 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi guys and gals,
I am new to the forum and hope you can help, i am going skiing for one month from feb 24th till march 24 in morzine france 2013. The big question is do i need to get snow tires for the duration or can i get away with just getting chains ? its a new 2012 VW Golf front wheel drive.
We dont plan on using it much, just for the road trip down there from the UK and to pop down the shops, maybe a quick visit to a different resort.
Can any one help ?
thanks
Simon
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 7-09-12 13:25; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Firstly, It doesn't matter what the duration is, it just a good or bad luck plus your experience driving on the snow/ice.
Secondly, contrary to wide belief, chains are not substitute for winter tyres. Chains are fitted in your case on front wheels not on all four.
It means you have a serious risk loosing control over your vehicle with rear tyres hardened and their traction decreased. This is especially true on mountain serpentine roads.
Third, chains are not usable on roads where snow is cleared, which means you will be left with summer tyres in possibly serious sub-zero temperatures. Again winter tyres could posssibly save your life in such conditions.
So, as a person coming from a coutry with proper winters, I strongly suggest fitting winter tyres.
Also, whatch some vides on youtube on how to control your car on snow roads, if you haven't got much experience with that.
Oleksii
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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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Both.
You need winter tyres for general safe driving and this may mean you rarely touch your chains.
However, id it snows heavily (fingers crossed) you will find that the gendarmes will be enforcing chain use. Which could lead to a disappointing day.
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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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Don't forget, winter tyres and snow tyres are not the same thing.
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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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If you aren't going to *need* your car each day then just go with the chains. If the roads are snowy, then don't use your car: take the bus or walk instead.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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RobW, +1 and not forgetting it is Morzine in March
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Well, you won't be breaking any laws in France if you don't have winter tyres. The best probably would be to wait till closer to your trip, then research the road conditions in the area you are going to and forecast for the time of your trip. You may or may not need better traction, most likely not as it's the end of February you are talking about, but it's a bit too early to tell.
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For what you describe, chains when appropriate will be fine.
But, if you can stretch to winter tyres, you will notice the difference in cold and wet weather, and any snow we get in UK over winter. Decent winter tyres will get you over snow covered roads which will have 4*4 on summer tyres heading for the ditch
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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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RobW, +2 We managed very easily for a full season with just chains Admitted this was St Gervais which is a) is a main through route to Les Contamines/Megeve so is very conscientiously cleared and b) is at 850m . Not having tyres and the faff of chains probably altered our plans on two, maybe three occasions in 6 months. Clearly if you can run to winter tyres all to the good but I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.
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| RobW wrote: |
| If you aren't going to *need* your car each day then just go with the chains. If the roads are snowy, then don't use your car: take the bus or walk instead. |
+1
Morzine resort is only 1000m. At that time of year you're not likely to need chains very often if at all. Just take some snow socks or Michelin easygrip composite chains - much less hassle to put on than metal chains and very good for occasional use (some people will slag these off as not very durable but they are absolutely fine for what you want).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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RobW, +2 We managed very easily for a full season with just chains Admitted this was St Gervais which is a) is a main through route to Les Contamines/Megeve so is very conscientiously cleared and b) is at 850m . Not having tyres and the faff of chains probably altered our plans on two, maybe three occasions in 6 months. Clearly if you can run to winter tyres all to the good but I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.
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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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At odds with what a few other have said but I'd go winter tyres. Remove a huge amount of potential hassle (and potential danger) and if you have them you'll probably not need to use the chains at all ... although you will still need to have them.
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Will this count as the first winter tyre /snow chain question of the winter
Just need the other regulars to appear
Joking aside I would go with the winter tyres even in March
Mrs Gs will going back on her car end of October
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You know it makes sense.
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Check out the performance of winter (snow) tyres below 7C.
Advisable even in a Scottish summer... 
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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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simonduck, you'll need chains either way. So if funds are really tight, you could certainly manage without snow tyres. They do make life far easier, but with a little practice chains aren't too big a hassle. And if you are just going to go shopping now and again, or to another resort, you can choose your days when the roads are clear - it's not as if you are going to be doing regular transfer driving, or similar, with no choice about getting on the road whatever the conditions.
But you can, indeed, use them all winter, and they are definitely better anywhere once the temperature is low, snowy or not. It would be nice to have the confidence that the car is going to get you there. Otherwise the only sensible thing is to err on the side of caution, and you'll be putting the chains on and off a lot. Knowing when to take them off is often harder than knowing when to put them on.
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Poster: A snowHead
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You don't put chains when there is no fresh snow on the road, but you may still need better traction that winter tyres provide. On roads clean of snow chains will make the car feel as if it has square wheels:)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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never summer, And destroy the road and the chains (and is probably illegal..)
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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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Did a whole season on winter tyres in morz- used chains once in December and once in early Feb
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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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Winter tyres are like insurance: a complete waste of money, until you need them and which point them become invaluable and you bask in your good judgement as you glide past drivers struggling to keep their car on the road.
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cran
cran
Guest
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| under a new name wrote: |
| you will find that the gendarmes will be enforcing chain use. Which could lead to a disappointing day. |
If you have winter tyres they will let you through without putting chains on.
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cran
cran
Guest
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Winter tyres are like insurance: a complete waste of money |
Not really, they work out cheaper once you have them. They are not just for snow, you can use them in a UK winter too. The rubber stays soft in colder conditions and they give better winter grip even when it's not snow/ice on the road.
Since I've been using winter tyres I've saved money as my summer tyres last twice as long and the winter tyres are much cheaper (same diameter, but smaller rims and narrower width).
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cran, selective quoting, does then say
| Quote: |
until you need them and which point them become invaluable and you bask in your good judgement as you glide past drivers struggling to keep their car on the road.
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| cran wrote: |
| rob@rar wrote: |
| Winter tyres are like insurance: a complete waste of money |
Not really, they work out cheaper once you have them. They are not just for snow, you can use them in a UK winter too. The rubber stays soft in colder conditions and they give better winter grip even when it's not snow/ice on the road.
Since I've been using winter tyres I've saved money as my summer tyres last twice as long and the winter tyres are much cheaper (same diameter, but smaller rims and narrower width). |
Gotta read all my thread if we're to agree on things. I fit winter tyres to a car which stays in the UK so need no persuading of their value.
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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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cran, Not in my local part of France they don't...
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| Quote: |
We dont plan on using it much, just for the road trip down there from the UK and to pop down the shops, maybe a quick visit to a different resort.
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On that note, I'd say just chains.
Basically, the OP can simply choose NOT to drive on the days right after a storm.
The economy of winter tires use back at home is a different matter. It depends on which part of UK he lives...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'd get both. I now put winter tyres on the UK and feel it has been worthwhile. If I had to choose I'd get tyres - they are potentially a lifesaver every time you drive. You can manage without chains if you can afford to wait for the road to be cleared. You can get cheap and robust chains in French hypermarkets.
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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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Both ..
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks all, sorry about putting it in three forums sparked a bit of talk lol ! i think im gunna air on the side of caution and get both for the month if ( fingers crossed it is like last year )
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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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simonduck, Have you investigated the price of winter tyres for your Golf? That may affect your decision...
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Poster: A snowHead
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I now use winter tyres in the UK. I have a spare set of wheels and swap them over in November and March.
On the one occasion last year when due to family emergency i simply had to go to Buxton in February, and it started snowing three hours before i could set off for home, I drove from Buxton to Lincoln on snow all the way, in a rear-drive automatic car, without any trouble (although it was of course a slow journey.)
Without the snow tyres i would never have even made it out of Buxton. Would recommend them to anyone.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| RobW wrote: |
| simonduck, Have you investigated the price of winter tyres for your Golf? That may affect your decision... |
They seem to be around 50 - 70 pound a tyre fitted with black circles
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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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simonduck, A lot depends on where you are in Morzine. Not everywhere is on a bus route.
If you are on a bus route, you only need use the motor on fair weather days. Get away with less expense.
If not you will be using it every day and will need more kit.
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FAQ
sparked a bit of talk lol ! i think im gunna air on the side of caution and get both for the month if ( fingers crossed it is like last year )
