A Better Way To Reach the 3 Valleys

A new way of reaching the 3 Valleys is about to launch thanks to the initiative of a British entrepreneur, fed up with the usual choices of hire car, transfer bus or private transfer/taxi.

The idea behind 'FluidCar' (fluidcar.com), which launches on March 1st, is that you arrive in Geneva and are met by a Fluidcare employee, who escorts you to your luxury 4x4 vehicle – this season an Audi Q5. You drive to the 3 Valleys, unload your bags and hand over the vehicle to another Fluidcar employee. Then when it's time to head back, the process is reversed.

So it's a kind of one way car rental but with crucial advantages such as no queuing at the rental pick up desk on arrival and knowing your car is ready for mountain driving without paying supplements. It's also far cheaper than conventional rental companies offer, if they offer such a service at all.

In comparison to the alternatives on offer Fluidcar also means no waiting for bus shuttles, no in-resort parking fees, no fixing chains en route to resort, winter tyres are standard on all vehicles, no worrying about a car that has been rented sitting unused during the holiday, no hassle having to dig the car out at the end of the holiday, no hunting for fuel en route to the airport - fuel fees are included in the price and it's door-to-door; no more drop-offs at the centre of the resort.

FluidCar currently costs £225 one way or £450 for a return journey to the Three Valleys.

FluidCar's Audi Q5's easily offering room for a large family or a group of friends with ski-size luggage plus roof racks for ski bags on all vehicles. FluidCar is currently evaluating vehicles from Land Rover and BMW as well as the Audi before making fleet commitments ahead of next season (2014-15) when it expects to offer a much expanded service to a wider range of resorts.

"After extensive research within the ski industry last season, we have launched this trial service in a bid to bring car sharing to mountain resorts which will transform the transfer experience whilst also reducing travel costs considerably," said Mike Rosam, FluidCar founder and Director, "Further, car sharing has been proven to be significantly greener than car rental and will bring additional benefits to mountain resort environments by reducing traffic and parking congestion problems."

"Car sharing delivers an easy and cost effective transfer solution for independent travellers. Forget the hairdryer-style rental cars that struggle up mountain roads to your resort, or paying £700**+ for a family size hire car, our 4x4 SUVs are safe and reliable, plus you won't be wasting time at the airport organising car rental paperwork, or indeed money on a car that sits idle in a car park; our FluidCar reps will be waiting outside arrivals at Geneva airport and come directly to clients accommodation with our luxurious cars, ready to hand over the keys. Nobody else offers this service within the ski industry," Mr Rosam added.

FluidCar is developing a number of new online systems and tools which the company says will enable shared transfers and in-resort occasional hire as well as some additional booking features launching ahead of the 2014-15 season.

that's what it cost me to drive round Europe including ferries and o/night stops..in a smaller car mind yo...Hull;Rotterdam>Geneva>VThorens>L2A>Campitello>Folgarida>London

Fair enough Dave, but you had a different itinery.

The offer here is a comparison with current transfer methods.

For a party of 5, that would price a £45 each, and for 4 would be £56 each. That c/w €65, (£54), from 3VT. So, maybe a marginal cost gain with 5 passengers, but the fuel cost situation is unclear.

I guess a good benefit is that you will not be restricted to 3VT's pre-set times.

You have to add £15 for damage waiver so the return cost is really £465.

Just checked the Cool Bus website. Geneva to Meribel return is 640 euros equivalent to about £530. We've used Cool Bus for our last two holidays. You walk straight to their desk opposite arrivals at Geneva and then 5 minutes later you are on your way and then dropped off directly outside your accommodation. On the return leg, you are picked up at your accommodation and dropped off directly outside departures at the airport. The driver is skilled, is driving a vehicle on winter tyres and even helps you carry some of your luggage in and out of the airport and your accommodation!

And you don't have to worry about driving for at least 3 hours each way when you are likely to be tired or dealing with heavy traffic on unfamiliar roads or in bad weather.

I would pay the small premium each time to be chauffeured.

I think that's pretty expensive myself, plus you still have to drive there. I'd much rather go on the train from London and then get the bus to the resort (around a half hour bus journey or something like that for about 15 euros return).

I think BB is describing Chamonix Express/Mountain Drop Offs etc. Drive you to and from droppoff location and help you with bags but at 1/10 of the price. I guess if you are paid in the region of 500 Euro an hr (approx 1MEuro a year) then removing the 30min wait each end would actually have a cost benefit. Shuttle bus for me this year then :-).

"Geneva to Meribel return is 640 euros equivalent to about £530. We've used Cool Bus for our last two holidays. You walk straight to their desk opposite arrivals at Geneva and then 5 minutes later you are on your way and then dropped off directly outside your accommodation. On the return leg, you are picked up at your accommodation and dropped off directly outside departures at the airport. The driver is skilled, is driving a vehicle on winter tyres and even helps you carry some of your luggage in and out of the airport and your accommodation!

And you don't have to worry about driving for at least 3 hours each way when you are likely to be tired or dealing with heavy traffic on unfamiliar roads or in bad weather."