Originally Posted by Fen Tiger (Post 2995528)

Another factor which can come into play in the French Alps are the annual roadworks in preparation for le Tour which take place between the opening of the cols in the spring and the race itself. You can normally ride through them but I have come across total closure a couple of times. Difficult to plan for these. The Michelin map gives the closure dates of the main cols in a normal year due to snow so that can be used as a guide and the date/route of the Tour is also a known factor. I have done the Route de Haute Alpes a few times in early June with no snow on the road if that helps. I imagine late May would be touch and go. Great ride.