

Help!!

Car hire to Aosta valley in April

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