Driving

Ziad Al Hasso

Since the arrival of budget flights to Europe, driving to the resorts has become less popular.

It’s a lot slower than flying (it takes about ten hours to drive from Calais to the French Alps). It can also be a lot more stressful. Breaking down, getting lost - or just worrying about getting there in one piece can all take their toll. And when you finally do arrive you have to find somewhere to park...

On the other hand, it’s generally cheaper, it gives you more flexibility and you also get to see a lot more of the countryside you’re driving through.

If you do drive then there are a few things you’ll need for the trip. Roof racks are essential for carrying gear, and it’s a good idea to wrap your stuff in bin bags to protect it from the rain. Try and pick a good car and avoid mini-buses at all costs: the joy of having all your mates with you in the back wears off after sixteen hours. Share the driving where possible and check if your rescue cover extends overseas, because if you break down it’ll definitely be worth having it.

Oh, and it sounds obvious, but don’t forget to carry decent maps...

Petrol Stations in the mountains are few and far between. And local stations off the main roads are often closed outside working hours, or may only accept foreign petrol cards. You can't risk running out of petrol, so it’s better to be safe and stop often to refuel.

Depending on the weather and which resort you're visiting, you may also want to think about snow chains. Good, well-cleared roads connect most major resorts, and under these conditions driving sensibly at low speed (and in the highest possible gear without stalling) will usually be enough. In more remote resorts you'll definitely need snow chains after a fresh fall, and some places may even stop you driving without them. (Should you find yourself looking for a set of chains, repairs or snow tyres than the apparantly only English bloke in a garage in the whole French Alps is to be found at Station Marché in Bourg St Maurice and his name is Phil...)

Practice putting the chains on in a well-lit, dry car park beforehand. Scrabbling around with frozen fingers in a pitch-black blizzard is never fun and badly fitted chains can cause serious damage to both your car and your nerves. (Note: chains go on the front tyres of front wheel drives and vice versa for rear wheel drives.)

The quickest way to the French Alps by car is via a ferry to Calais. These normally operate round the clock, so you can roll onto an earlier or later ferry outside of busy periods.

Out of Calais, stay on the auto-routes. France is a BIG country and you’ve got a lot of distance to cover. The auto-routes are in excellent condition and always quiet. The toll charges are about 50 Euros each way to the Alps. You can pay with cash, credit or petrol cards.

From Calais to Chamonix you should follow signs to Paris, Reims, Troyes, Dijon, Geneva, Mt Blanc Tunnel in that order. If you want to get into the Tignes or Meribel ski areas than follow the above route to Dijon and pick up signs to Macon, Lyons, Chambery , Alberville and finally Moutiers.

Then all you have to do is head up the road, watch the switchbacks and cruise into the resort knowing you put your car to good use and, as the song says, did it your way...

Dover - Calais Crossings
P&O Ferries
Eurotunnel
Sea France
Hoverspeed

Road Rescue
The AA
RAC

Online Maps
Route Finder (Europe)
Multimap.com

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