Alpine Passes in May; How closed is closed?

[danpollard]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but when using sites like Alpine Portal and similar, when I'm told a pass doesn't open until 1st June, of 1st July, how true is that?

Is it strictly controlled by dates, or is this just a rough guide that varies year on year, depending on the conditions.

Is it a proper metal gate that's locked, or can I drive past the "bad idea" sign until the road is impassable, then turn around and come back?

There's some roads I've done before in the height of summer that I'd like to do bits of again, even if it's just a case of up some of the way and then come back (it's not always the highest parts that are the most spectacular). Most specifically, Furka, Grimsel and San Bernadino.

I'm not very far with planning yet, but just trying to understand the possibilities! I'm actually quite impressed that Google seems to know that you can't drive certain roads at certain times, however I'm not yet sure how much I can rely on just where it stops me!

[Magic919]

I've been over a pass in May only to find it was still shut in June the following year. It was entrirely dependant on the snow. The closed pass had a scaffold pole type gate across it. I was able to drive a fair way up until I reached that point. Was fairly quiet both ways, as you'd expect.

[smack]

Do you own an Unimog with a snow plow attachment?

If yes, after either cutting or smashing through the metal barrier, you should be able to get over the pass...

[danpollard]

Haha, no Unimog. I'm anticipating that I probably won't get all the way across them, but if I know we can get as far up as the problem, it's potentially worth trying. It's the giant metal gates that I'm worried about - from my experience, they're normally at the bottom of the pass to stop you "wasting" your time.

Any ideas how you can find out when each one is actually open - the websites I've found all reference dates, so I don't think they're kept updated.

[danpollard]

I guess it also sort of depends on if anyone lives part way up, as they'd need to be allowed access...

[TooMany2cvs]

danpollard said:

Any ideas how you can find out when each one is actually open - the websites I've found all reference dates, so I don't think they're kept updated.

As he said up there...^ - depends on local weather conditions.

If the road is closed, it's because it's impassible. They'll be checking regularly - daily, probably - and if it's clearable, they'll clear it and open it.

And, no, they won't take kindly to "Oooh, I thought I could go and have a look up to the actual blockage", not least because of the risk of touron numpties with 4x4s who think they can take the blockage on, then find out they can't - or, worse, CAN only to find the road doesn't actually go where they thought it did.

[danpollard]

TooMany2cvs said:

As he said up there...^ - depends on local weather conditions.

If the road is closed, it's because it's impassible. They'll be checking regularly - daily, probably - and if it's clearable, they'll clear it and open it.

And, no, they won't take kindly to "Oooh, I thought I could go and have a look up to the actual blockage", not least because of the risk of touron numpties with 4x4s who think they can take the blockage on, then find out they can't - or, worse, CAN only to find the road doesn't actually go where they thought it did.

Yes, I had wondered that too. I shall be turning around at the first sign of actual snow on the road - I'm fully aware that rear wheel drive and snow don't mix well. Likewise ice! I'm not denying that gate across means impassable - it's more that the views on the way up are often as good as those at the top, where I'd imagine the snow remains.

[danpollard]

danpollard said:

I'm anticipating that I probably won't get all the way across them, but if I know we can get as far up as the problem, it's potentially worth trying.

I've just realised how that read...I didn't mean trying to get through the problem, I meant trying the pass to enjoy the views up to that point! I don't fancy either getting stuck, or dropping into a ravine.

I've since found this site, which seems quite good for live information in Switzerland. It still doesn't answer the element of how far up I could get, but certainly paints a "we're shut right now" image of the alps at the moment!

http://webmaptcs.trafficmap.ch/default_de.aspx

[Geekman]

In my experience, if it's closed, you can be almost certain it's impassable even in a car with winter tyres, let alone one with summer tyres. I spent a week driving around the French alps a couple of months back, and they left all the roads open unless there was very severe snow or ice on them. Some of the roads that were open were still impassable in my RWD car on summers, although the vast majority were OK provided you drove in a fairly committed manner.

Here's a few pictures of the roads I encountered - as you can see, some are no different to driving in England during the winter, whilst some are rather more tricky.

[danpollard]

Geekman said:

In my experience, if it's closed, you can be almost certain it's impassable even in a car with winter tyres, let alone one with summer tyres. I spent a week driving around the French alps a couple of months back, and they left all the roads open unless there was very severe snow or ice on them. Some of the roads that were open were still impassable in my RWD car on summers, although the vast majority were OK provided you drove in a fairly committed manner.

Here's a few pictures of the roads I encountered - as you can see, some are no different to driving in England during the winter, whilst some are rather more tricky.

Thanks Geekman - that's really useful. Photo 1 looks positively great, but 2 and 3 I would not fancy venturing onto with my summer tyres, less still given some of the drops. In something correctly shod and FWD, I'd be well up for it!

I (fairly stupidly) hadn't given a thought for the fact that those open would still be snow covered - of course it makes sense that the road should be open if the majority of cars could manage it. I'd been thinking that if the barrier was open, all would be well...

I think the natural follow up question is which are likely to be the best alpine roads that are clear in May?!

Edited by danpollard on Sunday 19th April 20:20

[Geekman]

danpollard said:

Thanks Geekman - that's really useful. Photo 1 looks positively great, but 2 and 3 I would not fancy venturing onto with my summer tyres, less still given some of the drops. In something correctly shod and FWD, I'd be well up for it!

I (fairly stupidly) hadn't given a thought for the fact that those open would still be snow covered - of course it makes sense that the road should be open if the majority of cars could manage it. I'd been thinking that if the barrier was open, all would be well...

Another thing to consider is that they often have police checkpoints to make sure you've got the correct tyres, or snow chains at the very least, and they'll make you turn around if you don't have them.

I don't live that far from the alps, so I just took the risk I wouldn't get stopped and it worked out for me. Throughout the time I spent there, I didn't see another car on summer tyres - you see plenty of foreign registered cars on holiday but they've all got chains/winter tyres.

I'd happily go again on summers as it's only a couple of hours away from me, but if I was coming all the way from England I'd either stick to the (usually boring) main routes or fit winter tyres.

[matt3001]

How would I find out if the San Marco pass is currently open?

[don logan]

My advice is to find out what the biggest town is that is closest to the pass and call their tourist office and ask them, when you are in the time of year that they are due to open they can close again due to slabs falling into the road from the banks of snow created by the clearing, a lot of websites just aren`t updated quickly enough so calling is the most reliable way to check!

For example, to check The Col de Petite St Bernard status call the Bourg St Maurice Tourist Office

It`s a bit of a pain but not as much of a pain as driving the whole length of the Tarentaise valley to find the Col De Iseran is closed!

July / August you can take your chances