Posts by sbutton

It's actually La Bresse Hohneck where we're staying, which is right on the slopes (and very small) it was only built 2 years ago, and google street view shows it as a building site!

The webcam http://www.webcam-ski.com/interfaces/labresse/interface.php?pk_interface=457&m=images&r=historique&annee=2013&mois=1&jour=7 makes it look pretty patchy in places at the base of the slopes, but we're not going for a few weeks yet so hopefully they will get a bit more snow. The slopes look OK, but I don't think there will be much off piste this week.

Everyone I've spoken to have not even heard of the Vosges Mountains. Perhaps that's a good thing, as it always seems to be a British accent of the drunk idiot who wakes me up singing in the street at 3AM. No offence to any British non-idiots reading, but sometimes it's nice to get away from Brits.

Have just booked for La Bresse Hohneck for the first week of Feb. Being at such a low altitude (in the Vosges region of North Eastern France in case you, like most people, haven't even heard of it).

It's about 3+ hours closer than driving to the Alpes, and seems great for the family, but I wonder if anyone has anything to say about the place?

I'll be snowboarding/skiing and the three kids 5, 8 and 12 will be skiing.

Thanks,

Steve

Julia Moss wrote:

daved wrote:remember you need a reflective vest for EACH occupant

No, that's incorrect, one reflective jacket is compulsory, it's up to you whether you carry more. I can recommend the AA website http://www.theaa.com for motoring advice, they have a comprehensive section on the law for France and other countries.

Hi, I just read the FCO web site which the AA one also links you to

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/europe/france1

So, it's ONE hi-vis but it must be in the passenger compartment (we've got a Relault Scenic, so hopefully in the back is fine - sheesh, this is getting rediculous)

Also, just read that http://www.saneftolling.co.uk/ you can now get the telepeage/tag lanes and pay with a UK bank account, which can work out much quicker when there is a big queue. Will definitely get one of these for next time, as we'll probably be going at half term. That'll confuse them.

We've got one of those in our box of tricks! ... as well as snow chains, a decent torch and some gloves. Putting chains on in the snow can be harder than it sounds, and is much harder than doing on the driveway at home as a practice run. We've also got a paper map in case TomTom lets us down... and a small fold up army type shovel. Fingers crossed we'll never have to use any of this stuff, but it could make a huge difference.
Luckily we've got compartments under the carpet where most of this stuff hides away.
The only other worry is the car brakes coming back DOWN the mountain, as a couple of years ago they where literally smoking at the valley. Not sure what to do about that though, apart from engine braking (although that was in a Chrysler Voyager, so a very heavy car)

Hi,
Is it as bad as the stories I've been hearing? Getting pulled over and having your car confiscated until your hearing, because you have a sat nav with speed camera alerts installed.
They don't seem to be worried about having spare bulbs, but you must have a warning triangle, first aid kit (recommended), fire extinguisher, GB sticker, light diffusers.
... and from July you'll need to bring one (obligatoire) or TWO (recommended) breathalysers.
Anyone actually been pulled over, or is this just anti-french rhetoric??
Thanks,
Steve

Hi,

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UPDATE: Have found a place in Sevenoaks that supplies them. snowchains.co.uk. Not cheap, but gets us out of a pickle.
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Have just tried to put my snow chains on and realised that they don't fit any more. They must have shrunk or something. No, seriously we had the same model of car (Chrsler Grand Voyager) last year, but we hadn't realised the newer one has got much bigger tyres. They are 215/65 R16 so basically 4x4 tyres now.

We're driving down tomorrow, so have left this a little late. We're going to St. Gervais le Bains, near Mt. Blanc.

Do you think we have a good chance of being able to pick up a set from a hypermarket or even just a motorway service station?

Looking at the forecasts I think we're gonna need them.

Very stupid not to check them earlier, but I just assumed they would fit OK. D'Oh!

Steve