Winter driving

I am driving up to Les Coches below La Plagne on Boxing Day. I see that it is mostly major roads all the way but then the route from Amie is very windy.
I have snow chains but what is the road like in general?
Does it often shut becuase of the poor weather?
Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

Dougiee wrote:I am driving up to Les Coches below La Plagne on Boxing Day. I see that it is mostly major roads all the way but then the route from Amie is very windy.
I have snow chains but what is the road like in general?
Does it often shut becuase of the poor weather?
Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

They're going to be working hard to keep the route open and I don't think it's particularly infamous for getting closed. You might need chains but for it too close entirely would be pretty exceptional. That said, it's happened a couple of times in the last few years that road up to the Tarentaise have been closed. Nothing too much to worry about I'd say though. The problems often start once you're in the station trying to find your accommodation and parking though. Worth getting contact numbers for where you're staying probably although that's pretty obvious I guess )

Ian Wickham wrote:You will have no problems in Niederau, all roads will be heated, the locals will put on your snow cans for you and you can't get lost as the road is lined with peroni. :lol:

Dont like the sound of that at all.

Any one know what the roads are like around la plagne at end of january?

iannikkei wrote:Any one know what the roads are like around la plagne at end of january?

no :lol:

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:You will have no problems in Niederau, all roads will be heated, the locals will put on your snow cans for you and you can't get lost as the road is lined with peroni. :lol:

Dont like the sound of that at all.

Tony, I'm shocked, you've changed your "Avatar"

ise wrote:

Jan I Stenmark wrote:

ise wrote:No country on mainland Europe requires you to have chains or winter tyres

As far as winter tyres, errr, Austria ;) 01/11/08 - 15/04/09 ...

err, no they don't ;)

Unless the FO have got it all wrong, I submit the following to support my comment:

Road Travel in Winter (1 November-15 April)

New legislation, which comes into force on 1 January 2008, demands that all vehicles with up to 3.5 tonnes laden weight use winter tyres on all wheels in wintry road conditions (snow, slush, ice). Snow chains on the driving wheels will only be allowed as an alternative where the road is fully covered by snow and/or ice and the road surface will not be damaged by the chains. Chains or summer tyres will not be allowed for slush conditions. Heavy fines or temporary loss of vehicle may be imposed on those who ignore this legislation.


The full statement can be read here:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/europe/austria

The same content can be seen here:

http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=51959

and whilst I admit that this only anecdotal evidence, we received a letter in October informing us that Winter Tyres were compulsory from 1st November. For several days the police were stopping every car and inspecting tyres.

I hope this resolves any misunderstanding.

Jan

Jan I Stenmark wrote:

I hope this resolves any misunderstanding.

Jan

absolutely, apology accepted, that's very gracious of you.

seasons greeting!