Should i drive, or am i mad for thinking about it??

Hi all,

just after any sound advice re driving to a resort in either France or Austria. i've sorted my dates in January so i'm looking to find a last min chalet place (just me, myself and i going!) and then jumping in the car. Incidentally i'm looking to go on 17/18th JAn for a week so if anyone knows of a spot in a group going free then i'll stick my hand firmly in the air :-)

I've just been reading about winter driving on the continent and put myself off a bit....breaking down and freezing to death etc haha!

i have a company car so it's pretty new and fully serviced etc

Any advice appreciated..

Benny

Personally I wouldn't drive for a week, certainly not alone - too much time wasted being tired from the journey for me.

Also, and possibly more relevant. In my experience most of the good last minute offers are from people with unsold flights as well as rooms.
You may do better getting a package last minute.
As a sometimes solo traveller - the single supplement is a killer but I have grabbed good deals on this last minute in the past with tour operators.

Thanks Andy,

i did start to think that a 10hr drive alone may ruin my first day on the mountain.

i'll be ready to snap a late package deal then! :-)

Driving to some resorts in France - yes, great idea.

On your own - definitely not.

As has been said, the best deals will be last minute packages

Depends on where you are going as some of the resorts like tignes are a nightmare to drive to further south they are northern resorts are better driving you need to do your research, we have driven quite a few times, in my experience if you are going to drive leave on a Friday early evening get the crossing and then drive for 4 hours and stay in a cheap motorway hotel then drive the next day for the rest of the journey that way you can get to the resort early in Saturday morning and be skiing by midday! You can leave all your stuff in the car even if your accommodation not ready ! You can get more skiing in if you drive ! On the downside you can always pick up good deals for flying around mid to end January so it swing and roundabouts! As for snow on the roads you need snow chains they are compulsory otherwise if you are stopped and checked you won't be allowed to continue not only that if you get caught in bad weather you won't be going anywhere without chains ! You can get cheap chains on the net again you need to research ! On the plus side the roads are always fantastic and clear even if snow is falling it's their business to keep the mountains moving so that's good, plus plus plus fantastic views exciting times !

Pros and cons, as above... but do some more reading and decide if it's for you. Preparation is key, and you can go equipped for just about any eventuality; winter driving's not exactly an unknown art nowadays.

Chances are you might well find someone (on here even) to jump in and share the petrol with you which'll make it less lonely. Having your own car down there gives you loads of flexibility to, er, boldly go and explore new civil... places and/or follow the snow.

You've got a month to think about it... 8)

We had a recent related thread; was it TonyPants? He's thinking of driving down for a couple of days IIRC.

One thing though... winter tyres will make your journey a lot easier/safer/less nervous, especially in January.

For a week it's a long way to drive. I drive quite a lot in Europe and the laws change quite frequently. For Many countries in Italy for example on some but not all roads you must have snow tyres on others you must at least carry snow chains. Snow tyres are great but snow chains are a pain to put on if you know how and terrible if your not practised.

I don't think its worth the effort , stress or cost for just a week, better to fly and if necessary hire a car for a few days.

Andy

Yes winter tyres are a must if you ask me, or otherwise expect to have problems.
Also you'll probably need to carry chains, not forgetting all the other kit. See the motoring websites.

I've found alpe d'huez is easy to drive to, as is serre chevalier an hour or so further, as long as you don't mind dramatic scenery and proper mountain passes