Hello, my family and I are traveling from Colmar to Chamonix in December - I am a bit worried about driving in snow/ice, so I was hoping some of you can can give us tips on the best way to get to Chamonix. Is the drive that bad in December?
My husband and daughters are set on going skiing, but I wouldn't mind changing the location. Any nearby alternatives to Chamonix that wouldn't be such a distance to get to?
Recommendations and advise are truly appreciated!
Posted by
New York, NY
1582 posts
Castro - My preference would be to travel by train. Driving a car can be difficult and challenging and a lengthy expensive excursion during winter season. From my knowledge train transportation should be more in line with conformity with exiting lines of public transportation. The link below should shed some light on the matter.
Posted by
Chicago
7880 posts
Go to Andermatt across the border Switzerland
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Look into Annecy nr Chamonix. That way they could ski when conditions are right.
And use the train instead of scary driving.
Posted by
Paris
6916 posts
Contrary to the others, I would not worry at all about the drive to Chamonix. Chamonix sits on a major international highway, the road there is kept clear at all times and is not scary at all coming in from the west. Do go via Geneva though, not via Martigny.
Train is not really an option for that journey, too awkward.
Now, two questions:
-when in December? Snow cover before Christmas has been marginal in recent years.
- if skiing's the goal, why specifically Chamonix? It's hard to get to from Colmar. For a mixed party of skiers and non skiers for a few days I'd recommend Wengen in the Jungfrau, or Engelberg near Luzern.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you for the responses. All suggestions are welcome.
Chamonix is just the place we picked because of it's well known beauty. We plan on being in Chamonix Dec. 30 - Jan. 2.
Posted by
Paris
6916 posts
Have you checked for accommodation availability yet? The New Year is the busiest time of the year in ski resorts and many places are reluctant to accept stays of less than a week.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15591 posts
Other considerations with a car include the legal requirement for chains for mountain driving and the surcharge for high altitude locations.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Yes, I booked hotels in March this year.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thinking of cancelling our stay in Colmar and maybe just making a day trip from Paris - this way we can travel to Chamonix from Paris via Geneva making it an easier train ride. Please let me know about good day trips from Paris!
Thank you to all for your suggestions!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7327 posts
This is almost 5 hours each way. It's not a practical daytrip.
Posted by
Paris
6916 posts
No, Colmar is great, don't cancel!
And really, the drive from Colmar to Chamonix is 100% on the equivalent of US interstate highways (with better road surface), and elevation is less than 1500 ft the whole way until the final climb to Chamonix (itself at 3000 ft), so snow is unlikely. You will need to buy a Swiss motorway sticker at the border, though ($50) - the drive is through Switzerland. And do rent snow chains for peace of mind.
Do consider, however, mountain locations in Switzerland as mentioned above, as they'll be MUCH more convenient from Colmar, and there are some wonderfully scenic places to ski.