Currently pricing up a family February half term trip to France and have had to think again of how we can get it more affordable!
So think driving would save a considerable amount.
We don't mind driving in France but am a bit apprehensive about driving up snow/ice covered mountain roads. So we were thinking are there any resorts that we could securely park the car back down on the 'main road/town' and get a taxi to the resort.
Has anyone done this before and know of best area to do this, or is best place to park the car at a nearby airport?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I would say leaving it in the airport would be more expensive than flying. We drive every year & not had an issue yet but I am not going to a high resort. Chamonix virtually has a motorway into the centre so I would imagine that's an easy drive
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Countess, pick a resort with lift-served access to the ski area from the valley, if you are that concerned. Bourg St Maurice for Les Arcs. Brides les Bains for Meribel. Lauterbrunnen for Wengen or Murren also comes to mind as you park there and catch the train up, but I am sure there are loads more. Maybe some of the Austrian resorts might be suitable? Most roads will be kept reasonably clear of snow and ice.
@Countess, Samoens is probably the quickest, easiest drive from Calais and has a big lift going up into the mountains, it was the one we first did with the caravan before we felt experienced enough to tow up Alpine roads. It links to Flaine. The French resorts HellsBells suggests are also good.
Many, perhaps most, of the valley resorts that have lifts up to the skiing have parking at the accommodation.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Countess, as others have said you can minimise the "drama" if you go to the right place.
Winterise your car properly, buy some snow chains and practice putting them and the jobs a good un.
We usually stay at places like Les Coches and Oz-en-Oisan where the drive in isn't too much. There are advantages to staying at lower altitudes anyway.
At the risk of provoking another 'winter tyres' debate I'd say this is always a tricky one. Personally, I'd winterise my car and then I'd be able to go anywhere. Choosing a valley parking solution might not help. We drove five years in a row on summer tyres and chains to hand and never had any problems. Then the first year I had winter tyres we hit snow big time en route, together with a fair amount of snow-tarmac-snow that makes chains useless and had no problems. Ditto a couple of years later. We seem to hit snow en route or in the resort about 1 year every five on average. Switching to winters is still useful even in the UK as they're better in wet and cold, and while they're on, you're obviously not wearing your summers. But I appreciate that it seems a lot of cost/effort for an uncertain benefit. Take a look at the archives for threads on winter tyre pros/cons. or read a summary I did specifically for a BMW Onwers Forum (so focused on 2 Series): http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=90035
Even if you don't go for winter tyres, note the recommendation to fit your chains before you go. Many chain sets fit a range of wheel and tyre combinations so need some adjustments for your specific wheels. Also check your Owner's Manual to see if the wheels fitted to your model can even take chains - a lot of low-profile, performance models have wider wheels that can't (as the inner chain bits foul the suspension, steering or brakepipes).
Here's an interesting comparison of a typical family car with/without winter tyres: it's done on snow for effect, but the differences are still significant even just on wet/cold tarmac:
@Countess, it's not a great deal further to drive to Austria where there are a whole host of ski areas at valley level with no steep or winding access roads, some even have direct access from a motorway junction.
However, you'll still have to put winter tyres on your car, which would probably be necessary wherever you go.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
I did it once, St Jean de Maurienne for St Sorlin D'Arves after a nightmare drive the previous year. Left car at hotel and caught bus. Round here it would be possible to leave a car at Bourg D'Oisans and catch bus to Alpe d'Huez or Les Deux Alpes. Or even Grenoble although parking could be expensive, airport probably cheaper.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
There is no need to buy winter tyres (unless going to Austria where they are compulsory) for a one week a year winter holiday, snow chains or socks will be perfectly adequate - obviously practice putting them on and off at home before you go, and follow the driving advice supplied with them.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I agree with @queen bodecia. However, if you are determined to be in France, Orelle ticks the boxes. Motorway the whole way apart from the last 5km which is on a valley road. You then have direct access to Val Thorens. Might be a tad busy on the roads and to get the lift up every morning.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
boredsurfin wrote:
.. snow chains or socks will be perfectly adequate ..
If the OP reads my Overview and concludes on the balance of risk vs cost that they'll take the risk, then that's fine. But I'd never tell anyone that they are guaranteed not to need winter tyres, as I don't think it's a black-and-white issue. There are potential circumstances where snowchains/socks on summer tyres won't be 'perfectly adequate' - it's all a matter of probability.
For me, the 'one week a year' Alpine drive was what tipped the balance to getting winter tyres for UK driving. I'd agree it's a much closer thing if you don't take the car to the Alps. But I think it's odd to spend all that one does on running a car, plus the cost of a family Alpine ski trip, and not to fork out another £40/year to maximise the choice of where I can go, and significantly improve the safety of driving in Alpine conditions. The only overall cost are two the change-overs (as the summers last proportionately longer) and I get safer UK winter driving as well.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@hammerite, or Brides le Bain, is that about the same?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
It's certainly not black and white. I've had snow from Kent to resort one time and other occasions were I've not seen snow until just before I arrive.
Another option that I personally regret taking once, maybe twice - is keeping a close watch on the weather forecast - and taking evasive action. If a big storm is blowing through just as you are planning to drive into or out of resort - then leave earlier or later. The definite time we should have done this is when we went to Tignes Christmas before last. If we'd have packed up and driven out on Friday night we would have been 'home free' rather than having a wasted, stressful day and a night in an emergency shelter. I know hindsight is a great thing but it's something I will be looking out for going forwards.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I've stayed in Brides. The ride up and down is a drag and if you like being in the mountains proper it's not so great but it does solve the issue. You'll get more bang for your buck accommodation and food wise also.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hells Bells wrote:
@Countess, pick a resort with lift-served access to the ski area from the valley, if you are that concerned. Bourg St Maurice for Les Arcs. Brides les Bains for Meribel. Lauterbrunnen for Wengen or Murren also comes to mind as you park there and catch the train up, but I am sure there are loads more. Maybe some of the Austrian resorts might be suitable? Most roads will be kept reasonably clear of snow and ice.
+1
There is covered secure parking in Brides les Bains next to the river down the road from the Casino. It is a short 5 minute walk from there to the 4 person bubble car which takes 30 minutes to get to Meribel.
Don't rule out staying/parking in Le Chable in Switzerland, and skiing/living in Verbier. The £/chf exchange rate is not that bad compared to £/Euro. There is a large open air car park next to the very sizeable cable car in Le Chable, although I am not sure how long you can stay there securely. Most open air ski resort car parks are fairly secure, as bad people do not drive up steep roads into snow covered car parks to steal things. Parking in places near large supermarkets, or large non ski towns, is less secure as bad people live there and so are tempted.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@boredsurfin, probably, but I've never been to Brides le Bain so can't comment!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Last two seasons we went to 3 Valleys, 2016 we went to Meribel Motarett and flew up the mountain and per booked secured parking around 70 euro for the week, no need to even consider putting snow chains on.
Last January we went to Val Thorens, it started to snow like hell unlike previous year and we ended up putting on snow chains 8kms from VT, any of the lower resorts like Meribel , Saint Martin etc we would have had no problem reaching without the chains it was just coming to VT the traffic started to back up and I thought not enough traction to get going again.
If you avoid VT then I think not an issue unless the snow is epic.
We had one journey back from Serre Chevalier where it snowed non-stop on the whole trip. The only part of the journey where the roads weren't cleared or gritted was the A1(M) near Peterbrough.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
We've had snow the whole journey and put chains on at Aime when going to La Plagne
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Poster: A snowHead
