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Ski and snowboarding

For ski chat, join the Mumsnet Ski forum. Check out our guide to the best resorts in Europe and our family ski holiday packing list.

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Original poster

driving to the slopes

23 replies

kate55 · 30/10/2008 18:22

We are going to aosta just the other side of the mot blanc tunnel for new year any general tips on driving or suggestions for places to stay enroute.

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Original poster

kate55 · 30/10/2008 18:35

bump

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debinaustria · 31/10/2008 06:35

snow chains and if you're staying somewhere with uk hosts then offer to bring them some british goodies!
We have 3xguests driving to us in austria this year, it's not as far as people think.

serin · 31/10/2008 21:43

Yes we are driving too, estimated time 8hrs which is a lot less than our August trip to Cornwall usually takes. we are planning to stop off for a few nights in Paris on the way back.

Will watch your thread with interest Kate.

LIZS · 01/11/2008 11:02

Check out the requirements of any countries you may pass through on AA site. You could go all the way via France (it is a good road from Geneva to Mont Blanc tunnel at Chamonix whcih is probably kept clear of snow) but if you go into Switzerland, for example you'd need to carry a torch, triangle, shovel etc and buy a Vignette to use the Swiss autoroutes. Depending how high your resort you should probably carry chains or have 4wd.

missingtheaction · 01/11/2008 11:06

logis de france - get the book they are always nice and very French. Formule 1 are cheap as chips though and a good laugh.

MrLSG · 01/11/2008 16:26

Aosta is low. You won't need snowchains unless it is actually snowing heavily whilst you are travelling. You can avoid Geneva (and hence Switzerland and the motorway tax): just follow the signs for Chamonix and Italy.

Original poster

kate55 · 01/11/2008 18:29

Thanks for all the tips. We are atually going to Pila.Do you know what the drive is like up to the resort from Aosta.

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LunarSea · 02/11/2008 08:30

You can buy snowchains on the other side of the channel at one of the hypermarkets for a lot less than they are here. And if you're coming back on a Saturday (most are shut on Sundays) you can even be cheeky and return them for a refund a week later if it turns out you didn't need them!

You also nee to carry a high-vis jacket in your breakdown kit for France now.

MrsGhoulofGhostbourne · 03/11/2008 16:59

Lunar - lol re the cheekiness!
btw the hi viz jackets need to be in the car, not the boot so you can all put them on iof necessary before gettigng out the car. ( Except in our case the children alway exit via the boot anyway...

stringbean · 03/11/2008 21:38

We always drive to France when skiing; we stop and do the shopping on the way so self-catering works out cheaper than buying food in the resort. Snow chains are essential - we've seen people turned back for not having them (gendarmes doing checks when driving up the mountain in the snow); make sure you know how to fit them before you set off - you may find yourself doing it in the dark in a howling blizzard. Etap hotels are a step up from Formule 1 as they have en-suite bathrooms (look at the Accor website), and Novotels worked well for us last year, as rooms can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children.

MrsGhoulofGhostbourne · 04/11/2008 17:38

Stringbean - agree re etap. When Single I used F1 (hich were a novelty in those days - now with DC we go for the Etap which has exactly what we ned, where we need it, cheap, easy to book, and you can cancel up to 5pm on the day.

clam · 13/11/2008 19:42

Does anyone know if hire cars provide a breakdown kit (including high-viz jackets)? Or is it something you'd have to pay extra for? I mean, if it's a legal requirement.... We're picking up our car from the airport, so are we really expected to pack triangles, jackets and the like in our hand-luggage?

LIZS · 14/11/2008 16:58

They normally include whatever is locally required but chains and racks are often extra. If you rent at Geneva check you have French and/or Swiss requiriments as needs be.

clam · 14/11/2008 18:25

Thanks, Liz. I knew about the chains, having been stung asked to pay for them last year, but the high-viz jackets business is news to me. The thing with the chains is, chances are you won't need them, but it's better to have them and not use them, than not have them and need them!
And just because we got away with it last year doesn't mean we will this time.
We're flying to Nice, actually (don't ask. It suits better all round), and they tend to assume there that you're going to be touring the south coast, not going up to the (southern) Alps. So winter tyres aren't available either.

slalomsuki · 17/11/2008 15:05

Just watch about the HIgh Viz jackets. In the summer the Gendarmes were stopping everyone coming off the ferry checking for high viz jackets. They wanted one for everyone in the car and wanted them visible when they looked inside.

I travel to France a lot so had been tipped off

clam · 17/11/2008 19:12

Bet they loved doing that.

Original poster

kate55 · 15/12/2008 07:02

Anyone got any more tips. Got snow chains high vis jackets bulbs etc. We are of to pila in Ita day after boxing day.

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Original poster

kate55 · 15/12/2008 08:23

bump

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snorkle · 15/12/2008 13:04

Make sure you have extra strength anti-freeze in the cooling system - It was -20C when we went once. You will use loads of screen wash if the weather is poor, but this (again extra strong stuff) is readily available over there - might be cheaper here though with the £-euro being as it is.

Lilymaid · 15/12/2008 13:14

We have stayed at the Le Val Moret on our way down to the Alps - good food in the restaurant and rooms that will accommodate up to 5 people.

snorkle · 15/12/2008 14:06

Also, if you are going through the MB tunnel it's way, way cheaper (per journey) to get a 10-journey card rather than a straight forward single or return. The 10-journey thing is transferable between vehicles, so if you know someone who may have one try and borrow it for your holiday & pay them back later.

And don't be tempted to speed in the tunnel - they're very hot on that I'm told.

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 16/12/2008 11:44

snorkle - good tip re the anti-freeze - had not thought of that.
We boguht some snow chains whicj are very easy to put on (in my driveway in daylight on a dry day!) - much easier thant teh olden days when I have bitter experiece of needing to of us to drive inot the things. These are colour coded, so should we need them, and not too terrified at the thought...

Nighbynight · 17/12/2008 22:39

we live on the edge of the german alps, and have winter tyres on the car. It is not just high in the mountains, if you have an accident anywhere in bavaria, and the road was slippery and you didnt have winter tyres, you'll get the blame even if it wasnt your fault (so Ive been told).

Also, in Austria, winter tyres are compulsory, again you dont have to be going into the mountains.

Funnily enough, the whole summer I only ever saw posh british cars (jag, merc, etc), but now that the ski season has started, I am seeing normal brits (toyotas, fords, vauxhaulls)

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