Chamonix to Cervinia

Has anyone experience of driving this route in winter?

We are in Chamonix for a w/c 8/3 and want a day out to Cervinia (along with
Flaine and Courmayeur). The sat-nav says 1 hour 15 minutes through the MB
tunnel, but what is the route really like?

Any advice whilst there would be appreciated, or even suggestions not to
bother and other places to try.

Thanks............Mike

"Mike Mather" wrote in message
...
Has anyone experience of driving this route in winter?

We are in Chamonix for a w/c 8/3 and want a day out to Cervinia (along
with Flaine and Courmayeur). The sat-nav says 1 hour 15 minutes through
the MB tunnel, but what is the route really like?

Any advice whilst there would be appreciated, or even suggestions not to
bother and other places to try.

Thanks............Mike




Can't comment on the route, but Courmayeur is just a few minutes from the
other side of the tunnel, and well worth a day's visit from Chamonix. Did
this just last week, in fact. Snow quality, in particular, was excellent,
and the new gondola is very impressive. The tunnel toll, though, is over 40?
for each return trip and Courmayeur is only included on the full 'Unlimited'
Mont Blanc lift pass.

Sounds like things could get pricey...

Either way, enjoy.

RM
www.mountainpassions.com - an Online Magazine with Altitude

On 1 Feb, 18:23, "Mike Mather"
wrote:
Has anyone experience of driving this route in winter?

We are in Chamonix for a w/c 8/3 and want a day out to Cervinia (along with
Flaine and Courmayeur). The sat-nav says 1 hour 15 minutes through the MB
tunnel, but what is the route really like?

Any advice whilst there would be appreciated, or even suggestions not to
bother and other places to try.

Thanks............Mike


I'd aim to ski in Courmayeur one day and drive to Cervinia for an
Italian night out before having a full day there. Only one tunnel toll
and I reckon Cervinia is around 2 hours from Chamonix. For Flaine stop
in Les Carroz, free parking at the Telecabine and then its 3 lifts and
2 runs to Flaine ( 2 and 2 back). You'll save 20 minutes or more on
the drive and avoid the parking hassle in Flaine. |
Have fun.

On 3 Feb, 17:02, wrote:
On 1 Feb, 18:23, "Mike Mather"
wrote:

Has anyone experience of driving this route in winter?

We are in Chamonix for a w/c 8/3 and want a day out to Cervinia (along with
Flaine and Courmayeur). The sat-nav says 1 hour 15 minutes through the MB
tunnel, but what is the route really like?

Any advice whilst there would be appreciated, or even suggestions not to
bother and other places to try.

Thanks............Mike

I'd aim to ski in Courmayeur one day and drive to Cervinia for an
Italian night out before having a full day there. Only one tunnel toll
and I reckon Cervinia is around 2 hours from Chamonix. For Flaine stop
in Les Carroz, free parking at the Telecabine and then its 3 lifts and
2 runs to Flaine ( 2 and 2 back). You'll save 20 minutes or more on
the drive and avoid the parking hassle in Flaine. |
Have fun.

It's motorway for at least a decent bit through the Aosta valley.

It would be astonishing if the entire route was not clear of snow
unless there had been a very recent fall in which case you can
stay at Cham instead: -)

People need to get there for them to make money.

google maps, via michelin, RAC, others will tell you
how far the motorway goes.

On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 07:23:29 -0800 (PST), in
,
wrote:

On 3 Feb, 17:02, wrote:
On 1 Feb, 18:23, "Mike Mather"
wrote:

Has anyone experience of driving this route in winter?

We are in Chamonix for a w/c 8/3 and want a day out to Cervinia (along with
Flaine and Courmayeur). The sat-nav says 1 hour 15 minutes through the MB
tunnel, but what is the route really like?

I'd aim to ski in Courmayeur one day and drive to Cervinia for an
Italian night out before having a full day there. Only one tunnel toll
and I reckon Cervinia is around 2 hours from Chamonix.

It's motorway for at least a decent bit through the Aosta valley.

It would be astonishing if the entire route was not clear of snow
unless there had been a very recent fall in which case you can
stay at Cham instead: -)

You're right - the road will be guaranteed open aside from the most
exceptional circumstances, such as would close all the roads. As you
say, it's motorway all the way from the tunnel to around Chatilon,
then perhaps a half-hour drive up to Breuil/Cervinia. Not done this
last bit, but I have taken the next valley up to Gressoney, and I know
that a round trip between the two takes something less than two
hours[1], so about a half-hour up, and down, each valley.

And yes, it's a simple enough road with no real likelihood of
problems.

People need to get there for them to make money.

google maps, via michelin, RAC, others will tell you
how far the motorway goes.

And they seem to confirm my gut feeling. FWIW I've always found their
timings pretty accurate for driving to and from resorts, perhaps
allowing a little more time than it actually takes me in the event.


[1] Cos someone had to do it to pick up one of our party who came down
the lift into Cervinia, minus one ski, while the rest of us skiied all
the way home to Gressoney.
[2] Lost in a crevasse.

On Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:41:42 +0100, Ace wrote:

[1] Cos someone had to do it to pick up one of our party who came down
the lift into Cervinia, minus one ski, while the rest of us skiied all
the way home to Gressoney.
[2] Lost in a crevasse.

Wasn't some idiot's pocket rocket, was it? :-)

--
-Pip

On Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:44:47 GMT, in
, Pip Luscher
wrote:

On Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:41:42 +0100, Ace wrote:

[1] Cos someone had to do it to pick up one of our party who came down
the lift into Cervinia, minus one ski, while the rest of us skiied all
the way home to Gressoney.
[2] Lost in a crevasse.

Wasn't some idiot's pocket rocket, was it? :-)

Hoho. No, anyway, that was dropping off a cliff, not finding a
crevasse. Get it right.