 | Home > Expedition & Overland > Ski trip Alps December 2015 - what am I missing? |
 
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| Superchippy Member Since: 18 Aug 2015 Location: Hampshire Posts: 10   
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 Click image to enlarge This was my old td5 she did 2 trips to the Alps, I took snow chains but never needed them, a snow cowel is a good idea and a grill muff also antifreeze that can go realy low, it was minus 28 last time I went. It took a couple of try's to start her after sitting for a week but then drove straight out of 2 foot or snow while everyone else was still digging and putting newspaper under there tyres. Hope you have a good trip. |
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24th Aug 2015 11:05pm |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692 
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Thanks very much for the advice, I am off looking for the snow cowl and grill muff
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25th Aug 2015 6:02am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5765  
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Hello HairySteve,
You seem to have most things covered. In terms of insulation, quite frankly carpet will make f*** all difference if the rest of your 110 isn't insulated. However, if as you say, it will spend most of its time in a garage, most have an ambient temp of approx 7c so it should be perfectly toasty when you get in. Likewise the garage should negate the need for snow cowls, unless you want the 'look' or are planning any outdoor over nighters. Also, remember you'll need super low temp screen wash, so as you approach the holiday get your UK stuff used up and buy a winter version, ideally down to -30/-40c. As regards the chains, remember to practice, practice, practice. You don't want the first time you put them on to be when your in the snow and it is minus 20. Also a head torch will be hugely useful when you're putting them on and want to keep your hands free. In reality, your usage whilst your in Les Arcs will govern what you need. If you genuinely think you will only be doing occasional trips, then you'll need little else beyond what you have suggested. If it could be fairly frequent use, lots of getting in and out etc, then rubber floor mats over the carpet would be highly recommended. Cardboard will be suitable enough for covering the vents if you leave her out overnight. Depending on how you suffer, perhaps some lighter than normal gloves (perhaps liners) as the steering wheel can be fricking freezing to hold on to in the morning if left out overnight. Also, think of your driving clothing, because the Defender's heater is crap. Getting the balance right between warmth and overheating, plus comfort and movement can make a big difference. I use a lightweight down jacket for really cold days, just to take the edge off (as I hate driving hot) and a lightweight gilet on days closer to zero. Mrs Grenadier wraps up in imitation of the Michelin Man. Finally, given you are going to Les Arcs, make sure you have a lightweight sleeping bag or space blanket per passenger. The road from Bourg Saint Maurice to Les Arcs (and also Les Tignes, Val d'Isere etc) can get shut off by the Gendarmes when there is heavy snow fall and you will be required to queue for a few hours, perhaps overnight, whilst it is cleared. As such, something to wrap up in is vital as the Defender heater goes from being crap when moving at speed to utterly useless when static and the interior will quickly drop in temp. I personally, not just because I'm in a Defender (with risk of breaking down ) always carry a spare sleeping bag, plus water, a bit of food and if possible some hot tea/soup. Not normally needed in the Haute Savoie (Cham, Saint Gervais, Morzine etc) but at the higher altitude resorts, with single road access, you'll be the one laughing when an avalanche closes the road for four hours and the queue backs up to Moutiers. Longest I have waited to get up to Val d'Isere was 8hrs. I also have a map of the local area and a phone card. If you're in situ for a number of hours there's no saying your SatNav will hold its charge or that you will have phone signal should you need to call rescue services. If you need to walk anywhere, stick to the roads only, and ensure you have proper footwear. For use in such circumstances, but also just bimbling around Les Arcs, I cannot recommend these YakTrax enough, utterly brilliant and you should all have a pair.
https://www.yaktrax.co.uk But here's why you should have all that kit....a couple of incidents from last year: http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=117683 http://www.lesarcsnet.com/news/more-rock-f...ice-683041 But overall you seem to have it covered with the important 'kit' so no doubt will have a great time!!  Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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25th Aug 2015 8:48am |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692
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Brilliant write up, you have give me more to think about.
Thanks very much for sharing  |
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25th Aug 2015 10:30am |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692
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We start our drive tomorrow late evening, weather is looking like we are going to be getting some fresh snow in Les Arcs
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31st Dec 2015 9:26pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5765
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Steve, there's been rumour and counter-rumour about how much, where, when etc. You never really know until the white stuff arrives. However, I have heard mention of a metre and all-day snow tomorrow, so I would suggest keeping a close eye on the forecast as you get close. Also, have you been to Les Arcs before? It's a bas**rd of a climb in mid-summer, let alone winter. If it is tipping it down the Gendarmes have been known to stop cars in Bourg StM to allow the road to be cleared. So I'd suggest, if the weather is looking 'difficile' to stop in Albertville, pick up some fresh snacks/supplies from the supermarket. There's a 'Casino Geant' right by the motorway. Type in 'Chemin du Chiriac 73200'. Also make sure you and the family/friends have easy access to warm kit. If you're pulled to the side of the road you could be there a couple of hours. But, it looks like a week of snow for you, so enjoy
Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Jan 2016 11:03am |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692
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Thanks very much Monsieur.
Alas this is our 5th drive up to Les Arcs but the first in the defender so am not looking forward to the drive up the mountain  if it is heavy snow. Have plugged in the shop address you just gave me into the old TomTom and have the weather links you gave me last time in my iPad favs so have tho0se covered now.
With it being the end of french school holidays and the weather we are leaving the UK tonight thus giving me loads of extra time but you never know what the day will bring but lets just hope for great snow
Once again thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. |
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1st Jan 2016 1:47pm |
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| Marks Landy Member Since: 09 Feb 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 296 
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i had the fuel filter freeze a couple of time when it got really cold.
Not much fun when servo assisted brakes and power steering die with the engine coming down a steep mountain road. Heated fuel filter and a bottle of Diesel Additives ready for my next trip.  |
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1st Jan 2016 3:53pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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Soft compound snow tyres (not MUDs)
Small Coleman cooker (petrol won't freeze) 24h ration packs Spare washer jet fitting Unlikely to get lower than -20c but if it's constantly in that range, a rocker / airbox breather heater |
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1st Jan 2016 4:39pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816 
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Temperatures remain extremely mild for this time of the year. Les Arcs next week will be small positives in the daytime and barely a few degrees negative at night. But snowing it will.
You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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1st Jan 2016 5:39pm |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692
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Thanks all, excited we are
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1st Jan 2016 6:13pm |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692
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Hello there Monsieur Le Grenadier, just wanted to share how amazing Landy was giong up the mountain today. While others were fitting chains she just lapped it all up and didnt out a foot or tail wrong at all. Not sure if this was because of the recent BAS upgrade but either way she was a gem
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2nd Jan 2016 5:32pm |
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| Hairysteve Member Since: 15 Jun 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 692
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Click image to enlarge |
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3rd Jan 2016 11:15am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5765
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Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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3rd Jan 2016 1:41pm |
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