Best time of year for Stelvio

[lordchoc]

What's the best time of year for a trip to the Stelvio Pass? I'm a tad worried that the Stelvio Pass is going to be busy at the height of summer and I'll find someone like me coming the other way ;-)

[itsnotarace]

Late May, although it's a gamble with the weather. For hooning, there are loads of better passes than Stelvio. Get up really early if you want to avoid countless Dutch caravans, Belgian motorhomes, cyclists and motorcyclists clogging up each hairpin

[lordchoc]

Thanks - I figured an early start was probably in order.

[smack]

itsnotarace said:

Late May, although it's a gamble with the weather. For hooning, there are loads of better passes than Stelvio.

+1

Anyhow, if you really want to visit, check when the pass opens, which usually is late May/start of June. If you are in Switzerland and don't have internet access, it is on a teletext page on the TV - the Swiss internet page on the alpine passes status was just the display of the teletext page, well it was 2 years ago anyhow. Which is useful if your car has a tv!

[Johno]

I'm a fan of mid September. The weathers just as good as May. The prices have come back down and the tourists have gone home in the main . . I suspect a very similar situation to May.

[Lakeland9]

When does it normally close for the winter? I'm going that way in late October?

[Allyc85]

I did Stelvio in late September last year and apart from one stupid bint in a Diesel Kia people carrier and a few lance Armstrong wannabes it wasnt too busy. We are going back in late August this year but im expecting it to be very busy

[RainerM]

Hi,
have a look here, it should be up-dated daily, and there is "some" English translation available, don't ask me about the quality ;-)

http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenpaesse.html

Problem is in the Alps, snow is always possible short-term, depending on weather, so it is easiest checking daily the forecast and then decide, which not always easy ;-)

Enjoy your driving.

Rainer-CH

[G Man]

lordchoc said:

What's the best time of year for a trip to the Stelvio Pass? I'm a tad worried that the Stelvio Pass is going to be busy at the height of summer and I'll find someone like me coming the other way ;-)

IIRC Officially the Stelvio doesn't open until 1 Jun ....if the snow melts before so be it, but they clear the snow for that date ... we went there 2 years ago and the hotel proprietor said thats when it opened

[Davey S2]

I know its a 'must do' but there are so many other brilliant roads in that part of the world which arent clogged up with campervans and cyclists.

[pilbeam_mp62]

My daughter and I travelled over a few passes (including the Stelvio) on the 2007 Scally Rally, which was in September. I expect you will be going in more luxurious transport - the Metro cost us £100.

[skodamanpat]

I normally go in september, but planning on late June this year so long as the weather plays ball

[350zroadster]

I did the Alps in September in 2007 and it was stunning, the kids had gone back to school and the roads were empty.
Last year I organised a rally through the Swiss alps and down to Modena, we left on 12th June and all the passes were still closed until a few days before we went. The winter of 2008/2009 was one of the coldest for some time but this year has surpassed it and there is still lots of snow about, it could be a late start again this year. Anyway there was lots of nail biting and hurried last minute plans for re-routings, but it all came good. The passes were open when we got there but there was still lots of snow around, it was very cold and wet, and from about half way up we were in the clouds so had no views at all and couldn't see the roads we'd come to enjoy. I'd go later in the year if I was planning it again (and I am). Enjoy the drive...

[350zroadster]

This was what the passes looked like last June.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8jce5Tl890&fea...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kff5YmdWQkY&fea...

[dcb]

Davey S2 said:

I know its a 'must do'

Only because Clarkie said so.

Watch out if it's raining down in the valley - it'll
probably be snowing before you reach the top.

In July, I didn't really expect to need my snow boots
above 8,000 feet.

[skodamanpat]

350zroadster said:

The winter of 2008/2009 was one of the coldest for some time but this year has surpassed it

I was under the impression they where having a comparatively mild April AH well not setting off until the 20th, mainly concerned about the more minor roads, Nufenen, Umbrail, and the Albula but only time will tell.

[350zroadster]

skodamanpat said:

350zroadster said:

The winter of 2008/2009 was one of the coldest for some time but this year has surpassed it

I was under the impression they where having a comparatively mild April AH well not setting off until the 20th, mainly concerned about the more minor roads, Nufenen, Umbrail, and the Albula but only time will tell.

when we had the big snowfalls in the new year, I know the resorts all across the Alps were saying that they had the best and deepest snow for years. Hopefully a mild spring will get it all shifted though. Keep an eye on these for the latest and enjoy the trip:-

http://www.swisswebcams.ch/english/
http://www.alpineroads.com/passstatus.php
http://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/infos_zur_schweiz/verk...

[RPM1200]

A small group of supercar drivers are doing the Stelvio as part of a 5 day Europe tour end of May, if anyone wants to join. Just cost of 4 hotels, fuel and tolls, no admin fee. We're leaving 24th May if anyone interested in coming too. Should be fun.

[smack]

RPM1200 said:

A small group of supercar drivers are doing the Stelvio as part of a 5 day Europe tour end of May, if anyone wants to join. Just cost of 4 hotels, fuel and tolls, no admin fee. We're leaving 24th May if anyone interested in coming too. Should be fun.

57 months for your first post!?!?!?!?!

[skodamanpat]

RPM1200 said:

A small group of supercar drivers are doing the Stelvio as part of a 5 day Europe tour end of May, if anyone wants to join. Just cost of 4 hotels, fuel and tolls, no admin fee. We're leaving 24th May if anyone interested in coming too. Should be fun.

Blimey I was hoping for a mild spring and thaw by the 20th of June, you guys are hoping for a miracle, good luck!