Compensation expenses issue

malnik

Flying Ryanair.
Today our flight was cancelled about 3 hours prior to departure. No reason was given. The message came through the app.
I followed the instructions to rebook, but there was no flights available Until Thursday which s too late. I could not get in touch with anyone at Ryanair to see what they could do and at 8pm I gave up and made a booking with another airline to return tomorrow. I made extensive searches on sites to try to get a Ryanair flight from some other reasonable close European airport. 
I'm looking for Ryanair to reimburse me for the new flights and travel arrangements to get to the different airport for the flight. Approx Euro 400, 3 travelers.
Ryanair i feel will say its snow related, therefore out of their control. I point out that many Ryanair flights took off today, only a small % didn't, so not really snow related. They will also say I didn't get approval from them, but on the 3 occasions I tried i was told they were too busy and to try later. If i left it any longer, the new flights may be full of the others on the cancelled flight!
What do you think of my chance? I'm not concerned about compensation, but feel they owe me the cost of the new flight.

onashoestring

When a flight is cancelled the airline must give you the choice of either a refund or re-routing. If you have chosen re- routing then Ryanair must repay your expenses for this . 

If the cancellation is due to the weather then you will not be entitled to claim for additional compensation. When you make your claim be clear that it is the EXPENSES of re- routing NOT compensation or a refund that you are claiming for . To support your claim Include any proof you have that you chose the only suitable alternative flights available ( screenshots etc ) and also any proof of your attempts to contact Ryanair .