Winter tyres and driving to La Rosiere

I know it will have been asked before but I'm driving to La Rosiere this year (december 26th) our first trip to the resort and our first winter trip in the car, I have driven the journey during the summer but this is going to be different. We will have snow chains but the question is with this being our only trip to the alps this year by car, are winter tyres worth the cost for the trip?

Regulars will know that I am a trenchant proponent of getting winter tyres, and always reply when this comes up. I myself made plenty of trips to the Alps in summer tyres with no problem, but counted myself lucky. Once I switched to winter tyres, there were ate least three journeys when I don't how I would have coped and indeed, saw plenty of GB and NL cars stuck in quite moderate conditions.

The issue is that chains are principally for extreme conditions, when a car with winter tyres has to negotiate steep slopes, ice or very deep snow. The rest of the time, winter tyres will be fine in 90% of situations where typical summer tyres will be just hopeless. With most mainland European cars, and most Alpine locals carrying winter tyres, you're at a disadvantage: they'll be able to drive in conditions where you are starting to lose control, and you won't necessarily have time or opportunity to stop and change to chains. And in mixed tarmac/snow what are you going to do?

Finally, bear in mind that winter tyres are good for the UK as well. You get a benefit in shorter braking at temperatures under 7C - which is the case for at least 3 months in Britain.

noddyh wrote:are winter tyres worth the cost for the trip?

Yes. Absolutely no doubt whatsoever.

What Msej449 said +100.

With winter tyres you may find your chains remain unused. The road up to La Rosiere is not a place to be in winter on the wrong tyres.

We drove out before Xmas last year and wouldn't have got much further than Calais on summer tyres - it was chucking snow down the whole way.

And remember, the "cost" of winter tyres is marginal anyway - it comes down to the cost of having your local fitter change the tyres over. Buying a spare set of steel wheels, for your winter tyres, makes life a lot easier but also potentially saves your alloys from all that winter ****! 8)

One thing - get your winter tyres now, before the weather turns cold in the UK (and, as Msej449 said, you'll have more grip in the UK too).

Just to add to the other replies. I too have been a virtual fan of winter tyres for use in the UK, and this year have purchased a set of wheels and tyres ready to go on once the temperature drops a bit more.

I expect them to be on from mid November to nearly Easter, and if we get any weather like last year, I will be the envy of everyone I know :twisted:

I did a lot of research on the subject, and they have progressed massively in recent years. A simple google search will demonstrate the benefits of getting yourself a set of tyres for the colder months.

As Admin says, you should get on the case soon as once it gets colder demand will increase massively.

Our household has been driving to the Alps 2x a winter since 1992. Never owned Winter Tyres, never got stuck, rarely used chains. Now on Intermediates since 2005, never used chains on them either. I do know that road grip using Intermediate Tyres is reduced in warm weather, as I've experienced it.

you don't have to have them but I would ..according to all the tests the advantages are manifold and they are not that expensive I've just paid £100 for 2

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html

Thanks for the prompt answers. I guess Im looking for a set of winter tyres. No point risking the second most expensive item most of us ever buy just for the sake of 4 new tyres, not to forget whats inside the car.

Thanks

Noddyh

maybe a tip, before you spent all your budget to expensive topmark tyres (or cheap ass tyres who have no grip on ice and snow):

Why don't you rent winter tyres?
Here, in Holland we rent them for about 100euro's a week, and it's cheaper than buying a set..