 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi ,
Was debating a trip to one of the French ski resorts early April & was planning to drive; thought I would be okay just getting some snow chains BUT on reviewing a French web 'resort site' yesterday it stated that snow chains & winter tyres were mandatory in the region. The car is not fitted with 'winter tyres'.
Can anyone advise what the regulations actually are ( though I just need chains .........have no objection to fitting winter tyres but suspect in April I probably wont even need/use the chains )
Thanks in advance
Mitch
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You don't have to have snow tyres, definitely. But when it's snowy "special equipment" will be "obligatoire" and the police might stop vehicles without chains. They might (but don't have to) allow 4 x 4s and those with proper snow tyres to continue without. The cheapest place to buy them is a big supermarket as you approach the Alps. Plenty of info (and arguments!) on chains and snow tyres on Snowheads! Don't kid yourself you won't need chains in April, it's just as likely as any time. The snow tends not to stick around very long, but it can dump in April - and let's hope it does. I had to put snowchains on top of four snow tyres last April, with just a couple of inches of slush on a not very steep hill. By the time I got back from the shops it had all melted.
Where are you thinking of going? Quite often you can find you need chains just for the last few hundred yards to your accommodation, which is very irritating. If it looks like it might be snowy as you get to the resort, practise putting them on in the supermarket car park.
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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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pam,
was really waiting to see how the snow develops before making a final decision, hoping to book as late as poss so get it discounted; originally fancied la Tania but have 2 kids in tow ( novice skiers ) so was 'searching, for a snow sure area with good/easy access to the greens . Have thought about Val Thorens; la Rosiere & Valliore as well as a couple of others that skip my mind at this moment. Funds are also a bit limited so am also looking for the best value area as well ( not asking much am I !!!)
Mitch
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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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Mitchell, Welcome to 
pam w, has given you the facts. I wouldn't bother with winter tyres just for one trip . They are designed to operate best with temps below c.8 degrees C. Marvellous if you live where you get several months of cold weather , but wouldn't 'invest' just for one April trip. Stick with chains which you can keep (and should have anyway if you make several alpine trips ).
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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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Welcome to s Mitchell.
We've got snow tyres on our car and have needed the chains only twice this season. But on both those occassions we wouldn't have got anywhere without them. We've also been stopped a few times by the police checking that cars have equipment.
I strongly second pam w's advice to practice - it's invariably dark, cold and chucking it down when you're putting on chains. We now carry a lantern and disposible gloves in the car.
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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: |
was really waiting to see how the snow develops before making a final decision, hoping to book as late as poss so get it discounted
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Yes, I'd be doing exactly the same thing. Snow could go either way - it might be great in lots of resorts, or confined to the higher altitudes which are doing v well for snow this week when rain is falling lower down. However, if you're driving and doing a DIY package you'll not save very much by waiting on booking accommodation only.
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Mitchell, I drove round a fair proportion of Europe last April (well, I skied Austria, Italy, Swiss and France!!) on normal UK cheapo summer tyres. I thought at one point in Val T that I may need chains, but by the time I came to drive home the roads were clear.
I'd have thought in April that you should be okay.
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Thanks for all your help
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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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Provided you aren't driving at high alititudes on steep roads it's highly unlikely you will need chains & winter tyres.
If you think you might be doing this again I'd consider at least putting M&S tyres on the car when the current ones have worn out.
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DB,
Excuse my ignorance, m&S ; I 'guess' it means mud & snow as opposed to marks & sp............r's!!
mitch
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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