When an alpine pass says closed until - Is that defo

Wreford Miles

Wreford Miles

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Several of the roads on the RDGA are closed due to I assume snow however google maps gives a closed until date which varies, some are lat May this one is June 15th

My question is do any of these roads open earlier than the date stated

Thanks

IMG_0961.jpeg
 
Probably be shut for repairs and resurfacing too at some point.
 
it's seasonal guidance based off the weather expectations. Whilst you can plan it into your route, i'd also make sure your detour/alternative route is not a long way around.
 
I never believe a road is closed unless I have ridden it. Majority of times I get through and have even been waved through by the workers.
 
Col diseran is currently under 10 metres of snow
It’s not the roadworks that cause the issue it’s the difficulty of shifting that huge volume of snow
I’ve been there in late june and it’s open but you’re riding through a deep cutting thru snow and road is running with melt water
It’s a great road to ride but a long return if you ignore the road closure signs on the off chance!
 
That road must be quite close to the Val d'Isere glacier - check the watercourses shown on the map - so snow is unlikely to recede until well into the summer.
 
My plans currently have me passing through Val-d’Isere on the 10th June taking the RDGA south!

I can see some alternative routes but even they are showing closed till late May
 
Wreford Miles said:
My plans currently have me passing through Val-d’Isere on the 10th June taking the RDGA south!

I can see some alternative routes but even they are showing closed till late May
Click to expand...

you need much optimism to go over any French or Swiss pass over 2000m in the first half of June, especially after recent snow dumps.
 
June is always a risky month for the RDGA . I always go in September or early October.
 
Greg Masters said:
@ChasMill
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I was in Tignes / Val d'Isere the week before last. I arrived on Tuesday. The previous Thursday had such a huge dump of snow, Tignes was put under effective martial law, with residents confined indoors until 15.00 and then from 22.00. This didn't stop one person venturing out and being killed.

Photos from yesterday show that is still snowing heavily. Global warming is a bitch (or do we now refer to "climate change"?)

The only way to ascertain if the passes are open is on the day / week before. Can't see how a date can be attributed far in advance, unless there is a massive snow clearance project planned (like on the Glossknockner).
 
You'll just have to have plans B, C and D based on the days weather (bearing in mind that at 2600m+ they've had snow in July and had to divert TdF routing due to it)
 
Davey B said:
You'll just have to have plans B, C and D based on the days weather (bearing in mind that at 2600m+ they've had snow in July and had to divert TdF routing due to it)
Click to expand...
It’s seems plan A, the RDGA followed by The Route Napoleon is off

Plan B would be a heavily compromised 1st part of the RDGA to Briancon

Plan C set off a week later and do the trip in reverse so the last leg is Briancon North but even then it seems some passes might still be shut!

Plan D when getting of the ferry at Cherbourg head SW to the Pyrenees and do this route, maybe be in each direction.

Decision making factors - It’s an investment to make a trip like this and I want to drive great roads so compromising on the route should not happen

All the above inputs have been very helpful IMG_0970.jpeg
 
Those are seasonal closures.
Even in June it will really depend on weather, as suggested keep alternatives ready.

This is near the crossing to Italy (Frejus) a few weeks ago just on good Friday. Lower altitude routes all clean, but all the passes are closed (as it is normally).
Same route in December was sans-snow.

IMG_0116.jpg

I do have a slightly alternative route for this bit you are showing above, let me fish it out from BC...
 
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Wreford Miles said:
It’s seems plan A, the RDGA followed by The Route Napoleon is off

Plan B would be a heavily compromised 1st part of the RDGA to Briancon

Plan C set off a week later and do the trip in reverse so the last leg is Briancon North but even then it seems some passes might still be shut!

Plan D when getting of the ferry at Cherbourg head SW to the Pyrenees and do this route, maybe be in each direction.

Decision making factors - It’s an investment to make a trip like this and I want to drive great roads so compromising on the route should not happen

All the above inputs have been very helpful View attachment 407835
Click to expand...
With regard to Plan D, I’d be inclined to ride across in Spain as accommodation and food/drinks will be half the price of those in France . Plus you can ride the length of the N260, one of the finest roads in Europe.
 
Wreford Miles said:
My plans currently have me passing through Val-d’Isere on the 10th June taking the RDGA south!

I can see some alternative routes but even they are showing closed till late May
Click to expand...

Chat GPT ;
“in 2025, the pass is scheduled to open on Friday, June 13.
In 2018, the Col de l’Iseran opened on Friday, June 5, following a winter with less snowfall . Such early openings are exceptions rather than the norm.”
Last time , riding RDGA, the pass was closed on 6’th June , but very nearly open and I rode through the ‘route baree sign’ to walking distance of the chapel, but could get no further .
It’s a long way to go back and detour if you get up there and find route baree.
I’m hearing fresh snow still falling.
I’m suggesting that the odds of it being open for you on 10th June are not good .
 
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