Planning to visit one of the Alpine ski resorts this year, in addition to the Czech mountains?
You may be surprised to learn that you don’t need winter tires to drive to France or Switzerland. But don’t be misled – there’s a catch. Although winter tires are recommended in France and Switzerland, and even mandatory in some regions of these countries, they are not required nationwide or on all roads. A similar rule applies in Poland, a favorite destination among Czech and Slovak tourists.
If, on the other hand, you’re heading to Austria, double-check that your tread depth is at least 4 millimeters. In Italy or Germany, however, 1.6 millimeters will do – which, interestingly, is the minimum tread depth tolerated in the Czech Republic for summer tires, not winter ones. Czech law requires winter tires with a tread depth of at least 4 millimeters from November 1, but only when there is continuous snow cover, ice or frost on the road, or when such conditions can be expected due to the weather.
And what about snow chains? At certain high-altitude resorts or in hard-to-reach places, they are even mandatory – something you can easily google for each location. Depending on your destination, be prepared for this scenario as well, since mountain conditions should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to potential insurance claims and the risks associated with them.
