Many mountain passes in Europe have winter closures in the period between October and May – sometimes even until early June. These passes are then completely closed to all traffic. But there are also passes that are open all year round and can be passed with, for example, snow plows and studded tires or snow chains.
Especially in Norway, studded tires are common between the last weekend in October and the Easter weekend. However, the passes that are open all year round also have periodic closures, for example due to heavy snowfall. For all mountain passes it is necessary to have snow chains in the car and you must know how to use them.
Updated: September 16 2022 15:15 CET
Winter is coming! The first snow of the season is going to fall this weekend. With snow limits tanking towards 1500m, the driving conditions will deteriorate.
Note that the Grimselpass, Nufenenpass and Furkapass will all close from September 16 – 20:00 and will remain closed until further notice.
You can find the list of current openings and closures here:
| Mountain pass name | Altitude (meters asl) | Country | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albulapass | 2312 | Switzerland | Open |
| Berninapass | 2328 | Switzerland | Open |
| Col de la Croix | 1778 | Switzerland | Open |
| Col des Montets | 1461 | Switzerland | Open |
| Flüelapass | 2383 | Switzerland | Open |
| Col de la Forclaz | 1527 | Switzerland | Open |
| Furkapass | 2436 | Switzerland | Open -> Closure per Sept 16 - 20:00h due to weather conditions |
| Glaubenbergpass | 1543 | Switzerland | Open |
| Glaubenbielenpass | 1611 | Switzerland | Open |
| Gotthardpass | 2108 | Switzerland | Open |
| Grimselpass | 2165 | Switzerland | Open -> Closure per Sept 16 - 20:00h due to weather conditions |
| Grosser Sankt Bernhardpas (Grand Saint Bernard) | 2473 | Switzerland | Open |
| Ibergegg | 1406 | Switzerland | Open |
| Julierpass | 2284 | Switzerland | Open |
| Klausenpass | 1940 | Switzerland | Open |
| Livignopass | 2330 | Switzerland | Open |
| Lukmanierpass | 1941 | Switzerland | Open |
| Malojapass | 1815 | Switzerland | Open |
| Nufenenpass | 2478 | Switzerland | Open -> Closure per Sept 16 - 20:00h due to weather conditions |
| Oberalppass | 2045 | Switzerland | Open |
| Ofenpass | 2149 | Switzerland | Open |
| Pragelpass | 1550 | Switzerland | Open |
| San Bernardinopass | 2066 | Switzerland | Open |
| Simplonpass | 2005 | Switzerland | Open |
| Splügenpass | 2118 | Switzerland | Open |
| Sustenpass | 2224 | Switzerland | Open -> Closure per Sept 16 - 20:00h due to weather conditions |
| Umbrailpass | 2503 | Switzerland | Open |
| Col d'Agnel | 2746 | France | Open |
| Col d'Aravis | 1498 | France | Open |
| Bataille | 1336 | France | Open |
| Cayolle | 2356 | France | Open |
| Champs | 2095 | France | Open |
| Col d'Allos | 2250 | France | Open |
| Col de la Bonette | 2802 | France | Open |
| Col de l'Iseran | 2770 | France | Open |
| Col du Galibier | 2645 | France | Open |
| Colombiere | 1613 | France | Open |
| Cormet de Roselend | 1968 | France | Open |
| Croix-de-Fer | 2068 | France | Open |
| Echelle | 1766 | France | Open |
| Glandon | 1924 | France | Open |
| Izoard | 2360 | France | Open |
| Joux-plane | 1713 | France | Open |
| Joux-Verte | 1760 | France | Open |
| Petit Saint Bernard | 2188 | France | Open |
| Larche | 1991 | France | Open |
| Lautaret | 2058 | France | Open |
| Lombarde | 2350 | France | Open |
| Madeleine | 1993 | France | Open |
| Mont-Cenis | 2081 | France | Open |
| Col des Montets | 1461 | France | Open |
| Restefond | 2678 | France | Open |
| Saisies | 1633 | France | Open |
| Télégraphe | 1570 | France | Open |
| Tende | 1871 | France | Closed |
| Turini | 1607 | France | Open |
| Vars | 2109 | France | Open |
| Campolongo | 1875 | Italy | Open |
| Falzaregopass | 2105 | Italy | Open |
| Grödnerjoch | 2121 | Italy | Open - trailers not allowed |
| Gampenpass / Gampenjoch | 1518 | Italy | Open |
| Jaufenpass | 2094 | Italy | Open. No trailers >4,5m allowed |
| Kreuzbergpass | 1636 | Italy | Open |
| Karerpass | 1745 | Italy | Open |
| Lavazéjoch | 1805 | Italy | Open |
| Mendelpass | 1362 | Italy | Open |
| Nigerpass | 1688 | Italy | Open |
| Penserjoch | 2211 | Italy | Open |
| Pordoijoch | 2239 | Italy | Open |
| Stilfserjoch / Stelvio pass | 2757 | Italy | Open |
| Staller Sattel | 2052 | Italy | Open |
| Sellajoch | 2240 | Italy | Open - trailers not allowed |
| Timmelsjoch | 2474 | Italy | Open |
| Valparolapass | 2192 | Italy | Open |
| Würzjoch | 1987 | Italy | Open |
| Arlbergpass | 1793 | Austria | Open |
| Brennerpass | 1374 | Austria | Open |
| Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse | 2506 | Austria | Open |
| Hahntennjoch | 1894 | Austria | Open |
| Kaunertaler Gletscherstrasse | 2052 | Austria | Open |
| Kuhtai | 2020 | Austria | Open |
| Maltatal Hochalmstrasse | 1931 | Austria | Open |
| Nockalmstrasse | 2040 | Austria | Open |
| Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse | 2036 | Austria | Open |