The Alps, in winter

[LimaDelta]

Anyone have any info on road closures/weather etc. that I am likely to encounter driving across the alps, probably late November or early December? I would like to drive Stelvio if possible, anyone done it at that time of year?

[Allyc85]

Hate to tell you but Stelvio will be covered in snow at that time of year, as will pretty much all of the best passes

[LimaDelta]

Allyc85 said:

Hate to tell you but Stelvio will be covered in snow at that time of year, as will pretty much all of the best passes

Yeah, figured as much, when do they re-open usually?

[Allyc85]

Some time around June usually.

[LimaDelta]

Wow, as late as that? I assume the only options are the tunnels then?

[Alfa4ever]

Just to give you an example, here are a few photos from late June so you can imagine what winter will look like.

Grand St Bernard - road had only been open about a week, and we'd driven through a blizzard about 20 minutes before these pics were taken








Stelvio - road was only opened the week before




Grimsel - road had been open for about 10 days

[GTompkins]

When do these roads close again? Hoping to drive from Lucerne over Grimsell, Furka and down to Lake Como at the end of September. Do I need to plan a different route (or at least have a plan B)?

[Hooli]

They are probably already shutting. There is a website that lists them all, I can't remember it but google might know.

[CarbonXKR]

Hooli said:

They are probably already shutting. There is a website that lists them all, I can't remember it but google might know.

Don't think that can be right about shutting already, still looks okay on the webcams - albeit not T shirt and shorts weather on top

[itsnotarace]

http://www.infotrafic.com/route.php?region=FRANC&a...

[AdiT]

I doubt they'll be closed for winter untill Late Nov' and could be into Dec' depending on when the first heavy snow happens. In a bad year it could be earlier. They can be impassable for a day or so at any time of year. Travel late or early in the year, then the more likely it is. We had to turn back on the Grimsel in late June one year when caught in a blizzard (not fun in an open car on 888 tyres). Many of the passes opened this year and then re-shut for weeks in June when a massive storm came in.

[Kronstein]

If you're looking for off-season passes, the main routes in the Dolomites are kept open /includes several fairly high passes.

[GTompkins]

Any specific passes or towns/villages you can suggest that go through the Dolomites? Planning to drive back from Tuscany to Lake Konstanz. Considering the road from St Moritz to Chur and then along Lichtenstein to the lake. Any good?

[Hooli]

CarbonXKR said:

Hooli said:

They are probably already shutting. There is a website that lists them all, I can't remember it but google might know.

Don't think that can be right about shutting already, still looks okay on the webcams - albeit not T shirt and shorts weather on top

I was just trying to worry the OP

[CarbonXKR]

Hooli said:

I was just trying to worry the OP

Worried me too; I'm away on Wednesday

[Kronstein]

GTompkins said:

Any specific passes or towns/villages you can suggest that go through the Dolomites? Planning to drive back from Tuscany to Lake Konstanz. Considering the road from St Moritz to Chur and then along Lichtenstein to the lake. Any good?

The area to the West of Cortina is a good bet. Most main passes should get cleared after any snowfalls as they're the only roads in the region.

http://alpineroads.com/dolomites.php

Suggest the great Dolomite road, the Sella, the Pordoi, the Falzigaro, maybe even the Giau, the Gardena.

(Snow chains/winter tyres etc.)

St. Mortitz to Chur - alpineroads notes that the Julier is open all yr round - can only vouch for it in the warmer months but a great drive/scenery - best East to West.

http://alpineroads.com/passes.php

Edited by Kronstein on Thursday 29th August 09:44

[Hooli]

CarbonXKR said:

Hooli said:

I was just trying to worry the OP

Worried me too; I'm away on Wednesday

Sorry.

[krallicious]

As a general rule the passes open in the 2nd week of June and close in the last week of October. I used the Nufenenpass 4 weeks ago and there was still snow at the top.

[kwakus]

We are near Chur tonight after doing the furka, grimsel, nufenen, st gotthard and oberalp, all are open but there is still snow at the tips, warm enough for t shirts. Not sure on when they close though

[CarbonXKR]

kwakus said:

We are near Chur tonight after doing the furka, grimsel, nufenen, st gotthard and oberalp, all are open but there is still snow at the tips, warm enough for t shirts. Not sure on when they close though

Thanks for the info, will be there in a week so hope it stays fair.......