Just back from Chamonix Forums

alunj

Wales -> Dover had to go north round the M25 as it was closed at J5 causing chaos, Overnight at Dover Patrol, nice spot Smile

24 quid crossing sea france in the morning.
Drove to Aire du Jura on the A35 I think , had a peaceful night with about 20 other camping cars. From Aire du jura to chamonix about 3 hrs and met by over a meter of fresh snow and -15C
Parked up at Le tour for the week (free Smile

)
managed the week on 20kgs of gas and 2x 80Ah batteries. It was -10 and below most nights, will post some pics of the van with amazing icicles on it.
Had a great week Skiing in the best march conditions I have ever seen.

Journy back, Chamonix -> Aire Urvilliers on the autoroute (nice and quiet no problems and i did'nt get gassed Wink

)

Next day Dover - Wales Total miles 1800 , average fuel consumption 25odd mpg in the Starline 680 .

therising

Also just back from our trip to Val Thorens - first time we have used the MH for a winter holiday so a bit unsure what to expect.

Learning points as follows...

1) I looked at snowchains before we went, but then got distracted and never bought any... Big Mistake! Fortunately my brother was traveling with us and his Land Rover Discovery TDV6 came to the rescue! Will definitely buy some for next time - has anyone any experience of the fabric 'sock' type ones or are they a waste of time?

2) Didn't have time to instal a second leisure battery, and the existing one wasn't up to the job, would only last a few hours before needing to run the engine for a few minutes to recharge. Think that two new leisure batteries are now on my shopping list!

3) In spite of a few problems such as those mentioned above, we were 2 minutes away from the first run / lift, paid around £70 for our weeks 'accommodation' - my brother and his wife paid over £500 for their apartment! - we had plenty of heat and hot water, loved every minute of it, learnt some valuable lessons, made a list of things to do / buy / improve / mend etc. before next time and can't wait for our 'big trip' in June!!

Will try and attach a picture of the van in the snow!

alunj

I have snow tyres and chains, rud do a good chain for around 100 useful for getting out of mud etc too.
All season/snow tyres were my fave buy though. Really help a lot here when on wet grass etc. My mate has also fitted the same to hist FWD van and is also very happy.

Pics here, adding more tomorrow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alunjuk/tags/chamonix/

btw the sock type things didnt work at all, I tried them on the Boxster and it still wouldnt move. I ended up with spikes spiders for that , they do work.

pneumatician

We visit Chamonix most years but when we hope it will be warm and sunny. Usually camp in the site opposite the Hospital. Although the serious walking etc is beyond us now we still like to talk to the walkers and climbers and go for the daily amble.

Steve

geraldandannie · Moderator

Hampshireman

You lot make me sick!

Only because I didn't get to ski this year. Never done Chamonix but covered just about all the other decent high ones in Swi, Aus, It and Fr.

We couldn't use our little van anyway so forced to rough it in decent chalets or hotels.

Will be calling at Chamonix on way back from Italy in June.

Cheers

rupert123

trek

Hi all

I am interested in ALANJ's use of winter tyres

Do you run on them all year or change back to normal tyres in the summer?

what make do you use for your Mercedes and do you use a second set of wheels or get a tyre place swop them for you?

what are they like on wet slippery grass camp sites?

BR

Batch

Alan etc Please send me write up/pics etc of Chamonix and Val Thorens to improve the website

asprn

Alan,

Chamonix is one of our very favourite places. We've only ever gone in the summer as we don't ski, but we intend to take the RV around this time of year when I give the work lark in a couple of years.

Anyone have any experience of taking an RV to Chamonix? We've o