Swiss pass roads open end of May?

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    23 March 2016 at 16:46:28 #808703

    Hello ,

    I am currently in the middle of organizing a bit of a road trip through Europe towards the end of May. And will be driving down towards Interlaken by the 23rd of May .

    From there, on the 24th of May , I was hoping to be heading down towards the Grimsel Pass and Furka Pass , but it’s been brought to my attention that these roads tend to close during the winter.

    I would have thought they would be open by the end of May right ?

    Does anyone have any advice on this please ?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated of course.

    Thank you.

    Mathew.

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    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    23 March 2016 at 17:45:53 #849750

    <<” I would have thought they would be open by the end of May right ?

    Does anyone have any advice on this please ? “>>

    Not sure where you got your data for late May, but it does not match my experience. Might happen if the winter snow pack is light.

    To be safe, plan on June 15th. A pleasant surprise would be late May.

    One way to crosscheck is to check the bus schedules over those routes for different days.

    Use the timetable

    http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

    I ran across a web site with pass open/close conditions the other day, and posted it in some link in this forum.

    Haven’t go time to find it now,but perhaps you or someone else can.

    Slowpoke

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    23 March 2016 at 18:43:56 #849751

    The highest passes could still be closed. Here’s more information: myswissalps.com/ car/trafficinfo.

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    23 March 2016 at 18:52:52 #849752

    Hi Mathew-

    Please check his thread:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/sustenpass-when-accessible-how-long-a-drive

    Also, check this information about the seasons and altitudes. Late May still has much of the Jungfrau region shut down.

    http://www.myswissalps.com/be sttimetovisit

    Slowpoke

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    24 March 2016 at 9:23:50 #849753

    Thank you everyone for your help and advice .

    It looks like the roads will be closed around the time I was planning on being there, very unfortunate as it’s a big part of the trip. Looks like I’m going to have to re arrange the Swiss part another time ,and take advantage of the amazing views and roads around later in the year.

    Would you say that July would have good weather usually on the mountain passes ?

    And certainly I will coming back to this forum for advice when it comes to the next trip , very informative and quick responding replies which is very greatly appreciated.

    Mathew

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    24 March 2016 at 10:05:12 #849754

    Hi Mathew,

    Well, they may be closed, but could be open as well. You need to have an alternative route in mind if you come in May. July through September are perfect. All passes will be open, except of course for the unpredictable: snow storms and landslides can occur at any time at that altitude.

    I’m glad you like the website!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    28 March 2016 at 7:26:50 #849755

    Hi Mathew

    This website provides information about the status of the Swiss alpine passes.

    http://alpen-paesse.ch/en/alpenpaes se/furkapass/

    If you go to the downloads link on the above site, you can download a PDF showing opening and closing times of the passes for the last 20 years or so. That shows that the Furka and Grimsel passes have only been open by 24 May in 4 or 5 years out of the last 22 years, so the chances don’t look good!

    It’s in German, so here are the key terms translated:

    Oeffnung / Schliessung der Alpenpaesse – Opening / closing of the alpine passes

    Ganzjährig geöffnete Pässe – Passes open all year

    Pass/Jahr – Pass/Year

    Ostern – Easter

    Pfingsten – Whitsun/Pentecost

    There is also an app called “Swiss alpine passes status information”. The link below is for the iOS version.

    https://itunes.apple.c om/us/app/swiss-alpine-passes-status/id840299325?mt=8

    The app is supposed to be available in both German and English, but mine is in German and I can’t see any way to change the language. Anyway, here is a translation of the various status descriptions:

    Wintersperre – Closed for the winter

    Offen, schneebedeckt – Open, snow covered

    Offen, normal befahrbar – Open, no restrictions

    Wintersperre, Teilöffnung – Winter closure, partly lifted

    Perhaps this site will also interest you, if you are not already aware of it:

    http://www.myswitzerla nd.com/en-au/suggestions/grand-tour-of-switzerland.html

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    28 March 2016 at 11:56:03 #849756

    Hi Alpenrose66-

    Good find. Thanks.

    I live in the USA and mine opened in English.

    Slowpoke

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