 Poster: A snowHead
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Our first time driving to a ski resort, hubby is gadget mad and is really hoping that snow chains will be essential!!anyone got any views as to whether they are needed or not? 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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feefee, They're a legal requirement to carry to get to most resorts.
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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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feefee, take chains. Hubby can practise putting them on before you go. If you're lucky, you won't need to put them on to get in to the resort. I always carry them but find I don't need them very often.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Do a search for "chains" & "tyres". Insurnace companies don't like paying out after a crash if your car doesn't have winter tyres in winter conditions.
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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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feefee, On the way up to our resort this year Police were stopping all cars and making them fit chains or turning them back. When you get them as Alastair, says make sure you practise putting them on there is nothing worse than trying to fit them for the first time in a blizzard.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| DB wrote: |
| Do a search for "chains" & "tyres". Insurnace companies don't like paying out after a crash if your car doesn't have winter tyres in winter conditions. |
There's an 'understatement' 
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Anyone who likes puttins chains on is weird. Dont bother taking gloves etc, you'll end up taking them off to do the job properly.
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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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feefee, Get chains. Gloves....you CAN do most of the job with them on, and a headtorch so you can see to do it in the dark.
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Nadenoodlee, It will be much more a 'zen' experience if he completes the task whilst naked.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Do you need snow chains if you have winter tyres?
Will the police still insist on snow chains?
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as above. You need them or you want be allowed up to the resorts. Try taking marigold gloves (better then nothing) and an old jacket as the job is messy.
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You know it makes sense.
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davidb, that will be yes and yes.
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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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All of this assumes there's snow about of course and depends on the resort if police are going to stop vehicles. Check the forecast first. If hiring a car from a local airport, again check the forecasts and don't pre-book, see if you can blag a set, they charge almost the amount for buying a set - take a risk, it's a risky sport you know....
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Poster: A snowHead
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It's very simple. Yes
I think feefee implies they are driving the whole way.
kkev, Could I ask if you have ever driven skiing? If you have I am surprised at your recommendations.
Do you not think it is possible there may be a change in conditions over the course of their holiday. It's all very well being able to get there but not much fun stuck up a mountain without them.
I am glad to say that I have had to use chains more often than not. Although having bought some snow tyres last year I hope not so often in the future.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks for all the info. now very excited about having to buy snow chains! oh and he already has a headtorch, which now justifies that particular gadget! BUT do we also need winter tyres? or just snow chains? is there anything else we should carry, we only skied once before in Austria and flew there, so any handy hints most appreciated!
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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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Legal requirement yes. Neccesary, in my experience no, a pair of winter tyres and a bit of understanding on how to drive in snow and you can get up and down anything.
As a bulgarian once tapped on my window as said "friend, please..small gas" as I was furiously spinning the car around a 15 degree slope.
It works - steady and slow and you will always be fine.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 7-12-06 22:33; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
a pair of winter tyres and a bit of understanding on how to drive in snow and you can get up and down anything.
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But you probably won't get your moneysworth from a set of winter tyres - without them = more chance of needing chains and = more fun for hubby. French supermarket on the way down will be cheaper than UK, or in resort. Yes, practice putting them on. Also have a small shovel for clearing all the grotty snow from behind and around the wheel, prior to shoving the chains through. And a big strong black poly bag to put the disgusting things in when you take them off - they definitely won't easily go back into the little plastic box they came in. Whether you need them depends not just on the snow but on your resort (some are up much steeper hills than others) and your accommodation; it often happens that you can drive in on cleared roads but needs chains for the last 100 yards. Yes, you do need to drive steady and slow, in as high a gear as possible, as little gas as possible, but it doesn't always work; when you need chains you really do need them, especially if the police are stopping everyone without them. It depends a lot on your car, too. Traction varies. Ford Focus = good: big Volvo estate = awful.
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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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A word of caution on buying in France - the supermarkets (and service areas ) tend to stock 'popular' sizes only! Anything slightly different and you may be panicking by the time you are near the resort  (Speaking from experience here!)
e-bay does have bargains from where people have changed their cars.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks again! have looked on net and found carparts-direct selling them for £79 for our car, nissan navara 4x4, with free delivery! they also sell a european travel pack (legal requirement)? contains triangle, light thingys, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc for £69, is this necessary too?
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| Quote: |
triangle, light thingys, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc for £69, is this necessary too?
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legally you need a triangle, first aid kit, complete set of spare bulbs for your car and light thingys, but £69 is an awful lot of money for what you get, especially as it won't include the spare bulbs. You'd get the lot for less at your local car parts dealer. £79 is steep for an ordinary set of chains, I reckon, but I guess yours is a car with big wheels! You might find some useful specialised advice on here about chains and 4 x 4s - do a search. Is a fire extinguisher legally required? I haven't got one, maybe I should?
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pam w - apparently so, and it it includes the bulbs! they are 3 minute chains, I guess they supposed to be quick!! I also saw other ads for £149 so I thought £79 was cheap!!
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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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| feefee wrote: |
| Thanks again! have looked on net and found carparts-direct selling them for £79 for our car, nissan navara 4x4, with free delivery! they also sell a european travel pack (legal requirement)? contains triangle, light thingys, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc for £69, is this necessary too? |
Try ebay. Often good snowchain deals on there.
For a full legal lowdown on driving by country, you should try theaa.com. They have a good international section.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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feefee, Triangle, bulbs, fuses, 1st Aid kit (must contain at least 2 pair latex gloves) all required by law as is now a yellow/reflective jacket for all passengers carried and in France (at least), if you wear glasses for driving you must carry a spare pair. It's also handy to carry 500€Euro cash in the glove-box if you're at all heavy footed.
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| Quote: |
It's also handy to carry 500€Euro cash in the glove-box if you're at all heavy footed.
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But don't wrap it round a can of Red Bull, which is illegal in France.
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You know it makes sense.
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I'm probably wrong, but I thought that a triangle wasn't needed in France if you have hazard lights. Mind you, we don't know where feefee's going, do we?
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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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I think feefee, is going to Vaujany for xmas. (It was on a previous thread)
pam w Is Red bull banned in a car France?
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Fri 8-12-06 0:34; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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After consulting the AA guide!! We are going to France (vaujany) by the way! it seems that a triangle is recommended not compulsory, first aid kit is optional, reflective jacket n/a! compulsory items are, reg doc, ins, gb sticker, light thingy's, and daytime headlights (with thingy's)!
Now I'm being really thick but will ask, do you get 2 snow chains or 4 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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feefee, 2
I believe with a 4x4 different manufacturers recommend fitting to the front or rear wheels so check in your handbook.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Fri 8-12-06 8:56; edited 1 time in total
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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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feefee, I'd just pack the lot in case of detours, and the optional bits are pretty much a good idea even where they're not compulsory . . . I'd double check the jackets 'cos I got two in a touring pack I was sent by the AA as you're required to wear one if you break down on a motorway and you leave the vehicle, pretty certain this included France.
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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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gsb, yes, apparently so, there was a previous thread on this last year some time. feefee, if you need chains for Vaujany at Christmas we'll all be cheering, not just your hubby! 
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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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You can get chains in Halfords I noticed at the weekend, approx £56 which is still fairly expensive. You can usually pick something up in a valley town supermarket for about £30 for an average sized family saloon wheel size (205/55/16)
Any idea why Red Bull is banned (our car was full of the stuff a couple of winters back  ) Do they class it as some kind of heavy stimulant or something?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Certainly our Nissan X-trail suggests fitting to the front wheels, or to all 4, but not to the rear alone. It's a front wheel drive, and you fit to the driving wheels. If you have Bridgestone Duellers on the Navara (not sure), you won't need a new set of winter tyres,not worth it for a single trip, and the tyres are good in the snow, but do buy the chains. In our experience 4x4s were waved through by the gendarmes, but if you don't have them, and they ask you to put them on, you won't be allowed to travel on. We got our chains from the roofbox company. They do an exchange service too, for when you change your car.
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Boredsurfin.....yep agree with ebay route and thanks for the summary on redbull!
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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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We drove to Tignes in Dec last year and snow chains were both compulsory and necessary. We're driving to Val Thorens this year and intend to visit other resorts so have now had Winter Tyres fitted as well.
I agree with a previous comment that the insurance company may not pay out if you have an accident and do not have the appropriate tyres/chains. I also read that in Switzerland you could be sued if you caused an accident due to not having winter tyres - whether that's true or not I'm not sure as winter tyres are not compulsory by law, but all hire cars are fitted with winter tyres (in Switzerland).
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FAQ
am now going to look into the snow chain info, and am going to fill a box with ALL the necessary/compulsory just in case! This site is great I have found out so much info, thanks everyone! 
