Driving To France

Due to my girlfriend being a teacher we are restricted to skiing at half term. This year we were planning on getting a last minute deal to save some money. Unfortunately, all of the holidays for next weekend are drying up and the prices are still sky high. I'm thinking about driving out. Which are the closest resorts to the uk? How long will it take to drive from Calais?

Does anyone know of any cracking package deals going?

Ta.

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/8/5073.page

Try this thread

Thanks Bandit, I will have a look.

We've done this and stayed in Brides-les-Bains which is at the base of Meribel - you get a 25 min gondola up to the ski area.

Very good value and I think there may be some deals around.

should only take about 8-9hrs with 2 drivers

The nearest places to drive to are the ones around Geneva – they take about 8 hours (with one break). Place like the Grand Massif and Portes du Soleil are a good bet, as are Megeve, St Gervais and Chamonix.

Staying in the valley-bottom towns is always a possibility if the resorts themselves are booked up. A 15 minute drive up the mountain isn’t the best way to start and end your day, but beats not skiing at all!

Check out the websites of some of the resorts (just google the place names, followed by office de tourism) and give them a phone - they may still know of stuff available.

Finally, check out a decent map and look for some of the less well known resorts and check them out – if the big travel companies don’t go there, there’s more chance of them having some room. I’m thinking of places like Praz de Lys, Samoens, Morillon, Notre-dame-de Bellcombe, St Jeand’Aulps, Praz sur Arly. There’s loads of them! We get tunnel-vision with our ski resorts in UK – there’s loads most people don’t even know about. The majority will have decent skiing, particularly at the moment.

Good luck – tough being saddled with a teacher - I know how you feel.

Have you tried the St Martin de Belleville/Les Menuires tourist office? just google it. They have availability in Les Menuires and possibly the much more attractive St Martin for the 14th. It takes about 8 1/2 hours from Calais BUT if you can set off in the night and get there about Lunch, I would - the queues into the Tarentaise Valley can be horrendous. Also try the Pierre et Vacances website for what they have available. We stayed in La Lauze in Plagne 1800 which was ok. I would avoid Les Coches though as it is always cold and icy down there.

Good Luck