UKC

Driving to Austria next week, does anyone know whether snow chains are obligatory or whether snow socks will do - as they are in France?

Austria is winter tyres with the 3PMSF symbol and snow socks do not meet the chain requirements for Austrian roads. 

snow socks are OK in France as an alternative to chains, as are winter tyres in the areas where having one of the three is obligatory for the winter (eg Alps & Pyrenees).

Sod it. I've got both - so will take both - but fitting chains on low profile tyres is a real PITA...

Yep, chains with ÖNORM V5117/V5119 are all that are acceptable, usually also marked KNS30(other higher numbers may apply) and/or EN16662-1. Unmarked chains, socks and whatever don't cut it. Also note you should turn off the ESP/traction control etc for chains to function effectively. 

Sod it, but thanks anyway. 

One thing to bear in mind is that while summer tyres may be legal up to the point where the conditions mean that chains/socks become necessary, once fitted, they still put you at a disadvantage relative to “properly shod” locals.

This point came across to us very clearly a few years back while driving on a Swiss motorway after dark in a snow storm with it settling rapidly on the carriageway despite the relatively heavy traffic in both lanes. The locals were all motoring along nicely on their winter tyres at 30-40 mph. We had snowflake rated 4 season tyres which coped really well and gave an increasing sense of confidence when it came to keeping up and braking. Summer tyres would have been far too unpredictable in those conditions and stopping to fit chains/ socks would have been horrendous.