Are snow chains needed in the mountains?
ca-TE-ne — stress on second syllable. ne-VE — stress on first syllable. mon-TA-gna — stress on second syllable.
Ask the rental agent when you plan to drive in the Italian Alps or Apennines in winter and need to know about snow chain requirements.
Ci vuole (it is needed / one needs) — impersonal of volere. Le catene da neve (snow chains) — catene (chains), da neve (for snow). In montagna (in the mountains) — in without article in fixed expressions.
La macchina ha le gomme invernali?
Does the car have winter tyres?
Gomme invernali (winter tyres) — mandatory on some Alpine roads from November to April
Quando scatta l'obbligo delle catene?
When does the chain requirement kick in?
Scatta (kicks in/activates) — legal obligations for winter driving equipment
Sa come si montano le catene?
Do you know how to fit the chains?
Montare le catene (to fit the chains) — practice before you need to do it in the dark
Italian Alpine roads require either winter tyres or snow chains from mid-October to mid-April on many passes — road signs indicate quando l'obbligo è in vigore (when the obligation is in force). Fines for non-compliance are significant.