Christmas/New year drive to Chamonix ??

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Just been thinking about a little road trip abroad in the Christmas break..
Probably between 27th Dec to 2/3rd Jan
Would love to go to Chamonix or somewhere similar.
But what are the access roads like, I know all the passes will be shut but presume main routes are business as normal?...

Happy for any suggestions for other locations, even in Germany etc

Just love the idea of a lodge away somewhere or reasonable hotel close to a few bars restaurants etc ...


Am sure many will suggest to fly but then I would need hire car etc and i enjoy driving my car so it may be a cheaper more adventurous option...

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brickwall said:

Hard to have fun at that time of the year. The roads that are open are normally busy with ski traffic, and a bit treacherous with ice/snow to have fun hooning.

I certainly wouldn't be hooning,

I like the journey, stopping off at different places the scenery etc.

But if you say traffic is a nightmare then maybe not a good idea.... as said am open to suggestions...

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CAPP0 said:

The traffic will be beyond dire on changeover days (Sat/Sun), even more so given the festive season, to the point where you really would be better off walking unless you particularly like inspecting your car's interior for hours on end. Rest of the time the roads won't be too busy but I'd heartily recommend winter tyres, because it will frequently snow overnight and leave a couple of inches on the road, which the locals regard with about the same amount of concern as we do a light shower of rain, but which will render all Brits stationary!

Thanks for that. Looks like it's a no go really...

Any other mini road trip suggestions??

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brickwall said:

Germany? Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, etc.

Never stayed in Germany apart from at the ring..... but am all for it, though don't want the wife to start becoming hairy..

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cashmax said:

Driven to Chamonix and Morzine a few of times for Xmas.

The traffic has NEVER been a problem for me, no long queues and only perhaps the odd slowdown when it's snowing and someone has put chains on when they don't need them.

The roads are always well cleared at the pinch points, with only a full on dump of snow causing problems.

There's hope!!

I would more than likely be travelling mid week so perhaps I could well avoid the traffic then?!

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CharlesdeGaulle said:

Are you driving there to ski, or just for the drive and holiday? If the latter, give Germany a go.

Great destinations, fantastic infrastructure. Loads to choose from, but anywhere in the Black Forest/Bavaria/along the Moselle is worth a go.


Actually, I've just re-read the OP. Lodges in the places I've mentioned, plus the Harz Mountains, will be cheaper than the mainstream ski resorts too. We Brits don't appereciate Germany enough.

Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Saturday 15th October 22:14

Not set on going ski-ing but fancied trying it, just loved the setting more than anything....

I'll delve a little further at Germany.. thanks for that

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Nobby Diesel said:

The experience will be completely dictated by the weather, the time of day and the day of the week.
There are always exceptions, but generally, you should be able to get to Geneva with no real dramas.
If you hit Geneva at the wrong time of day, the regular city traffic will slow you down. Geneva to Cham should be around 1 hour and 15 minutes, in clear conditions. In snowy conditions, it's taken 4 hours.
Friday traffic out of Geneva is heavy, with many Genovites travelling to their weekend homes in the Cham Valley. Early Saturday and to a lesser degree, Sunday morning, can be a log jam, with day trippers making the journey. Many stop at Les Houches, so it can clear quickly.
I think that I would suggest you plan your trip to make the last 100 miles in the middle of a mid week day.

Thanks, sound like with careful planning and a bit of luck it may make a stress free trip