 Poster: A snowHead
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I am taking my Volvo Diesel estate to Val Thorens in March, but what do I need to do to make sure it gets up there?
I know I need additives for the Diesel, but where do I get this from?
Also, do I need snow chains, or winter tyres, or are ordinary tyres OK? Everytime I have been up to a resort the roads have been cleared.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
K
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Timbobaggins, Dead serious - they took away the snow train!! 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Timbobaggins, Thats brilliant, thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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GeorgeVII, Vehicle is still under warranty, does it make a difference? Also, can you get continental breakdown and recovery insurance for a limited period, say 10 days?
pam w, Have the satnav already. Am planning on spending Friday night in Albertville, so will use Via Michelin to get a route map from there to VT as well.
Sorry for asking a stupid question, but chains only go on the drive wheels, yes?
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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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kosciosco, Yep, chains on the drive wheels
Albertville to VT is straightforward - head to Moutiers, as you get there, the road splits into three lanes: Left takes you to the Haute Tarentaise resorts, Middle to Meribel and Courch, right to the Belleville Valley (and Val Thorens). So take the right, and keep going until you can't go any further (about 34 kms)
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To add to Timbobaggins point
1) A point of contact back in the uk that will be around and can look things up quickly on the net for yer - i.e. so if a ferry goes titsup they can look it up and help ya re-route to the train or similar.
2) Phone numbers of where you're going and any pre-booked places to stay. So that when you get lost driving up to resort in the dark you can phone for help. A streetmap of the resort you're going too (see their website) - so this is less likely.
3) Practise putting the chains on before you go. Last Thr would have been a good day for practising.
4) Soft brush / snow scraper / shovel if you have to park outside
5) When you take the car in for the service, get em to check fluid levels etc - tell them you're going to the alps.
6) Audio books on tape/cd/mp3 player (as per car permits) for the journey down - note: Alex Rider good, Kay Scarpetta bad.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| pam w wrote: |
| I don't think nationwide credit cards do the "free purchases overseas" any more. |
nationwide are still free in Europe, not Rest of World IIRC
| pam w wrote: |
| But any credit card will do at the péage. |
- have played 'card swap' at a french peage before - had to get onto my 3rd card before I found one that it liked. Nothing very unusual I was trying - cc from a high street bank
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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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jtr, The post office credit card is the same...which I have
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You know it makes sense.
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kosciosco, yes, you can get short term continental cover from the AA (whether or not you are a member, I think). Lots of things that can go wrong with cars are not covered under warranty and even if they are - might take some time, and might not get you home if, for example, your have a breakdown on the journey home. Waiting until you can get to a Volvo dealer, then waiting whilst they fix the car, could cost you quite a bit of money.
Have you got a proper spare tyre not a stupid can of goo, or a "space saver" tyre on which you can only go a short distance, rather slowly? If not, a simple puncture could cost you plenty of time and money.
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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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pam w, Thanks, I shall look into the insurance.
Volvo V50 comes with a full size spare tyre. I hate space saver tyres too!
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Poster: A snowHead
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kosciosco, I'm glad to hear some manufacturers still do the right thing. Our fiat came with a tyre absurdly labelled a "space saver". Absurd because the space it was in (under the boot) was perfectly big enough for a full size wheel, and absolutely no use for anything else. We ditched it immediately, and bought a cheap proper spare.
Check your ordinary car insurance too - I think some still require that you to tell them when you are going abroad.
Have a great trip. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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One must garage ones car in VT. The charges are about 65 per week but parking is inside big multi-storey buildings.
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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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A shovel, Timbobaggins and pam w forgot to say shovel. Very important in the French Alps. Otherwise what else can you use to transport sufficient beer money in the evenings?
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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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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| One must garage ones car in VT. The charges are about 65 per week but parking is inside big multi-storey buildings. |
There is no tourist street parking allowed in VT, you will get tagged and towed. I would recomend that you book the indoor car parking in VT well before hand, as it can be fully booked at key times. valthoparc.com is the web site there will be links to it on the valthorens web site. It should prompt you to a car park near your accomodation. Allow about 10e per day based on last years prices.
I've been to VT a few times and it regularly has snow covered roads on the 20km run up the valley and nearly always snow on roads in the resort. I must admit though, the winter tyres i have meant I have only had resort the chains once in 5 years, but I really did need them ! If the weather is bad the police may not permit you to proceed without them. So chains should be on you shopping list and, dont rely on being able to buy them 'if required' near resort.
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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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Practice putting chains on on your drive one Sat/Sun afternoon with plenty of time.
You do not want your first run to be in the dark, in the snow, in freezing temps with the family all moaning at you for being a muppet
Not that I know anyone who that has happened to
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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kosciosco, for Europe Breakdown Insurance try http://www.greeninsurancecompany.co.uk I found these by far the cheapest for both UK and Europe cover, much cheaper than AA or RAC however the level of service is not quite as high
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kosciocso,
all great points, european insurance can be got by the week, european breakdown cover again just phone ur company.
Yes practice the chains going on and off. Get hold of an old rug or a sack so 1 you can knee on it while putting chains on and 2 keeps the chains off ground getting snowy and freezing up. Good pair of working gloves too for this as when u need to put the chains on it can be terribly cold. Head lamp essential for this if its night.
make sure you've got a shovel, got to ski shop get one there as they pack down well and are great for snow.
make sure u've got a tow rope too, headlight deflectors, luminous jacket is a must, GB sticker, spare bulbs.
Pack in the right order!, make sure ur chains and kit is somewhere accessible not right behind all the rest of the luggage.
No need for winter tires, but as stated above check the treads. When getting chains go to halfords or somewhere and either say, here's my car can i have chains. or take down ur tire measurements (the numbers of the rubber bit, with height, width and profile size) and see if you can find something cheaper online loads of deals.
Can be worth getting extra mirror enhancer for your off side mirror as when packed up u may not have ur rear view mirror, so a longer site offside mirror can be really helpful.
Have fun sounds like ur going to have a great time.
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kosciocso,
all great points, european insurance can be got by the week, european breakdown cover again just phone ur company.
Yes practice the chains going on and off. Get hold of an old rug or a sack so 1 you can knee on it while putting chains on and 2 keeps the chains off ground getting snowy and freezing up. Good pair of working gloves too for this as when u need to put the chains on it can be terribly cold. Head lamp essential for this if its night.
make sure you've got a shovel, got to ski shop get one there as they pack down well and are great for snow.
make sure u've got a tow rope too, headlight deflectors, luminous jacket is a must, GB sticker, spare bulbs.
Pack in the right order!, make sure ur chains and kit is somewhere accessible not right behind all the rest of the luggage.
No need for winter tires, but as stated above check the treads. When getting chains go to halfords or somewhere and either say, here's my car can i have chains. or take down ur tire measurements (the numbers of the rubber bit, with height, width and profile size) and see if you can find something cheaper online loads of deals.
Can be worth getting extra mirror enhancer for your off side mirror as when packed up u may not have ur rear view mirror, so a longer site offside mirror can be really helpful.
Have fun sounds like ur going to have a great time.
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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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Full strength windscreenwash good down to -40c, (usually available in Lidl's) is an essential mainly to shift the muck that they spray on the motorways to keep them frost free.
You also need to take your V5C (log book) and certificate of insurance. (If a company car you need a photocopy of the V5C AND a letter of authority to take the vehicle abroad.)
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FAQ
If all else fails just follow a French snow plough, one is bound to head towards VT eventually.
