 Poster: A snowHead
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Easter 2026 - Self Drive
We're heading to the Alps next year with our two daughters (5&7) and will use the Chunnel (roughly 5pm) on the Friday. Where's best to look after stopping on the way down and then on the way back? Haven't done the drive since 2013 and we stopped in Albertville on the way down and blitzed the majority of the drive on the first day but left early morning.
With kids and being a teacher this isn't an option so any advice from the self drive crew that do it yearly would be great to know!
Thanks,
Jack
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Best use the search function there are many threads on the same question with many different answers!
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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?
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@VallandrySeasonnaire, maybe St Quentin on the way down, and Troyes on the way back, but there are infinite combinations.
This thread night have some suggestions in more recent posts, but there are others. https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=28639.
I think @boredsurfin might forget how hard it is for newer forum members to search.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thank you. Really appreciate it the link.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We mostly drive overnight - kids sleep, two parent drivers alternate and sleep when not driving.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Catching a 5pm tunnel crossing sounds a little optimistic after school, unless you live quite close. The M25 traffic and Operation Brock can easily add an hour.
We always stop at Reims Tinqueux, usually reaching the hotel after 11:00pm (French time). The drive from Calais is always tiring as it's at night and comes at the end of a long day. I never want to drive any further.
In the morning we're driving by 8am and aim to be in the resort (e.g. Flaine) by 4pm.
On the way back we usually drive in one go, but we've stayed at Dijon before when we've been to more distant resorts.
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@VallandrySeasonnaire, not done an evening drive through France when we've been both times at Easter - we usually leave the midlands at 5am, get a breakfast-time crossing then drive and do a stopover. But that suits us, I guess the 5pm crossing is convenient for you because it's after work?
Anyway, I'd think Arras or St Quinten could be a good option to arrive circa 8-9pm, or if you travel further then Riems or Troyes would be doable (3-4hrs from Calais) and also mean less driving the following day. All on the main route down to the Alps so no real deviation from the route, and all have loads of budget and mid-range hotel options.
We've done Airbnb properties before but not sure I'd want to be arriving late at night and having the potential for not being able to access; a hotel deffo sounds a much more convenient option.
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@VallandrySeasonnaire, depending on how far you're willing to travel on the Friday evening, you could look at getting to Troyes.
The Ibis Budget Troyes Est is about 4 hours from Calais. It's also a good spot to fill up as there's an E Leclerc there with much cheaper fuel than motorway services. There's also some food options round there, Burger King, McDonald's Buffalo Grill etc.
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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.
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@VallandrySeasonnaire, Sure it's obvious, but will say in any case, remember the 1-hr time difference. Shuttle at 5pm is getting off around 6.45pm
While night driving is an option many use, you know whether that works for you and your kids. Personally I can't do it, missed sleep wipes me out for days.
As above have used the Ibis Budget in Troyes and it's fine.
Personally I'd be looking to be away by 5am on the Saturday to avoid hitting Lyon and roads to resort when everyone else does!
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Thanks again for those that have replied.
Looking at a 5pm crossing. Might be earlier. Both myself and the children have a half day before each term ends, so will be on the road by 2pm and we are only an hour and 15 from the Chunnel. However, not sure whether to be optimistic with the booking or be realistic as worried about operation stack etc.
Thinking of getting to Troyes if possible to reduce the journey the following day, but Reims probably a little more realistic. On the following Saturday, we'll likely stay in resort for most of the day and leave resort in mid-afternoon and have a leisurely drive back to around Dijon before doing the rest of the drive on the Sunday. Will definitely not do it in one go and don't fancy an early start to beat the traffic, plus Saturdays are immense on the slopes!
Cheers!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Will definitely not do it in one go and don't fancy an early start to beat the traffic, plus Saturdays are immense on the slopes!
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Yes, this makes very good sense. Got to be stupidly early to beat the traffic and if you have to check out of self catering accommodation it's a LOT of work.
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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.
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Out of interest, at what point am I likely to need to book the hotels? Looking at Ibis website and booking.com it says unavailable for Troyes EST.
Wondering whether I should ring direct or whether it's worth waiting?
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They won’t have opened the booking yet. I was keen to book the Ibis in St Quentin for our end of March getaway. I checked a few times and wasn’t available until I checked in mid July.
We tend to go end March or early April week and we’ve never had huge amounts of traffic. Not compared to Feb transfer traffic! Sometimes supermarket in Moûtiers has been a bit busy.
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You know it makes sense.
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| VallandrySeasonnaire wrote: |
Out of interest, at what point am I likely to need to book the hotels? Looking at Ibis website and booking.com it says unavailable for Troyes EST.
Wondering whether I should ring direct or whether it's worth waiting? |
Also take a look at B&B Hotels in Troyes - they have several in Troyes and some do family (4 people) rooms the Ibis Troyes est only do rooms for max of 3.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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The urgency of booking for a Friday night hotel stopover at Easter is nothing like as crucial as half term - when everything within striking distance of the resorts is booked up months in advance.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Origen wrote: |
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Will definitely not do it in one go and don't fancy an early start to beat the traffic, plus Saturdays are immense on the slopes!
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Yes, this makes very good sense. Got to be stupidly early to beat the traffic and if you have to check out of self catering accommodation it's a LOT of work. |
It’s straightforward enough with a little planning, we pack Friday night so just have overnight things left and always pay for cleaning. Key drop is usually in a key safe outside. This means we can be away at sparrows fart and home for evening curry 
Works for us, but can see the attraction of Saturday ski and more leisurely drive home.
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