Ski-drive weekend - is it realistic?
Discussion
...and if not, can anyone recommend anywhere that's convenient for a conventional (air travel) ski weekend?
Don't have time for a week this year, but me and a mate were talking about getting a long weekend's skiing in somewhere. Then the next question was whether or not it'd be realistic to drive there. Presumably you'd spend way more time driving than skiing?
Don't have time for a week this year, but me and a mate were talking about getting a long weekend's skiing in somewhere. Then the next question was whether or not it'd be realistic to drive there. Presumably you'd spend way more time driving than skiing?
Chris71 said:
...and if not, can anyone recommend anywhere that's convenient for a conventional (air travel) ski weekend?
Don't have time for a week this year, but me and a mate were talking about getting a long weekend's skiing in somewhere. Then the next question was whether or not it'd be realistic to drive there. Presumably you'd spend way more time driving than skiing?
Yes it can be done, but you'll be knackered at the end of it. It really depends where you live in the UK. When I lived near Dover friends at work would leave around 4 or 5 Friday afternoon, drive down to the French Alps, be on the slopes 1st thing Saturday morning, leaving late Sunday afternoon & being back in Dover around 6 on the Monday morning.Don't have time for a week this year, but me and a mate were talking about getting a long weekend's skiing in somewhere. Then the next question was whether or not it'd be realistic to drive there. Presumably you'd spend way more time driving than skiing?
I usually find the difference between flying & driving time is little different (assuming your down south) By the time you've left for the airport, got to the airport 2 hours early, faffed about, delayed flights, hired a car or waited for a transfer the other end etc. There is'nt much in it. Plus driving out gives you the flexablity at the other end to head to the best snow. If you've got an eco Tdi you can normally make it to the lower valley areas on one tank from Calais (ish)
I normally do a couple long weekends with a mate, drive out to where ever the snow is good, stay down in the valley somewhere cheap & go from there.
I'd suggest head to Tignes/Flaine area as its about the nearest, also some good skiing to be had in that area in the middle of france called the Massif which is nearer & cheaper. Ideal for a weekend if the weather is good! which it currently is, they've had a big dumpage the last few weeks.
Might be up for a wee trip soon
I normally do a couple long weekends with a mate, drive out to where ever the snow is good, stay down in the valley somewhere cheap & go from there.
I'd suggest head to Tignes/Flaine area as its about the nearest, also some good skiing to be had in that area in the middle of france called the Massif which is nearer & cheaper. Ideal for a weekend if the weather is good! which it currently is, they've had a big dumpage the last few weeks.
Might be up for a wee trip soon
My skiing (and some might argue driving) need all they help it can get - I think if I was struggling to keep my eyes open after an overnight drive it might lose the point a little.
Coming from North London, so not too bad, but we are already a couple of hours from the tunnel at legal speeds. We've also got a choice of curiously thirsty petrol Focus or Panda 100HP for transport too, so I would anticipate quite a few costly refuelling stops. Damn it, where's that continent crushing GT?
Coming from North London, so not too bad, but we are already a couple of hours from the tunnel at legal speeds. We've also got a choice of curiously thirsty petrol Focus or Panda 100HP for transport too, so I would anticipate quite a few costly refuelling stops. Damn it, where's that continent crushing GT?
Drove through the night in my mates mile munching Merc a while back. From Calais to Val Thorens, it was about 600 miles..ish. I'm used to long distance driving, and I was knackered when we got there. The drive back, wasn't so bad, but we did that in mainly daylight, and split the driving.
It can be done, but it isn't easy.
It can be done, but it isn't easy.
You can drive to the Alps, but you'll want three drivers. Fly-drive via Geneva takes about the same time, costs only a little more, but is much easier on everyone. We normally do it at this time of year, mostly to get away from Cliff Bloody Richard, but we've now got a "Likkle Monkey" to consider.
Have fun!
Have fun!
Chris71 said:
Hmm, fun as road tripping it sounded, I think flying would be the better option in reality. Any particular tour operators or resorts worth checking out?
may i suggest a PHer who does ski holidays here http://www.kandmchalets.co.uk/ cant remember his ph name but his name is marcellous.HTH
Matt
Edited by The Tea Boy on Thursday 1st January 17:26
have done it quite a few times.
normally leave London area Friday evening, drive thru the night, arrive at ski slopes on the Saturday.
as close of piste, drive somewhere else, find accommodation, ski all day Sunday, drive home in the evening, getting home early hours of Monday morning.
2 drivers minimum, tiring, but great fun.
normally leave London area Friday evening, drive thru the night, arrive at ski slopes on the Saturday.
as close of piste, drive somewhere else, find accommodation, ski all day Sunday, drive home in the evening, getting home early hours of Monday morning.
2 drivers minimum, tiring, but great fun.
I use to fly London City -> Bern. Desk (near Liverpool Street station) to Chalet in about 4.5 hours. Early plane back on monday morning after two full days skiing.
Unfortunately that flight is now cancelled. But there are plenty of ski resorts within 2 hours of Basel, Zurich and to a lesser extent Geneva.
Driving might well cost nearly as much as flying and renting a car for the weekend, depending on when and where.
Calais to the Swiss alps is realistically about 9 hours (though I wouldn't be surprised if PH'ers had done it in 7)
Unfortunately that flight is now cancelled. But there are plenty of ski resorts within 2 hours of Basel, Zurich and to a lesser extent Geneva.
Driving might well cost nearly as much as flying and renting a car for the weekend, depending on when and where.
Calais to the Swiss alps is realistically about 9 hours (though I wouldn't be surprised if PH'ers had done it in 7)
If you want somewhere handy for short trips 
I can suggest a great little chalet/hotel at Tignes Le lac, they cater for short breaks, very good prices too like £90-£150 for 3 nights with half board & they'll collect you from Geneva airport for about £50 return. Great little place, handy for Tignes/Valdesere/Sainte Foy/Breviers www.mountainsunltd.com/chalet/chalet-hotel-les-mel...
I can suggest a great little chalet/hotel at Tignes Le lac, they cater for short breaks, very good prices too like £90-£150 for 3 nights with half board & they'll collect you from Geneva airport for about £50 return. Great little place, handy for Tignes/Valdesere/Sainte Foy/Breviers www.mountainsunltd.com/chalet/chalet-hotel-les-mel...Driving sounds mad. I have done the weekend skiing trips many many times as I have family in the French Alps. I've done it by car train and plane, the latter is most definitely the best. Easyjet to Geneva then transfer to a local resort is the easiest and fastest. My record time is 5 hours door to door, home to resort. The Grand Massif (Morillon) and Les Gets / Morzine are all within about one hour drive of GVA.
I wouldnt drive,be knackered before you get there let alone driving back, prob be cheaper to fly and quicker and safer!! I got cheap flight to Lyon last year, hired a car and was in Montgenevre (next door to Claviere/Sestriere) in time for an afternoon ski. If you could get a Fri eve flight you can be there in time for a decent nights kip and couple of good days skiing. If you look around you would probably get a weeks chalet board for less than a weekend will end up costing tho. Wish you luck
I'm off to Austria on Sat, I'll save a bit of snow for you
I'm off to Austria on Sat, I'll save a bit of snow for you
R TOY said:
If you look around you would probably get a weeks chalet board for less than a weekend will end up costing tho. Wish you luck
I'm off to Austria on Sat, I'll save a bit of snow for you
Cheers. I'm off to Austria on Sat, I'll save a bit of snow for you
It's holiday time which is the issue though sadly, otherwise it'd be a week or two as usual.
Hmm, a mate's family has a timeshare in Fort Bill. Maybe try something a bit different...
I timed myself going from Chamonix to Leicester and it took 13 hours. Assuming you and whoever goes are prepared for that amount of driving, it's do-able.
I have also taken the Easy Jet flight from Luton to Geneva, then the train to Verbier. That in all honesty was a pain, especially for the return when you know you can't afford to miss the flight and have to add time to the journey "just in case".
I did go to Verbier by coach - and although I was initially skeptical because it wasn't packed it was actually a good solution, plus it was dirt cheap (Verbier apartment included a coach ticket for free as it was run by a coach operator).
So I think going by road is the way to go, and the more there are of you the more economical it gets.
I have also taken the Easy Jet flight from Luton to Geneva, then the train to Verbier. That in all honesty was a pain, especially for the return when you know you can't afford to miss the flight and have to add time to the journey "just in case".
I did go to Verbier by coach - and although I was initially skeptical because it wasn't packed it was actually a good solution, plus it was dirt cheap (Verbier apartment included a coach ticket for free as it was run by a coach operator).
So I think going by road is the way to go, and the more there are of you the more economical it gets.
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