Skiing - Anyone taken their P&J

[Stampede]

As I am now "between" jobs, I thought I'd take the opportunity of a pink ticket from Mrs S and enjoy a few days in the alps skiing.

Has anyone had any experience of taking an elise to a ski resort?

What sort of preparation should I undertake? Chains, antifreeze etc?

S690

[rfoster]

Good insurance!!!!!!

[Ranger 6]

Do a search on chains, there's much discussed recently as it is the season.

Basically carrying chains and spare bulb kits are a legal requirement in some areas and then you may have to carry flourescent tabards etc as well.

Have fun!

[miro]

There was a thread either here or on SELOC about this end of last year. someone suggested some Snow boots, A fabric alternative to chains, so as not to damage the clams. looked quite interesting.

[Gooby]

After using snow chains on a hire car, there is now way on planet earth I would put them on a 'Liz.

[logoman]

been to chamonix a few times, fun driving.

[superpp]

driven upto Chamonix (probably the easiset to get to).
Motorway upto the resort.
Wouldn't like to attempt in snow though.

Chains on an elise wouldn't be something I'd try, not like you've got big wheel arches.

[miro]

http://www.autosock.co.uk/

These are the things someone suggested.

[logoman]

I've tried chains, It sounds like the elise is ripping it'self apart - took them off!
would like to try the snow socks, but really you dont want to do too much driving on the fresh 'dry' compacted stuff of the alps - the softer slushy snow like we have in the uk is MUCH easier.

[german tony]

You don't wanna mess about with an Elise on the snow, you wanna mess about with a 4wd hatchback on the snow.

[andykirk]

You want to see some proper driving in snow?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OekJdxidRMY

Nordschleife covered in snow in a 911

[Raify]

I recently damaged the ABS sensor on my MINI with snow chains on the way back from Tignes. I would be very reticent about putting them on an Elise.

They're also a complete pain in the ae to put on.

Snow tyres are fantastic, and if you could get enough use out of them make good financial sense.

The socks that have been linked to already would be my next choice.

[bher]

What about the new "socks"
http://www.autosock.co.uk/

I would not put chains on an Elise and I would not take it on the snow. The car is way too light, or you should put 95 F and 135 R-width tyre on it.

[david@mediacopy]

I've been trying to find out about this for ages but have yet to find any sensible advice. There is a chap on SELOC who's used his S1 with chains and sounds quite positive about the experience.

The main issue seems to be the clearance between the inside of the rear tyre and the body. I think with narrow chains you would be OK. Winter tyres are always recommended but not really an option for sprint across Europe for a week or 2 in the hills. I'd be tempted to run chains (that give clearance) on standard tyres (if I had too), but once in resort use the local bus service should it snow.

I've used Elises in the snow before and as long as you take it easy and are sensible it's good fun. Steeper Hills can be an issue though :-)

The manual for my new S does give a snow chain recommendation - Pewag Neon X3 - NX373 - but only in conjunction with Winter tyres:

F- Pirelli 210 - 195/50 R16
R - Pirelli 240 - 215/45 R17

See - http://www.snowchainshop.co.uk/snow_chains_cars.as... bottom of the page

[david@mediacopy]

I called the guys at the snow-chain place and the AutoSock looks the best bet for occasional use.

[tnjj]

i was in scotland (glenshee) snow boarding when a blizzard hit and still was able to fly round the corners. Ok it was more heavy slush ish....... i would go out in snow! fun fun fun

[german tony]

If you are driving through Germany you need proper winter tyres, with the little piccie of the mountains & the snowflake on (ie not just M+S) or you'll get German plod blaiming you for any accident that happens, whether it's you fault or not. I'd ask the RAC/AA which other countries have this rule, I'm pretty sure Austria & Switerland do, for example.

On the plus side having the right tyres on
=
much more control when going for that really big pow(d)er slide.

[Stampede]

german tony said:

You don't wanna mess about with an Elise on the snow, you wanna mess about with a 4wd hatchback on the snow.

That is why I now have a Subaru.

[german tony]

Had to happen really didn't it?

[logoman]

I always hear about the winter tyre rules abroad. But does anyone know who makes winter tyres for the S1?