Getting to Tignes

Road conditions

Before setting off for Tignes, check out the essential information for a trouble-free journey

Consult the traffic conditions live in Savoie

During the winter season *, the PC Osiris de Savoie prepares the weekend crossover and gives recommendations in order to avoid the peak of traffic in the Tarentaise valley and in the greater Chambéry area. A weather report is also given to better prepare your trip.

 

Advice for drivers Savoie traffic conditions live

Passes opening

The Col de l’Iseran is the highest road pass in Europe. It links the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys.

OPEN for the summer season and until autumn. The road pass will close on 22 September at 07:00 (reopening in May 2026).

The Col du Petit Saint-Bernard links the Val d’Aoste (Italy) and the Tarentaise valley.

OPEN for the summer season and until autumn.

The Cormet de Roselend links the Beaufortain and Tarentaise valleys (direct arrival at Bourg Saint Maurice).

OPEN for the summer season and until autumn.

Winter advices

The Petit Saint Bernard and Iseran passes are closed for the winter season. Be wary of the itinerary advised by your GPS!

Tignes weather

Advice n°1

Obligation: I always have snow chains in my boot

Because snow doesn’t just fall on the pistes, you need to be prepared: the weather can be fine on the day you arrive, and snowy on the day you leave. So don’t forget your chains, and leave them accessible in your boot. Practise putting them on before the big day, and stop off at the chaining points provided to avoid obstructing traffic.

Information messages are broadcast when conditions make it necessary:

  • Mandatory special equipment: this means that you must be equipped with winter tyres, chains or socks.
  • Chains compulsory: no choice! Only chains will allow you to reach or leave the resort. This is the only equipment that will be authorised by the Gendarmerie at the various checkpoints to avoid incidents that could slow down or block traffic.

Advice n°2

I look for information before or while on the road

On your smartphone, don’t forget to check:

  • The Tignes app: notifications are sent to inform you of road closures, diversions, etc.
  • The PC Osiris Savoie-route.fr website

And don’t forget the local radio stations, which regularly broadcast updates on traffic conditions:

  • R’Tignes (88.2 et 92.2) et R’Les Arcs (à la montée et la descente de Tignes)
  • France Bleu Pays de Savoie
  • Radio Autoroute 107.7
Tignes application Road info (Savoie)

Advice n°3

I check out the webcams to see what the traffic is like

Don’t forget to check the webcam images on your journey or when you arrive in Tignes. The motorway webcams allow you to check traffic conditions, while the Tignes webcams give you an overview of the weather and road conditions at an altitude of 2,100 metres.

A43 motorway webcam Tignes webcams

Advice n°4

I adjust my travel in case of bad weather

Have you heard the the traffic would be difficult when you have planned to travel? Whenever possible, follow the recommandations and try not to drive when the traffic is heavy or in case of heavy snow falls.

Equipment rules

On roads displaying the ‘special equipment compulsory’ sign, you must fit snow chains to your tyres if the road is snow-covered (and not just keep them in the boot). Winter tyres are also permitted, unless marked ‘snow chains compulsory’.

From 1st November to 31 March, in certain areas of the mountain ranges indicated by the signs ‘Zone d’obligation d’équipements en période hivernale’, your vehicle (passenger car, light commercial vehicle or camper van) must:

  • Have snow chains (or equivalent devices) in the boot to equip at least two drive wheels;
  • Or be permanently fitted with four winter tyres.

Equip yourself accordingly

Snow chains

These are metal snow chains or equivalent removable anti-slip devices, such as textile snow chains (‘socks’).

When and how to put on chains?

  1. It is advisable to put on your chains when the road is snow-covered, even if there is no ‘special equipment compulsory’ sign.
  2. Don’t wait until the last moment to fit your chains, to avoid the risk of getting stuck and obstructing the passage of other vehicles.
  3. When installing your chains, it’s best to choose a flat area with plenty of room so as not to endanger yourself or obstruct traffic. Make sure you wear a reflective waistcoat.
  4. Remember to retighten the chains after a few kilometres.
  5. It is forbidden to use chains on dry roads. It damages the roads and can also damage your chains or your vehicle.

Winter tyres

To be considered winter tyres, they must bear the following two markings:

  • The alpine symbol (a snowflake in a mountain) supplemented by the letters ‘M+S’, ‘M.S’ or ‘M&S’.
  • Until 1 November 2024, tyres marked only ‘M+S’, ‘M.S’ or ‘M&S’, without the alpine symbol, will be tolerated. After that date, you can still buy and use these tyres, but you must have the following in your vehicle
  • Your vehicle must also be fitted with chains for use from 1 November to 31 March in the zones concerned.