Swiss Alpine Passes
Discussion
Final planning stages of our tour through to the Swiss Alps and down into Italy, for this May half term.
It's touch and go whether the high passes will be open at that time of year, and I have found this very helpful website, with opening dates:
https://alpen-paesse.ch/en/
The question is, has anyone got experience of crossing these passes early in the summer season?
We'll be in my Jaguar XKR on summer tyres and no chains, so the worry is that even if it's indicated as open, it will require the car to be winter equipped.
Will there still be snow on the road?
It's a very long detour, to make your way towards the peak, only to be turned around.
Specific dates:
29th May: Grimsel pass, Furka pass, Gottard pass.
2nd June: Grand St Bernard pass, Col de la Forclaz.
It's touch and go whether the high passes will be open at that time of year, and I have found this very helpful website, with opening dates:
https://alpen-paesse.ch/en/
The question is, has anyone got experience of crossing these passes early in the summer season?
We'll be in my Jaguar XKR on summer tyres and no chains, so the worry is that even if it's indicated as open, it will require the car to be winter equipped.
Will there still be snow on the road?
It's a very long detour, to make your way towards the peak, only to be turned around.
Specific dates:
29th May: Grimsel pass, Furka pass, Gottard pass.
2nd June: Grand St Bernard pass, Col de la Forclaz.
mr pg said:
Passes can be closed very late dependant upon snow season. When we went in 2019 one pass was still closed a week before we left (beginning of July). You can only check nearer the date for certain.
Yeah thanks, I'm prepared for them to be closed, and I can check day-to-day and plan accordingly.What I want to know is; if they're open, might they nonetheless be impassable for me on summer tyres?
The answer is almost certainly - YES. They could be open, but only if you've got chains.
See here - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/en/thehighalpinero...
Not Swiss, but it's definitely an Alpine pass.
Last week, this was showing green for all 4 categories - all open, no chains required.
Today (11th May) it's totally closed for bicycles and motorcycles. It's open for cars and coaches, but chains are required. Actually, I've just clicked refresh and now it's totally closed, but 1 hour ago it was open for cars and coaches with chains.
We're supposed to be staying in a "hotel" at the top on Tuesday of next week. I'll check just before we leave Salzburg on the Tuesday AM, and we may need to re-route and find another hotel for the Tuesday night. All part of the fun.
See here - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/en/thehighalpinero...
Not Swiss, but it's definitely an Alpine pass.
Last week, this was showing green for all 4 categories - all open, no chains required.
Today (11th May) it's totally closed for bicycles and motorcycles. It's open for cars and coaches, but chains are required. Actually, I've just clicked refresh and now it's totally closed, but 1 hour ago it was open for cars and coaches with chains.
We're supposed to be staying in a "hotel" at the top on Tuesday of next week. I'll check just before we leave Salzburg on the Tuesday AM, and we may need to re-route and find another hotel for the Tuesday night. All part of the fun.
omniflow said:
The answer is almost certainly - YES. They could be open, but only if you've got chains.
See here - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/en/thehighalpinero...
Not Swiss, but it's definitely an Alpine pass.
Last week, this was showing green for all 4 categories - all open, no chains required.
Thanks that's very helpful.See here - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/en/thehighalpinero...
Not Swiss, but it's definitely an Alpine pass.
Last week, this was showing green for all 4 categories - all open, no chains required.
I've ordered a pair of snow socks for the Jag, in the offchance that this might avoid some frustration.
Of course I know the weather will be in the lap of the gods.
I think it's going to be borderline. The Susten usually opens mid June. but the Gotthard and Grimsel should open a couple of weeks earlier
I drove over the Julier last night after taking my daughter back to school. It was snowing at the top but 0.5 temperatures but it wasn't settling. The Albula was supposed to be open but my wife tried it on Saturday and it was closed. That was potentially though due to the evacuation of Brienz, the village where they're expecting a huge rock fall which is close to the Albula road.
The ones that you mention, especially the around the susten / grimsel loop are my favourite passes. We're at a similar sort of height to Adermatt in that area and the weather forecast is cool and rain for the next week. That might clear the snow, it might fall as snow on the top, or it might de-stabilise the snow and massively increasing the risk of avalanches. We saw a big avalanche which must have descended about 700m last weekend. Unlike the avalanches earlier in the year the wet ones now bring down lots more rocks and trees - you certainly wouldn't want to be near one and the Swiss won't open the roads if there is a risk.
The only advice I have is to keep an eye on that site you mentioned. It's what us locals would use.
I drove over the Julier last night after taking my daughter back to school. It was snowing at the top but 0.5 temperatures but it wasn't settling. The Albula was supposed to be open but my wife tried it on Saturday and it was closed. That was potentially though due to the evacuation of Brienz, the village where they're expecting a huge rock fall which is close to the Albula road.
The ones that you mention, especially the around the susten / grimsel loop are my favourite passes. We're at a similar sort of height to Adermatt in that area and the weather forecast is cool and rain for the next week. That might clear the snow, it might fall as snow on the top, or it might de-stabilise the snow and massively increasing the risk of avalanches. We saw a big avalanche which must have descended about 700m last weekend. Unlike the avalanches earlier in the year the wet ones now bring down lots more rocks and trees - you certainly wouldn't want to be near one and the Swiss won't open the roads if there is a risk.
The only advice I have is to keep an eye on that site you mentioned. It's what us locals would use.
Thanks for the info chandrew.
I was surprised to see on the website that the Gottard pass is due to open this Wednesday (although I accept the Tremola bit won't be open).
Being quite a major road, at least if they can keep that open I can get south without using the Gottard tunnel.
Both Grimsel and Furka and now scheduled to open 26th May, weather permitting.
For some reason, I had thought the Susten pass would open ealier, but I see there's no chance that will be open. So a long detour to Lucern required.
Last resort will be the Simplon pass, via Col de Mosses, around to Visp/Brig etc.
Change of subject: I've enjoyed some cracking late season off piste at Andermatt.
It'll be fun to visit the region in the 'summer'.
I was surprised to see on the website that the Gottard pass is due to open this Wednesday (although I accept the Tremola bit won't be open).
Being quite a major road, at least if they can keep that open I can get south without using the Gottard tunnel.
Both Grimsel and Furka and now scheduled to open 26th May, weather permitting.
For some reason, I had thought the Susten pass would open ealier, but I see there's no chance that will be open. So a long detour to Lucern required.
Last resort will be the Simplon pass, via Col de Mosses, around to Visp/Brig etc.
Change of subject: I've enjoyed some cracking late season off piste at Andermatt.
It'll be fun to visit the region in the 'summer'.
Slightly OT, about 15 years ago I was in the area with a pal & we convoyed up the Furka to watch the sun rise on midsummers day when I slowed down unexpectedly to Mike's surprise. A dopey bear ambled in front of me. A memorable drive for the spectacular sunrise, the towering walls of snow, empty twisty roads (it was 3am) and the close encounter with Paddington.
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