Discussion
It's that time of year again so what cars will PHers be taking to the resorts this year, what have you taken in the past, how would you rate them and what would your dream ski holiday car be?
I've driven there twice so far. The first time was in this, an Audi A6 4.2 FSI Quattro on Goodyear Ultragrip 9 winter tyres, it was simply fantastic. We were in the resort by 3pm feeling fresh. Driving up the hill in the snow, passing loads of struggling cars sliding about is one of my more memorable driving moments.
The second time was in this Grand Cherokee CRD on Goodyear Wrangler HP tyres. It did a commendable job but it felt a longer trip than in the Audi, I was glad to get out when the journey was done. The chains were just put on as a precaution for going down the hill as I wasn't sure how the non-winter tyres would perform on snow but they proved unnecessary.
Coming up in January I'll be going again in this, my 2022 Skoda Superb 280 4x4 Sportline Plus on Michelin Crossclimate 2 tyres with some autosocks in the boot. It should be ideal given it pretty much drives itself on the motorway, is super comfortable and should handle any snow we come across with ease (should do pretty much ferry to resort on one tank of fuel too).
I've driven there twice so far. The first time was in this, an Audi A6 4.2 FSI Quattro on Goodyear Ultragrip 9 winter tyres, it was simply fantastic. We were in the resort by 3pm feeling fresh. Driving up the hill in the snow, passing loads of struggling cars sliding about is one of my more memorable driving moments.
The second time was in this Grand Cherokee CRD on Goodyear Wrangler HP tyres. It did a commendable job but it felt a longer trip than in the Audi, I was glad to get out when the journey was done. The chains were just put on as a precaution for going down the hill as I wasn't sure how the non-winter tyres would perform on snow but they proved unnecessary.
Coming up in January I'll be going again in this, my 2022 Skoda Superb 280 4x4 Sportline Plus on Michelin Crossclimate 2 tyres with some autosocks in the boot. It should be ideal given it pretty much drives itself on the motorway, is super comfortable and should handle any snow we come across with ease (should do pretty much ferry to resort on one tank of fuel too).
Symmetrical 4WD 50/50 F+R with winter tyres
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8bNVWaafLs
Ski flap too .
It’s good for the motorway bits too getting there .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8bNVWaafLs
Ski flap too .
It’s good for the motorway bits too getting there .
I went to Verbier in 1987 in a Mk2 Golf GTI, along with another identical car, with a total of 7 people between the 2 cars.
I don't know if winter tyres were a thing back then, but we went on whatever tyres they came fitted with.
There were no problems apart from one moment going down a side road in the resort where traction disappeared for about 50yds, returning just as before I hit the main road.
It was in the good old days when standard (narrow) tyres were generally fine for the snow.
I don't know if winter tyres were a thing back then, but we went on whatever tyres they came fitted with.
There were no problems apart from one moment going down a side road in the resort where traction disappeared for about 50yds, returning just as before I hit the main road.
It was in the good old days when standard (narrow) tyres were generally fine for the snow.
I can see the appeal and if you can make a bit of a road trip out if it instead of just driving there and back as fast as possible. But i have been a passenger once (Audi a4 estate 3.0tdi great car for the trip) and we said we would never drive again. Much prefer to fly!
But if I was going to do the trip again I’d pick a Quattro Audi or 4x4 Porsche. Or if I won the lotto a GTC4 Lusso. I have an Exige and if someone did that trip in one I’d shake their hand! Haha I wouldn’t fancy it!
But if I was going to do the trip again I’d pick a Quattro Audi or 4x4 Porsche. Or if I won the lotto a GTC4 Lusso. I have an Exige and if someone did that trip in one I’d shake their hand! Haha I wouldn’t fancy it!
Well, slightly lower-value here.....
.....we took our SMax up the mountain on winter tyres a few times, at least once when lots of cars had stopped to put chains on.....loads of space for the family & gear - big up the simple family motor!
That said, we moved it on to to a XC60 - 8spd auto, adaptive cruise, active main mean lamps, winter tyres - super comfy for the trek out, easy up the mountain....oh yeah, & some Thule easy-fit chains - used once, really easy to fit & worked brilliantly!
.....we took our SMax up the mountain on winter tyres a few times, at least once when lots of cars had stopped to put chains on.....loads of space for the family & gear - big up the simple family motor!
That said, we moved it on to to a XC60 - 8spd auto, adaptive cruise, active main mean lamps, winter tyres - super comfy for the trek out, easy up the mountain....oh yeah, & some Thule easy-fit chains - used once, really easy to fit & worked brilliantly!
Best ever? Disco 4 - fit proper tyres and these are unstoppable.
Silliest ever? 997.1 Turbo Cab, with a hardtop and SeaSucker fishing pole carriers used as ski racks. Surprisingly capable, but prone to beaching.
This year? XC90 T8. Fab long distance cruiser, but I suspect it will struggle if there's real snow, even with winter tyres.
Silliest ever? 997.1 Turbo Cab, with a hardtop and SeaSucker fishing pole carriers used as ski racks. Surprisingly capable, but prone to beaching.
This year? XC90 T8. Fab long distance cruiser, but I suspect it will struggle if there's real snow, even with winter tyres.
The ski trip justification is one of my favourite made-up reasons for internet people buying cars.
The number of threads I see where people have relayed the fantasy of driving to the Alps vs the number of people who actually do it is very different.
Having lived in Switzerland, most local cars up at the resorts were very ordinary cars on winter tyres. Cars on British plates typically tended to be much newer and bigger, often SUVs.
The number of threads I see where people have relayed the fantasy of driving to the Alps vs the number of people who actually do it is very different.
Having lived in Switzerland, most local cars up at the resorts were very ordinary cars on winter tyres. Cars on British plates typically tended to be much newer and bigger, often SUVs.
Flashman your thread's arrived 
I'd have thought that any 4wd with winter tyres would be fine to get there and around. The only issue with saloons and estates is, usually, a lack of ground clearance. If your undercarriage is stranded on a lot of snow your wheels aren't touching anything to get a grip on.
I'd have thought an SUV is the safest so who's bet against a supercharged Range Rover.
I'd have thought that any 4wd with winter tyres would be fine to get there and around. The only issue with saloons and estates is, usually, a lack of ground clearance. If your undercarriage is stranded on a lot of snow your wheels aren't touching anything to get a grip on.
I'd have thought an SUV is the safest so who's bet against a supercharged Range Rover.
Edited by DKL on Friday 23 December 14:28
C70R said:
The ski trip justification is one of my favourite made-up reasons for internet people buying cars.
The number of threads I see where people have relayed the fantasy of driving to the Alps vs the number of people who actually do it is very different.
Having lived in Switzerland, most local cars up at the resorts were very ordinary cars on winter tyres. Cars on British plates typically tended to be much newer and bigger, often SUVs.
Have to say I agree - the winter tyres, & chains when needed, are the main things that make the difference. The number of threads I see where people have relayed the fantasy of driving to the Alps vs the number of people who actually do it is very different.
Having lived in Switzerland, most local cars up at the resorts were very ordinary cars on winter tyres. Cars on British plates typically tended to be much newer and bigger, often SUVs.
Beyond that, for me, it is about having a comfy journey down...& you can't go far wrong with Volvo seats
mikeiow said:
C70R said:
The ski trip justification is one of my favourite made-up reasons for internet people buying cars.
The number of threads I see where people have relayed the fantasy of driving to the Alps vs the number of people who actually do it is very different.
Having lived in Switzerland, most local cars up at the resorts were very ordinary cars on winter tyres. Cars on British plates typically tended to be much newer and bigger, often SUVs.
Have to say I agree - the winter tyres, & chains when needed, are the main things that make the difference. The number of threads I see where people have relayed the fantasy of driving to the Alps vs the number of people who actually do it is very different.
Having lived in Switzerland, most local cars up at the resorts were very ordinary cars on winter tyres. Cars on British plates typically tended to be much newer and bigger, often SUVs.
Beyond that, for me, it is about having a comfy journey down...& you can't go far wrong with Volvo seats
For all the reasons for buying a 4wd SUV, driving to the Alps shouldn't need to be one of them.
C70R said:
I'm the worst snow we ever travelled in, to a friend's house up the mountain above Montreux, we were taken by an E-Class Uber on winter tyres. It wasn't exactly effortless, but there wasn't a moment where we felt unsafe.
For all the reasons for buying a 4wd SUV, driving to the Alps shouldn't need to be one of them.
I'd imagine you would only realise that after you have done it a few times. For the first time you wouldn't want to be the foreigners clearly unprepared for the climate. A bit like climbing a mountain and arriving with crampons and ice axes only to find there is a surfaced path all the way up!For all the reasons for buying a 4wd SUV, driving to the Alps shouldn't need to be one of them.
My 18 Yr old Paratrooper daughter has just finished 4 weeks training in Norway with the Norwegian Army.
The Transit County minibus from Oslo to Helmsdel return did just fine in the minus 22degree's. The County is 4x4 but most front drive cars with winter tyres are fine in the ice and snow, you really don't need anything special..
The Transit County minibus from Oslo to Helmsdel return did just fine in the minus 22degree's. The County is 4x4 but most front drive cars with winter tyres are fine in the ice and snow, you really don't need anything special..
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