Alpine Passes Starting to Close Due to Snow

[Far Cough]

Just thought I`d post up that a couple of Alpine Passes are closing already due to being snowbound - Bloody weather...

Namely :

Galibier
Iseran
Furka
Grimselpass
Sustenpass

The following have been marked as having snow and some including Stelvio require snowchains

Umbrail
Nufenenpass
Oberalp

If your heading out save this website and check to avoid disappointment :http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenservice/alpenpaesse.html

Leaving tomorrow so a quick change of route needed

[topalwaysdown]

I've been keeping an eye on the webcams the last couple of weeks to gauge what the weather's like at this time of year. I've planned a trip next year that takes in Stelvio and the Andermatt loop on the 14th and 15th, hoping that they're clear. I was only able to do the Gotthard last May as the Furka and Grimsel were snowed under.

Was quite surprised to see Stelvio really busy at the start of the week, then completely buried yesterday morning! Fingers crossed for next year!

[Far Cough]

We went last year at the start of October and only one pass was closed. I was surprised so many are getting hit by early snow. Mother nature eh ? It's the price you pay to let the school holidays finish for a quieter time.

[djtex]

I'm heading over in that direction tomorrow morning, was planning to hit the Stelvio on Monday morning, I see that Grimsel and Furka now say they are open. In anyone's experience, does this change from day to day, or is that it and they are now closing for good?

[Yell_M3]

At this time of year it's really day to day. However I have done it in Sept and all was fine. Best of luck.

[dcb]

Yell_M3 said:

At this time of year it's really day to day. However I have done it in Sept and all was fine. Best of luck.

You'll need it.

I've been over there in July, and while it was raining and 9C in the
valley below, it was close to freezing and snowing about half way up.

Bizarrely, I forgot to pack my winter tyres for a July trip ;->

[don logan]

I got caught out on the 31st of August unable to do Iseran and Galibier due to chains being obligitory, my car had Yokohama AD08s on it and not only did I not fancy my chances but I just didn't see the point because I"d just slithered up Pt St Bernard, sliding into and out of pretty shallow curves!

By the time I'd got to Bonette the next day that was closed too but I'm pretty sure that was for a cycle race!

It's all happened very early this year! (the last 3yrs have been completely snowless at that time in those places)

[danyeates]

We did Stelvio, Furka and Grimsel last week. All were fine, no signs of snow! Crazy to think it changes so much in a few days. Have a look at the YouTube video we made http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8P-ximvb3c&fea...

[redback911]

Wow, we also did some of the passes around 10 days ago. Weather was awesome.







One of our routes:

Edited by redback911 on Monday 17th September 11:26

[XB70]

Far Cough said:

Just thought I`d post up that a couple of Alpine Passes are closing already due to being snowbound - Bloody weather...

Namely :

Galibier
Iseran
Furka
Grimselpass
Sustenpass

The following have been marked as having snow and some including Stelvio require snowchains

Umbrail
Nufenenpass
Oberalp

If your heading out save this website and check to avoid disappointment :http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenservice/alpenpaesse.html

Leaving tomorrow so a quick change of route needed

Good luck - we are that way at the end of the month and already booked cars and flights.

[djtex]

I'm here right now in Bellinzona and the weather is amazing and the roads all open and perfect. Did the Stelvio, Fluela and San Bernadino today, tomorrow it's the Gotthard and Andermatt Loop.

Fluela my favourite to drive by a mile, the best scenery is on the San Bernadino, breathtaking up there.

[Roastie ITR]

I did the San Bernadino, Furka Pass and Grimsel Pass yesterday, great weather. Stelvio still had snow at the top on Sunday, but roads were clear.

If anyone comes across my front number plate, it was last seen between Furka and Grimsel lol

[Far Cough]

Just back from 2500 miles over all the passes. ALL OPEN and no hint of snow anywhere , even on one of the highest Col Du Bonnette at 2860meters.

We had nothing but cloudless blue skies and blazing sunshine. Not what was expected but welcome all the same.

[Allyc85]

These webcams can be useful for road trips...

http://webcam.popso.it/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT...

http://en.swisswebcams.ch/karte

[XB70]

We are heading over tomorrow so will do a trip report when we get back

[Far Cough]

Have a great time - Dont spend to much time in switzerland. As we found out , they hate fast cars with a passion and their favorite pasttime is driving at 25mph and refusing to overtake. When you subsequently do they ring the plod and say your driving like a hooligan !

[XB70]

Far Cough said:

Have a great time - Dont spend to much time in switzerland. As we found out , they hate fast cars with a passion and their favorite pasttime is driving at 25mph and refusing to overtake. When you subsequently do they ring the plod and say your driving like a hooligan !

We have the slowest cars on the planet so no fear of reaching the speed limit!

[XB70]

We had overcast, rain and some sunshine so cannot complain as could access the passes.

Definitely agree with the overtaking - one of them sped up to try and prevent me moving back across FFS!!!

The passes were great and the road from Bormio to Davos was brilliant.

As others noted, the Stelvio is overrated: accelerate, brake, turn, accelerate, brake, turn but still good to have ticked it off the list.

Credit to the Swiss though, they build brilliant roads and tunnels

PS: if anyone here owns an Alvis rego MFF 5**, you sir are an absolute legend. Saw you on the Furka pass.

[Dave Thornton]

which way is the best way to do Stelvio - from Umbrail or Trafoi?

[Bitofbully]

Was over that way a couple of weeks ago - nothing closed - even on the high passes, eg. Otzal Glacier at 2800m.