Snow chains and driving in Alps
Discussion
Help and ideas please.
We have just booked a weeks skiing in the Alps and are planning to drive down in my 325D auto touring.
To be honest having driven down a few years ago in my 330d auto, I am dreading arriving in the mountains with snow on the ground. We hired the only snow chains that would fit, the ones where you attach the disc to the wheel hub. It was a complete nightmare. Have even asked to borrow friends A4 Allroad, but he doesn't want the miles loaded on, which I can understand.
I have run flats and are even wondering if it would help reducing tyre pressure when entering snow conditions in the mountains.
Is there an answer to my problem or our cars just pants in the snow, even with the correct snow chains. I am sure that the auto box doesn't help either.
Cheers
Graham
We have just booked a weeks skiing in the Alps and are planning to drive down in my 325D auto touring.
To be honest having driven down a few years ago in my 330d auto, I am dreading arriving in the mountains with snow on the ground. We hired the only snow chains that would fit, the ones where you attach the disc to the wheel hub. It was a complete nightmare. Have even asked to borrow friends A4 Allroad, but he doesn't want the miles loaded on, which I can understand.
I have run flats and are even wondering if it would help reducing tyre pressure when entering snow conditions in the mountains.
Is there an answer to my problem or our cars just pants in the snow, even with the correct snow chains. I am sure that the auto box doesn't help either.
Cheers
Graham
Yup winter tyres will get you through pretty much anything except fresh thick snow. If your ski trip is an annual trip it's not a bad investment and you'll be able to sell them afterwards for decent money especially if you advertise them at the right time!
You will still need chains though, certainly legally I think you need them.
You will still need chains though, certainly legally I think you need them.
I went to Morzine last year, the police were stopping everyone and turning cars away if they didn't have winter tyres on. We hired a car witch had them. Is that an option, drive to Geneva then hire a car with winter tyres? Would be cheaper than buying a set of winter tyres for your car?
Cheers for all the responses.
As you all say it seems winter tyres are the solution. Will price them up. But it all adds to the cost of an alpine holiday, the lift passes are enough!!!! Maybe flying might be a better option.
With regards to chains/socks, I couldn't find socks wide enough to fit the tyres so chains were my only option. as we are going in January the chances of snow are fairly high.
It is such as shame as the car is such a dream to crunch loads of miles on the french motorways.
As you all say it seems winter tyres are the solution. Will price them up. But it all adds to the cost of an alpine holiday, the lift passes are enough!!!! Maybe flying might be a better option.
With regards to chains/socks, I couldn't find socks wide enough to fit the tyres so chains were my only option. as we are going in January the chances of snow are fairly high.
It is such as shame as the car is such a dream to crunch loads of miles on the french motorways.
If you do buy chains, make sure you have a couple of practice runs at fitting them (properly - including re-tensioning) before you leave. From past experience, the only time you need to fit them is when ALL of the following apply:
1) it is freezing cold, with windchill and your fingers are numb (because thick gloves & chains are mutually incompatible)
2) there is traffic moving close to you
3) time is tight - for example you have driven all day and need to get to your destination soon (or you have come off the slopes and need a warm shower & vin chaud)
4) it is snowing like you have never seen before
5) the chains are tangled (because you were cold & wet when you took them off last time in a rush and rammed them in to their case)
6) it is dark (and when you bought the chains you could not be bothered to read the instructions)
7) your passengers have a temper because you are taking such a long time to put the chains on (and remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that it would take half the time if they got out of the car & fitted the chain to the opposite wheel)
and to state the obvious - make sure you pack them last, so you can put your cold hands on them immediately - and as it will be dark you don't want to scatter all your belongings on a snow bank as you try to locate the bloody things.
1) it is freezing cold, with windchill and your fingers are numb (because thick gloves & chains are mutually incompatible)
2) there is traffic moving close to you
3) time is tight - for example you have driven all day and need to get to your destination soon (or you have come off the slopes and need a warm shower & vin chaud)
4) it is snowing like you have never seen before
5) the chains are tangled (because you were cold & wet when you took them off last time in a rush and rammed them in to their case)
6) it is dark (and when you bought the chains you could not be bothered to read the instructions)
7) your passengers have a temper because you are taking such a long time to put the chains on (and remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that it would take half the time if they got out of the car & fitted the chain to the opposite wheel)
and to state the obvious - make sure you pack them last, so you can put your cold hands on them immediately - and as it will be dark you don't want to scatter all your belongings on a snow bank as you try to locate the bloody things.
RammyMP said:
I went to Morzine last year, the police were stopping everyone and turning cars away if they didn't have winter tyres on. We hired a car witch had them. Is that an option, drive to Geneva then hire a car with winter tyres? Would be cheaper than buying a set of winter tyres for your car?
Make sure you hire a car from the Swiss side of Geneva airport.....cars on the French side don't come equipped with snow tyres or even chains for some bizarre reason. Found that out to my cost a few years ago......oldnbold said:
You may need chains as some resorts blockade the roads with police and stop you leaving in certain conditions unless you have them fitted.
I nearly got stuck in Tignes a few years ago, but just managed to buy a cheap set in a local supermarket so we could get out.
Actually French law now recognises Snow socks as a legal alternative to chains. As long as you have them with you, the police cannot fine you. I nearly got stuck in Tignes a few years ago, but just managed to buy a cheap set in a local supermarket so we could get out.
Done Tignes a few times by air, train & car. Last time I was there with the car, we got caught out in a blizzard by some Savoyarde hunchback in a 2cv deciding to stop in the road to fit chains.
By the time he got going, there was so much snow, we had no traction & had to go back down the mountain to fit our chains & go back up again. Chains are a pain to fit & I much prefer socks - kinder to alloy wheels too. Thinking back, the only hassle we had from the Flics was a stop to order me to remove two feet of snow from the roof on the way in to Bourg one day. Fair enough really.
By the time he got going, there was so much snow, we had no traction & had to go back down the mountain to fit our chains & go back up again. Chains are a pain to fit & I much prefer socks - kinder to alloy wheels too. Thinking back, the only hassle we had from the Flics was a stop to order me to remove two feet of snow from the roof on the way in to Bourg one day. Fair enough really.
il sole said:
Actually French law now recognises Snow socks as a legal alternative to chains. As long as you have them with you, the police cannot fine you.
Are you sure about this? Last year they were NOT legal.You have to have winter tyres by law in Austria and Germany.
In switzerland they are optional for visitors, but you are automatically deemed to be at fault if you have an accident.
Remember also in France you must carry high vis jacket, bulb kit and alcohol testers.
[quote=Vroomer]
Are you sure about this? Last year they were NOT legal.
http://www.autosock.co.uk/2011/AutoSock_B26_France...
there's your answer!
Are you sure about this? Last year they were NOT legal.
http://www.autosock.co.uk/2011/AutoSock_B26_France...
there's your answer!
Griffgrey, can't you get BMW winters in that scheme they started? for £xxx they fit winters on other wheels and keep your summers and alloys safe for you.
I still find it hard to tell if winter tyres is all you need to drive past an "aire de chainage" without incurring the wrath of the gendarmes.
I drove out once in a MINI, bought some chains in Bourg St Maurice on the way. Needed them on the way out of resort and they were a major pain in the arse.
Alcohol tester enforcement has been pushed back again (to March next year IIRC), due to lack of tester stock in France
I still find it hard to tell if winter tyres is all you need to drive past an "aire de chainage" without incurring the wrath of the gendarmes.
I drove out once in a MINI, bought some chains in Bourg St Maurice on the way. Needed them on the way out of resort and they were a major pain in the arse.
Alcohol tester enforcement has been pushed back again (to March next year IIRC), due to lack of tester stock in France
il sole said:
http://www.autosock.co.uk/2011/AutoSock_B26_France...
there's your answer!
Thanks for that! Still no good in Austrian or Swiss Alps though!there's your answer!
So, it's rather complicated if you are travelling through the alps:
French Alps
Winter tyres optional, must carry Autosox or snowchains, must carry high vis vest, bulb kit, alcohol testers and must disable speed camera detectors (even if part of built in sat nav)
Swiss Alps
Winter tyres optional but there are consequences if you are in an accident without them, must carry snowchains.
Austrian Alps
Winter tyres compulsory, must carry snowchains,
And aren't there rules about torches and first aid kits too?
French Alps
Winter tyres optional, must carry Autosox or snowchains, must carry high vis vest, bulb kit, alcohol testers and must disable speed camera detectors (even if part of built in sat nav)
Swiss Alps
Winter tyres optional but there are consequences if you are in an accident without them, must carry snowchains.
Austrian Alps
Winter tyres compulsory, must carry snowchains,
And aren't there rules about torches and first aid kits too?
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