Alpine passes in November
Discussion
Hi PH Massive.
Next week hopefully I'll be on a major hoon from the UK to Sicily and back in the GTR.
The question is; should I avoid the Alpine passes on the basis they'll be either shut, misty or treacherous - OR - Will they be open and glorious? I could go via Geneva instead and scoot around the Southern French coast which is supposedly another fantastic coastal hoon.
Anyone been over the Alpine passes in November?
Next week hopefully I'll be on a major hoon from the UK to Sicily and back in the GTR.
The question is; should I avoid the Alpine passes on the basis they'll be either shut, misty or treacherous - OR - Will they be open and glorious? I could go via Geneva instead and scoot around the Southern French coast which is supposedly another fantastic coastal hoon.
Anyone been over the Alpine passes in November?
I went over one last weekend, not a sign of any snow and because of the good weather there were lots of cracking cars around. Had an E39 M5 follow me up the pass in a rather brisk 45min climb, I stopped at the top and he gave me the thumbs up as he carried on.
Today was about 15 degrees and sunny in Switzerland (at 2500ft).
However in November there's no way of predicting it. Last year it was great, summer weather all the way up to December, then snow came suddenly.
I'd go for it, and check the weather forecast a couple days before. If its bad, you can always take the tunnels, but if it's good you'll have a wonderful time and unlike summer no dutch caravans on the roads.
Today was about 15 degrees and sunny in Switzerland (at 2500ft).
However in November there's no way of predicting it. Last year it was great, summer weather all the way up to December, then snow came suddenly.
I'd go for it, and check the weather forecast a couple days before. If its bad, you can always take the tunnels, but if it's good you'll have a wonderful time and unlike summer no dutch caravans on the roads.
Smifffy said:
Anyone been over the Alpine passes in November?
Some of us have done quite a few Alpine winters.Get the car prepared downto about -30C, far more
than you'll ever need in the UK, get yourself and
your passengers some proper winter thermals, swap
the summer tyres for proper winter tyres and you'll
be fine on the lower passes. Quite a few of them are
open all year round.
If you want to do some of the higher ones, suggest
get a Unimog or better still, a tracked vehicle
with a shovel on the front.
dcb said:
Smifffy said:
Anyone been over the Alpine passes in November?
Some of us have done quite a few Alpine winters.Get the car prepared downto about -30C, far more
than you'll ever need in the UK, get yourself and
your passengers some proper winter thermals, swap
the summer tyres for proper winter tyres and you'll
be fine on the lower passes. Quite a few of them are
open all year round.
If you want to do some of the higher ones, suggest
get a Unimog or better still, a tracked vehicle
with a shovel on the front.
@ the OP, sure it will be fine, there isn't much snowfall, and that which there is doesn't hang around long. roads are cleared regularly to make them driveable, and passes are shut as soon snow gets anywhere near being a problem. The post above has totally overcooked it. It will not be -30 next week!
veevee said:
@ the OP, sure it will be fine, there isn't much snowfall, and that which there is doesn't hang around long. roads are cleared regularly to make them driveable, and passes are shut as soon snow gets anywhere near being a problem. The post above has totally overcooked it. It will not be -30 next week!
Depends how much of a safety gap you want. I just checked the weather forecast for Obergurgl, Bonnie Osterreich,
at a lovely 1800 m above sea level and they are saying -21C minimum for Saturday
nite with a pretty fresh -19C for Sunday afternoon.
That's only a 9C safety gap !
Hi Smiffy
I think Italy is forecast some snow at the weekend. Plan A is do it, but check weather en-route and be ready for plan B. I'd suggest Mont Blanc as plan B as you can avoid Swiss tax. I do Tuscany from York in 1 day though, so take the fastest route.
I think in Nov you are obliged to carry chains in France & Italy, if you go at any altitude, so be prepared.
Plenty of great roads where you're headed BTW.
Have fun.
I think Italy is forecast some snow at the weekend. Plan A is do it, but check weather en-route and be ready for plan B. I'd suggest Mont Blanc as plan B as you can avoid Swiss tax. I do Tuscany from York in 1 day though, so take the fastest route.
I think in Nov you are obliged to carry chains in France & Italy, if you go at any altitude, so be prepared.
Plenty of great roads where you're headed BTW.
Have fun.
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