Geneva to Avoriaz by hire car in winter: survival tips!

My brothers doing this and he commented the other day he's hiring the car on the Swiss side as they come with snow tyres.

From my experience of fitting (cheap) chains one time, its a major ballache if youre trying to read instructions in a freezing layby and get the bloody things on. And the cheap chains broke after just a few short trips.

Thats about all the help i can give though!

If it’s a Swiss hire car there’ll be chains in the boot and winter tyres-it’s a legal requirement. Not so in France apparently. Doesn’t matter which route you take, A1/A40 via Taninges is the easiest.The big supermarket in Morzine (think it’s the Carrefour) is more than adequate and not at all overpriced. Plenty of parking. Good place to put chains on too if necessary, although I’d be very surprised if you need them. The road to Avoriaz is kept well cleared in all but blizzard conditions. Winter tyres are ace. 

You’ll be fine unless it’s a full on snowstorm. As said above, mandatory winter tyres are sufficient and if you need chains you’ll be stopped and told to put them on. But because it’s one of the main routes to some of the most popular resorts in France the roads are well managed. <br /><br />I really like Avoriaz, it’s not the highest resort nor with the most hardcore terrain (I’m getting too old for that anyway), but it’s good a good mix and outside of peak holidays doesn’t get clogged up. Just be warned that is snow is crap in Morzine then a lot of people head up from there. 

Cheers Paino.  Good point: French side hire car as Swiss side seemed about 3x the price.

Ah, that's a good idea- can let the fam go do that while I do my best Houdini impression with the chains.

That's reassuring as I'd read online that it can often be treacherous - ironic, I want snow but not snow-snow

@ Turbolard [sic] - thanks, then I may just hold off [putting] on the chains at all.  Yeah, I'm in the same space and it's Mrs Idiot and Little idiot's first time so we probably will only ski the village green runs and even then half the time.

@40mpg.  No, that's very helpful, thanks.  I hadn't thought to check if the hire car had snow tyres on then I guess chains are not mandatory (beyond, you know, clinging onto the hairpins in a blizzard).

The green down the golf course is great, nice and long, wide and great views.

Any reason you're not just getting a transfer from the airport? Would save a lot of hassle and probably similar £££ as a hire car you might only use twice in a week. I wouldn't bring chains with you, they're quite particular about what tire sizes they fit. Most bigger supermarkets stock them during the season (Carrefour hypermarket on the edge of Thonon and the bigger one between Morzine and Saint Jean d'Aulps, certainly, or there's Super U in taninges if you go that way and a Casino and Intermarche along the road before you get that far; not sure about the Carrefour in Morzine centre). If it's very snowy and you don't fancy driving up to Avoriaz, could park at Prodains and jump on the lift there, then hire one of the horse-and-sleighs up to the reception area at the top of the village

I *think* a Swiss car won't get French speeding tickets

I think some of you may have been quite lucky. I lived in the area for a while and the road to Avoriaz quite often had police checks and people fitting chains,  didn’t see that often on the first part of the road to Les/ Gets and Morzine. The first Winter I was there there was a lot of snow. At that time it was quite common to park by the cable car at Les Prodains and use that to get to Avoriaz as you don’t really need a car up there. I assume you have checked the parking situation.

ISTR that the road up was shut one year when we were there. 

This is the 3rd year (or 2nd enforceable year) of the new winter driving equipment laws in france that each Mayor has decided applies or not to their commune. ... All the communes you will be going through will have signed up to it so to speak... so..that means winter tyres, 4 season tyres or chains must be available to legally use the vehicle in that commune. ...this also includes the commune where you are hiring the car from. See here: https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chacun-son-mode-de-deplacement/dangers-de-la-route-en-voiture/equipement-de-la-voiture/nouveaux .

Think you mean the D884? It kind of works....The more logical route to avoid buying a swiss motorway vignette is to head round to the s side of the lake to Thonon and then up to Morzine via. St. Jean d'Aulps.  There's a carrefour just before Thonon near Anthy. I've driven between the lake and Morine lots and it's a gorge based road...it might actually remove the chances of getting stuck in traffic..Different winter risks to the other route: think dark gorge rather than mopuntain switchbacks. . It's a fairly well used route for the Genevois heading in that drection.

@tfelotthgir. Yes, the wife negotiated it as she doesn't want to go skiing really so didn't want a coach.  I booked it way out so there wasn't alot in it price wise but will see how it lines up now and what my canx options are, then maybe reopen conversations.  Thanks re: Prodains, we're close to that lift so that would work and while I have underground parking booked already if it's dodgy I'll defo do that

@Skippy/FB-ATB.  Noted, I won't be risking anything for the sake of an extra £100 so will Prodains it at the slightest sight of struggle. I'm taking the logic of prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

@mugsys.

winter tyres/chains - oh right, I declined the offer to pay extra from the hire car place with the thinking they'll probably have one/both already.  I won't leave Geneva without one/both.

route - Ooo, will check that route out - thanks.  My only logic was to go the route I've driven before (up from Cluses) but from what you're saying if snow is heavy I may not even get much further than that.

...thank you by the way, to everyone - I appreciate your words.

I always go out of Geneva through Annemasse to Taninges on the D907, but the motorway is good as well.

Super U in Taninges is big, cheaper than smaller local supermarkets and usually has some of the cheapest fuel around. It also sell snow chains/socks if you still need them.

Once you get there you will enjoy it, has some good pistes and some good places to eat.

Few years back I took a hire car from Turin to Briancon, unknown to me it didn't have winter additive in the diesel so waxed after I let it sit overnight in resort. Easy fix was to fill up locally in resort but it was perplexing for a while

I imagine it's colder in Geneva than Turin so probably not an issue but worth knowing

I doubt avoriaz will be so snowey at christmas you can't get through on winter tyres that come on it. Its not particularly high, and thats early enough in the season that most of the french cant be arsed. Last winter les gets was still running its bike park in december

@ads678. That's perfect, thank you

@skippy. Thanks, I had actually forgot I was meant to be enjoying it too - my mindset goes into Holiday Host mode worrying that the family are safe and have a good time.

@Kormoran. Wow, hadn't even thought about that. Like you say, unlikely but would confuse the hell out of me so great to know.

@5lab. I now don't know whether I'm worried about too much or too little snow!

I'd look into a transfer personally, especially as you're going for a week. It would solve your chains dilemma at the expense of likely more expensive food shopping in the village. We drive out to the Gran Massif every year, the car gets winter tyres and we have socks rather than chains. Much easier to put on and surprisingly good when we needed them.

In over 15 years of ski trips driving between Geneva and various ski stations in the Alps, you are over thinking this.  We've had all sorts of road conditions from sheet ice to deep snow and never struggled getting where we needed to be.  If the forecast is bad, just plan to allow some extra time for your journey particularly on the way home when you have a flight to catch, but generally, the French really are efficient at keeping things moving.

We always have hired from the Swiss side of the airport.  Cars always come fully equipped with winter tyres and chains.  Only ever had to use the chains once.  But as chains are a total pain to put on if you've never done it before, particularly in a blizzard and when its below freezing, always best to learn how to do it somewhere warmer first.  Snow socks are a far easier method to get you out of trouble than chains, and yes they really do work well.

We generally break up the journey for supermarket shopping somewhere around Annecy.  Also there are lots of roadside bakeries at various roundabouts between Geneva and the French Alps.  Some of the cakes are out of this world.

Oh and if you do get a hire car, try and go for a manual if possible as I find that if things do get difficult, it gives me much more control over what the driven wheels are doing.  No surprise down shifts for example.

Lovely cruisy skiing through the middle of Avoriaz served by nice chairs back up through the village. If they get good enough ski down for lunch at Les Marmottes in Lindarets. It's great.

For the sake of all your sanity get a transfer minibus, bonkers driving there.

Thanks, if I hire car I'm kind of commited to a French rental as it cost me £150 for the 9 days hire and will now be over £500.  I've also got £115 sunk cost of parking.  Shared transfer is £400 incl Prodains.

I'm going to drive it [slowly] and will let you all know if I regret it! 🙂

Socks sound good, I'll go that route given the option.

it's easy enough to cut straight through Geneva - depending on what time you're getting there - can obviously be a challenge at the usual times. Drive out the French side of the airport straight onto the big roundabout over the m-way and head towards central geneva - literally don't come off that road and you'll get to the lake - bear right on the 1 and follow it all the way out of town until you go through the border and it drops you at the A40 junction at Annemasse. Then A40 to Cluses & over the hill, or head over to the valley road and go through the villages on the D907. Enormous Hypermarket (and Lidl) near the A40 junction too.

You are over thinking the situation drivinup to avoriaz is ok all the main roads will be clean and if you dont feel comfortable get out at prodains. To be honest with snow tures the only place you might need chains is ro get out of your parking spot the tyres are ace.

think as brita we have a mentality of a few mm of snow brings us to a standstill. Would need to be biblical snow to close a ski resort

Take your old washing up gloves and a headtorch for fitting chains or socks. It can be a messy business.

@ffati. Fair, going for forewarned-is-forearmed. Some really good points in here I'd not considered so I'm glad I asked. It's interesting the range of responses!

@chaos. Cheers, was thinking also a plastic sheet as there seems to be a bit of laying down in the YouTube vids.

Ffati - no one said the ski resort would be closed, but it is a fact that conditions can change quickly even in December. If the snow comes down faster than the plough can clear then the roads can get interesting even when they are doing their best to clear them. There are also laws to consider in France they are there to prevent the roads getting blocked with cars that can’t move, you have to carry chains and they do check.  Unfortunately even though it sounds pessimistic you have to plan for that as it can and does happen.
The OP is not overthinking he is just asking questions.

Im not saying you dont need to plan back of the van/car have chains plus both have winter tyres. Im well aware of laws in france,was in alp d’huez over easter and it pissed it down with snow was coming down quicker than a plough could keep up but its ok even in a rear wheel drive long wheel base sprinter.

just think as brits we have a major fear of snow and most of the time worst part is getting out of car parks.

Not sure about rentals on the French side but we rented this summer on the Swiss side and a Vignette was included - I'm pretty sure all rental companies include one at no extra cost

youll be fine, I've spent 5 winters in the Alps and it's rare to meet conditions that will completely stop you for long. Even in some hidden away valleys the plough has been through very quickly.

As others have said, getting out of parking areas can be the hardest issue and i have used my av shovel a few times.

If you get stuck you probably won't be the only one, in my experience strangers have always been willing to help. I even had an Italian guy show me how to fix my chains the first time as I was struggling.

Presumably you'll be driving on the weekend changeover days? It could be busy. Check the snow forecast and give plenty of time if it's looking iffy.

Think about where you park if it's long term. Ideally it will be flat so you can park in gear with no handbrake in case it freezes on. Pain in the arse to sort while the locals are telling you you're an idiot cos you put the handbrake on😭

Obviously lift the wipers off the screen so you can pretend nonchalantly that you're an old hand at this winter driving lark

Lastly, it's better to put chains on earlier and somewhere safe and not need them, rather than 100m short of the col in a whiteout. Ask me how I know🤓🤓

Swiss speeding tickets do catch up with French hire cars. Plus an admin charge from Car Hire Co.

Holding off putting chains on is a bad idea, it rarely gets better, especially if you are going uphill, it's likely you will need to go down at some point, you will want chains for that. don't be the have a go hero that thinks their driving prowess will overcome surface friction and gravity and leave you blocking the road...

Socks are rubbish on ice, despite what they tell you on the blurb. Chains are rubbish on tarmac though. Winter or all seasons are great for most situations.

Thread on SH regarding options.

https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=166634

Some of the above is based on first hand experience and subsequent embarrassment and cost.

I'd book taxis, I think you'l find it cheaper and less hassle.