 Poster: A snowHead
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Each set is two snow chains (so the question is do we need two snow chains or four)
We're driving to tignes in easter, so not expecting the weather conditions to be that bad.
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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you need just two chains (ie one set) to be put on the driving wheels.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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BobbieShamrock, Do have a practise in the warmth of your garage - because in the dark when its snowing the instructions will seem like hieroglyphics (sp?). Also a thick plastic bag to kneel on and put wet chains into (they never go back in the box) - this years' is from Lakeland - very sturdy. Also a head torch is very handy - I also have some of the stronger marigolds - enough feel and keeps sleeves and hands dry - ski gloves generally too bulky.
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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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| Quote: |
ski gloves generally too bulky.
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I find Marigolds too fiddly too. I do it in bare hands, fast. Some hand wipes are a good idea.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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pam w, baby wipes are really good at getting grease and oil off . . . what they think baby poo contains bears no thinking . . .
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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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| pam w wrote: |
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ski gloves generally too bulky.
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I find Marigolds too fiddly too. I do it in bare hands, fast. Some hand wipes are a good idea. |
Blue Nitrile gloves for me.
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Spyderman, are they surgeon style gloves? I tried some really thin ones but they do nothing to keep you warm and I still tended to get them clipped into the linky things. I find bare hands faster, not that I've done it this year, other than my annual trial run in Hampshire before driving out. I rarely have to use them in anger.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Spyderman, palm and finger Nitrile dipped knitted fleece . . . warm windproof and sensitive.
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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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Best advice is buy GOOD chains. Don't buy cheap ones. They are useless and given any challenge will snap...been there, done that, more than once, and it aint pretty. Buy Thule or equivalent and yes they are expensive but worth every penny. And yes, you only need them on the driving wheels.
I'd echo the advice to have a trial. The better chains are also significantly easier to put on and will self tighten. You need to have a headtorch and either wear waterproof trousers or take a bin bag. Any thin pair of gloves will do but if you are quick you can do them without. I'm a woman and can put a chain on in less than 2 minutes so it can't be that hard 
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suzysparkle, Just one of the 7 bags of chains I carried probably weighed more than you . . . 2 bloody minutes, I could have done with you there 
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You know it makes sense.
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Is that the sort of chains you see on ice road truckers?? They look amazing but time consuming. Ours are on a Mercedes Sprinter van and the chains are on in a minute. You just shove them round the back, pull them up, clip them together at the top and pull on the bungee. So easy I am a big fan!!
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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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suzysparkle, yup, Didn't do the ice road, it was bad enough where I was already.
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Poster: A snowHead
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suzysparkle has it right. Good chains are worth the money. I can do it in 2 minutes too. Fortunately I don't drive a truck (though people do say rude things about my Fiat Multipla).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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BobbieShamrock, You don't say whether your car is FWD or RWD.
Most of the comments I've seen here relate to people without chains/snow tyres getting stuck going uphill when they lose grip. That is a risk, but I think coming downhill without chains there is a greater risk - of sliding off the road into a ditch (or worse).
While chasing chamois in Carinthia in December, we went up a forestry track with about 3" of snow on it. By the time we came back down it was well over 6" deep. The local hunter got one set of chains out and put them on the rear wheels only - his comment was that he wanted to be sure he had control over the back end - he could look after the front. Looking at the sheer drops off the side of the track I could see his point ! He said he would only bother with chains on the front if it were icy too.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
ski gloves generally too bulky.
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I find Marigolds too fiddly too. I do it in bare hands, fast. Some hand wipes are a good idea. |
+1 for this method
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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 don't like putting chains on buy snow tyres and keep your fingers crossed 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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When four wheel drive is engaged, should the snow chains be fitted to the front or rear wheels?
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Richard E, most 4wd systems bar the real heavy duty proper off-roaders will still have drive at 60:40 front:rear when engaged, maybe boosting/adjusting between the two as traction is lost. Given that, go with the front.
To the OP, 1 set will do but 2 WILL be better, rear wheels may not be driving but once moving can still slip, a common problem would be to get into a spin if the rear wheels break free. Chains all round will stop that.
Someone mentioned tyres versus chains - I agree, proper tyres and proper driving will get you through all but the worst
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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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barry, cheers 
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Richard E, As I mentioned earlier, probably better on rear !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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deerman, I just have one set of chains so now have conflicting advice. 
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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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read your cars manual, most will tell you which wheels to put the chains on!
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For anyone looking for chains: Lidl will have them in from Thursday at £20..ideal to have just in case
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You know it makes sense.
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| Richard E wrote: |
| When four wheel drive is engaged, should the snow chains be fitted to the front or rear wheels? |
When you say 'engaged' is it a switchable system from 2 to 4wd using a haldex clutch? If so, the chains go on whichever the driving wheels are when in 2wd mode, usually the front.
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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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| barry wrote: |
Richard E,
Someone mentioned tyres versus chains - I agree, proper tyres and proper driving will get you through all but the worst |
Just came back from Levi, and hardly anybody in Finland uses chains these days, nearly all good snow tyres, and they have no drama, 2, 4 or perm AWD.
Good snow tyres, and proper driving technique
Go figure
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ratae Corietuvorum, welcome to Snowheads  Possibly finland is just a tad flatter than the Alps?
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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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saw an excellent article written by an ex member of a Dutch Mountain Rescue team regarding mountain & winter driving. Cant find the link, if anyone finds it please repost
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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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| barry wrote: |
| saw an excellent article written by an ex member of a Dutch Mountain Rescue team regarding mountain & winter driving. Cant find the link, if anyone finds it please repost |
Beannacht Dia a Barry.....Dutch mountain rescue? Is that like Norwich Mountaineering Club?
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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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Ratae Corietuvorum, Dia leat a chara! Níl fhios ag na amadánaí anseo leis an Dutch MRT!
Were you skiing in Finland? what gives? I do fancy a Scandi trip sometime - maybe a Spring road trip
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| barry wrote: |
Ratae Corietuvorum, Dia leat a chara! Níl fhios ag na amadánaí anseo leis an Dutch MRT!
Were you skiing in Finland? what gives? I do fancy a Scandi trip sometime - maybe a Spring road trip |
Yes indeed, skiing, snowmobiles, huskies and some big fat dude in red;)
My teacher says he can ski all year round except in the worst of years with a 5 hour drive over to a range in Norway....if it weren't for the levels of light, Scandi life would be very wholesome and attractive.
Levi is quite busy by Finnish standard which mean you have at least one person ahead of you in the lift queue, and a good 2 min wait for hire:)
Apparently there's a run about 20mins from Levi with one run, two lifts and only ever ski'd by two people and a Dachshund called Colin
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Two sets definitely theoretically better than one for reasons indicated - as a general rule you are better having more grip at the back rather than at the front, but your driving wheels will (probably) be the front ones.
Anyway (almost) nobody ever does have two sets...
TBH, for the price of two sets of Thule chains you might as well buy yourself a set of winter tyres and then you won't need them at all.
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FAQ
first time took me 3 hours to fit them all. double 
