Alpine passes in May

[White Cloud]

I've done significant mileage in Europe over the years, but not as early as 5th May onwards for 9 days. I could use your advice as to the state of the high passes at this time of year.

I know the official line is that they usually open end June or even mid July, but does anyone have experience of using them in early May on a bike.

I also realise that conditions can change within minutes. I've had a foot of snow on top of the Grimsel in 20 minutes in mid July on previous trip.

I have in mind all of the obvious routes, eg Timmeljoch and Grossglockner, Oberalp, Furka and Grimsel etc.

Will be via Monza for the WSB and around Dolomites before Austria, Switzerland, Bavaria, Mosel and home.

Any relevant experience and especially with piccies greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

The snow came late this year ... Feb before there was bucket loads . However it has been warm for two to three weeks, so the snow in going fast ... and skiing is crap (you only have to look at Prince Charles foto session at Klosters)

However, it has now turned to the seasons norm, and it will be cold up top at night. You will NOT get over any passes higer that 2000m in May, unless they are main / only routes. So sorry to piss on you chips ...

www.alpineroads.com has current status, it is updated regularly and it is acccurate ...

 

[RadioActive]

I've just come back from ski-touring in the Briancon area and can confirm that the snow level is pretty high for the time of year - looked like summer in places so we gave up early

As an example, the col de Isoard road has thin snow & ice on the northern side for a few kms to the top and no snow on the southern side according to a bloke I met at the col who'd walked up it. The problem is that on the cols we went near they closed the roads a long way back from the start of the actual snow so there won't be any "self clearing" by traffic. In past years we've usually been able to drive up as far as we wanted/could. I suspect they won't open them to traffic until the usual dates to avoid the risk of having to clear the road again if there's a late dump of snow.

I just hope that I don't find all the snow I should have been skiing on recently in the Alps down in the Pyrenees in May when I'm there on the GS

 

[sven]

The Grossglockener was open in April last year, but it was closing temporarily due to a blizzard as we passed over it at the end of May.

The Stelvio opened about two days after we set off home on 4 June and the Timmelsjoch was still closed due to a landslide.

Best to keep an eye on www.alpineroads.com as mentioned above as it's pretty accurate.

 

[Fanum]

We found passes unpassable and closed in May as well........in fact, it was the middle of may.

Check the web sites for info before you set off each day.

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

Grimsel / Furka and Sustan were all impassable until 2nd w/e june ...

I know, cos I tried !!

 

[steady away]

quite a few of the passes have web camc on the top so have a look before you go

 

[Global Rider]

Depends on the winter they've had.

I'm there every June and have yet to come across a pass closed due to snow.

 

[panterrob]

I've done significant mileage in Europe over the years, but not as early as 5th May onwards for 9 days. I could use your advice as to the state of the high passes at this time of year.

I know the official line is that they usually open end June or even mid July, but does anyone have experience of using them in early May on a bike.

Hello,

I'm going on 07 Mai to the Dolomites. We planned to go over the Timmelsjoch, but this pass isn't open until begin of June.

I've found a good site for pass information (all the Alps and more), but it is in german.
This is the site;
http://www.toureninfo.de/frameseite.htm (= regionalkarten)

If You hit the small squares (near the Pass names, You will find a lot of information over passes, also opening time (something like this ; Geöffnet von/bis).
Another site is official Austrian;
http://www.oeamtc.at/alpenpaesse/
Also in german

We are only 08 and 09 Mai in the Dolomites (far to short off course) and we travel right from Bolzano;
Sella, Pordoi, etc.

What does youre bike look like ?
Mine is a 1150GS (with a Tobinated ADV screen (low)) and a blue white 30 lt tank.
My collegue is driving a greenish Yamaha FJR 1300.

Maybe we se each other;

My mobile number is 0031 6 28273143.

Have a good and save trip.

Cheers,

 

[panterrob]

We found passes unpassable and closed in May as well........in fact, it was the middle of may.

Which pass was where this photo was made ?

Cheers,

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

The passes seem to be opening up quite quickly ... it was 32° here yesterday. Above about 1800 m there is still snow.... but the higher passes are still closed ... they don't exactly hurry to get them open ...

 

[sven]

The Grossglockner's now open and the Stelvio was looking remarkably clear the other day when I checked, although not yet open.

http://www.alpineroads.com/passstatus.php