Opening of the Mont Cenis and Iseran passes

The Mont Cenis and Iseran passes are open to traffic in summer and autumn. Access to Italy from Val Cenis is possible from May. The road between Val d'Isère and Bonneval sur Arc opens in June. The passes are usually closed to traffic in early November.

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Col du Mont Cenis

Summer 2026: The road has been open to traffic since Friday, May 22, 2026

The access road to the Mont Cenis Pass (2,081 meters above sea level) and Italy has been open since Friday, May 22.

Winter 2026–2027: Road closure scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026

The pass is usually closed for the winter season fromthe second Monday in November—which this year falls on Monday, November 9—untilthe second Friday in May. In winter, much of the road becomes a ski trail: L’Escargot, the longest green run in Europe (11 km).

 

Information
Find all the official information on Savoie's roads (opening of passes, roadworks...) on :
savoie-route.fr
Snow clearing on Col de l'Iseran, Bonneval sur Arc, opening of the Iseran road

Iseran pass

The road is scheduled to open on June 12, 2026*

Europe's highest road pass (2,764m), clearing snow from the Iseran is a major undertaking, requiring several weeks' work on both sides of the pass. Snow depths often reach 8 to 10m in some areas (notably at the "snow bridge" on the Bonneval sur Arc side).

Snowbanks usually line the roadside until early July. They make for great selfie shots, but… be careful—there’s steady traffic from cars, motorcycles, and bicycles on this legendary pass along the Route des Grandes Alpes. Cyclists: take advantage of the bike-only climb during the Iserane event in late June!

The road is scheduled to close for the winter on November 2, 2026*

In winter, the pass is closed to traffic, usually starting on the first Monday in November. This year, that falls on November 2, 2026. Therefore, in winter, it is not possible to travel from Bonneval-sur-Arc to Val d’Isère via this route.

*⚠ These dates may vary according to the weather.