taking the Cerb skiing

[guydw]

I'm thinking of taking the Cerb to Switzerland this weekend.... what do you all reckon ?

Anyone done it ?

Am I mad ? Or is it OK ?

[GCerbera]

guydw said:

I'm thinking of taking the Cerb to Switzerland this weekend.... what do you all reckon ? Anyone done it ? Am I mad ? Or is it OK ?

Sounds good to me.

[morebeanz]

Saw a photo posted here earlier from someone who had taken it to the snow. Looked awesome!

I don't doubt that you may have some fun and games with traction but it certainly shouldn't overheat!

Go for it!

[jonnie5]

morebeanz said:

Saw a photo posted here earlier from someone who had taken it to the snow. Looked awesome!

That would have been William Balls's yellow cerb, he's called tvrolet now.

I'm off skiing this weekend, but unfortunately going by plane, really fancy those mountain hairpins (perhaps in the summer though )

[nms]

I was in the French Alps a couple of weeks ago (not in the cerb) and due to the snow that had fallen they were insisting on snow chains....not really sure I would fancy putting them on my cerb.

If there is no fresh new snow then you will be ok with the car but the skiing will suffer....tough call!

[satman]

guydw said:

I'm thinking of taking the Cerb to Switzerland this weekend.... what do you all reckon ? Anyone done it ? Am I mad ? Or is it OK ?

Having worked in Switerland virtually every other week for the past 7/8 years, a couple of things to note....
1. Although many of the roads to and from the Ski resorts are clear or cleared on a regular basis from snow/ice, many of the smaller side roads arent, so if your hotel/cabin/chalet is off the main road, its likely to be a little difficult with a light car and lots of horses.......
2. If you intend to travel on ANY Swiss autoroutes (marked as an 'A' road), you will need to buy a "Vignette", ( a sticker/tax disc thing to go into your windscreen), costing 40CHF (approx £18).These are available at most maned border crossings or Swiss post offices. If you dont have one and the Police stop you on a Autoroute,or more commonly at the end of a sliproad leaving the autoroute, its a nasty fine, plus the cost of the vingette!! and say you dont understand or 'Anglais', doesnt work!!!
3. Dont rev the car at the border too much, or give the impression that as much unburnt Optimax leaves the exhaust as is burnt in the engine. The Swiss are very "green", and it has been known for them to refuse entry....happened to a friend who had a slightly smoky camper van, and they wouldnt let him pass to polute the alpine air!!
4. Finally....make sure you have a red warning triangle with you....compolsory! The police get the major hump with you if you have an accident, breakdown etc and you arent using one, and they tend then to be very un helpful, even if its not your fault!
Hope this helps!

[GCerbera]

satman said:

Hope this helps!

I certainly found it interesting, thanks Paddy.

>> Edited by GCerbera on Friday 11th February 14:49

[guydw]

Thanks for that.

I'll remember to get the sticker.

May have to do without the triangle - or buy one in France tommorrow ...

Somewhat unsure about going up the mountain, but hey, should be an adventure ....

[gazzab]

you have to have snow chains!
My old cerb went skiing with prev owner.

[guydw]

well that was fun.

No trouble getting in and out, no hassle from local plod, driving round Lake Geneva was cool (I may have had smoke on the water cued up - the kids loved it !).

Giving it large in 2nd / 3rd through those tunnels was a hoot.

The Swiss alps were fine. Dug the car out from two foot of snow, started immediately, no problem.

Coming back through France however was a nightmare. The snow tipped down, on the autoroute there was so much snow that the car refused to go forwards. Even the the smallest amount of throttle made the back come out, so at one point I was driving sideways.

I was a hairs breadth away from losing it completely, spinning and ending up in a ditch. I had to hole up and wait for the snow to clear - not entirely comfortable.

So overall I'd say Cerbs in the Alps are a good thing, but if it's snowing don't even try.

I'm now a supporter of traction control ! lol

[GCerbera]

Thanks for that report Guy, sounds like you had fun.

I recall gbbird having some similar fun on the way back from Topcats last year.

[guydw]

lots of fun. The Cerb caused a major stir wherever it went .... and looked the business in the mountains !

[duke thrust]

Hi Guy,

By a bizarre coincidence I was in Switzerland this weeked too, left the Chim at home though and flew. You're a brave man, I was in a lot of that snow and wouldn't have fancied it much.

Cheers,

Max

[guydw]

Switzerland was fine, roads clear etc.

France - different story....