As the world begins to come back to life after the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions are slowly being lifted, we are looking ahead to the future of ski holidays in the Alps.
From our recent survey to our database, 22% of clients said that they are looking at driving instead of flying this year. The good news is that the Alps is very accessible by car from the UK. Before the low cost airlines sprung up flying from regional airports around the country considerably more people used to drive.
Choosing to jump in the car does come with its advantages. You will avoid transfer costs and paying for additional luggage, which can become costly when bringing ski equipment for the whole family. Enjoy the journey and take it all at your own pace. Planning destinations to stop and break up the journey can also form part of the holiday itself.
Rupert Longsdon, Founder and CEO has driven his family to the Alps many times, “driving to the Alps is a great way to start the holiday. The crucial thing is to make it enjoyable and very much part of the holiday and not just a means of travel to a ski resort. Our children loved it. It was their first time on a ferry, Channel Tunnel and with the benefits of audio books and ipads the journey can be more relaxing than just playing “I spy”. Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter is very relaxing on the autoroute. Also note that French motorways are a pleasure to drive compared to the ones in the UK.
How did we do it?
From Gloucestershire to Val d’Isere. We left around 8am to get a lunchtime ferry. Had lunch on the Ferry. Fish and Chips at sea, what is not to like. Arriving in France mid-afternoon with the time change we then drove the 2.75hrs to Reims the champagne capital. We had booked a family suite (two rooms) at the Novotel Suites in the centre of Reims. Nothing flash but ideal for having a stroll around the centre. The cathedral is worth a visit if you have time. We then walked into one of the many well priced Brasserie’s on the Place Drouet d’Erlon. The children were so excited by being abroad, the holiday had already started. We left after a quick breakfast at 8am and started the 7 hours to Val d’Isere stopping just for fuel and a bite to eat on route. Arriving in good time to check in to our accommodation, sort out ski hire and have a few drinks.
Heading home I know a lot of people decide to leave in good time and do the trip in a day. We did but with the extra hour and using the tunnel it is very much achievable. Others I know check out in the morning, ski all day and that evening just head an hour or so down the mountain to somewhere like Albertville or Chambery and continue the journey the next day. Depending on your changeover day this can give you an extra day on the slopes."
Journey Costs
- Average cost of driving from London to Val d’Isere via Eurotunnel - £243-308
- Average cost of driving from London to Val d’Isere via Ferry - £132-206
There are several hotels available in Reims city centre including Novotel Reims Tinqueux (£130 per night for a Family Room with breakfast) and Holiday Inn Reims City Centre (£178 per night for a Junior Suite with breakfast).
Distances to Resort
- Calais to Val d’Isere: 997km (9 hours 51 minutes)
- Calais to Morzine: 871km (8 hours 40 minutes)
- Calais to Verbier: 850km (8 hours 46 minutes)
- Calais to St Anton: 1,030km (10 hour 17 minutes)
Load up the car with everything you need with no luggage restrictions other than the size of your car. Traveling as a household and arriving at your own luxury ski chalet results in minimal social mixing and the perfect answer to ski holidays post-COVID-19.
Our team are on hand to help plan your next ski holiday. Simply contact them here to get started.
