UK to Milan via the Alps in October: winter or summer tyres?

[rob.e]

As per the title, I'm driving down to Stresa next week which is just north of Milan. I'll hopefully fit in some diversions to some nice Alpine roads on the way down all being well.

I have a set of summer tyres currently on the car, and a set of winters in the shed (already fitted up on a spare set of 18" rims so ready to swap).

I'd normally fit the winters once the uk is below 7 degrees so late November. Given I'm off to the Alps do i fit up the winters early to be safe?

The winters are goodyear performance jobbies in the OE 18" size which are z rated so they shouldn't slow me down on the motorway...

Thoughts?

[Roastie ITR]

I did my euro road trip a few weeks ago, i was quite lucky as a few of the passes were closed a few days before I had to go on them, Stelvio still had snow at the top. Luckily there were no closures for me.

Personally I think you would be taking a chance going on summer tyres in mid October, but then I'm no expert and have never driven through there that time of year.

[Bartz1]

I'm off to Monza 1st week in November, via Spa, the 'Ring and the Stelvio pass (if it's open, any other pass if not...). Hope all goes well with the trip. Good luck!

[Roastie ITR]

Bartz1 said:

I'm off to Monza 1st week in November, via Spa, the 'Ring and the Stelvio pass (if it's open, any other pass if not...). Hope all goes well with the trip. Good luck!

I passed most of these on my trip, in case it is any use for you thought I'd share what I learnt.

I would recommend going down through the Black Forrest in Germany after the Nurburgring, truely awesome roads.

I wouldn't make Stelvio the highlight of your trips to the Alps, the route I took was Grimsel Pass, Furka Pass (these two were the best Alpine roads for me), San Bernardino Pass, Flüela Pass to Stelvio.

Hope it's of some use to you.

[Megaflow]

I wouldn't bother with the pass at all.

We went from the UK to Milan in the first week of October in 2006 and whilst there was no snow, the fog and general weather meant I crawled over the top of St Gottard at ~15mph struggling to see the end of the bonnet.

[Janosh]

I'm still on summer tyres (in Chamonix) and all the passes in the local area are open... I probably won't fit the winter's till November.

Keep your fingers crossed for a sunny day and you'll have a great drive!

[rob.e]

Thanks guys.

Some web sites I've found would indicate Grimsel and Furka passes close in October but no actual dates were specified - these were on my "preferred" route but I could easily swap which way I go based on weather.

Looks like Simplon pass stays open all year round so maybe that's a better route..?

Still not decided 100% on tyres but I think its more likely I'll go with the winters.

[Bartz1]

I'm taking winters, but I am travelling in November. I've heard that the stelvio closes around the 1st week in November but you never know... Is there any car related places to visit in Milan? I'm going to Monza for a track session on the 4th Nov but hopefully should be there on the 3rd.

[rob.e]

Bartz1 said:

I'm taking winters, but I am travelling in November. I've heard that the stelvio closes around the 1st week in November but you never know... Is there any car related places to visit in Milan? I'm going to Monza for a track session on the 4th Nov but hopefully should be there on the 3rd.

Not sure about Milan, but you're not far from brescia (home of the mille miglia - there's a museum there) plus Turin isn't far, home of Fiat - their old factory Lingotto is worth a visit - rooftop test track as per "the italian job" etc.

Maranello is about 2 hrs from Monza so not exactly close but worth a trip if you like ferraris..

[Bartz1]

I was thinking about a visit to the Lamborghini factory/museum's and maybe the Ducati factory at Bologna but as we're there on a weekend the factories might be closed? Like you say, it's only a couple of hours down the road.