Skiers are a hardy lot. While recent events have put holidaymakers off booking their summer sun fix, it seems the queues for the ski lifts in Europe will be as long as ever this winter. However, tour operators say they are noticing an increase in the number of skiers opting to drive to their favourite resort rather than fly.
Ski-drive specialist Motours reports bookings are up 30 per cent on last year. 'After recent events, people perceive Europe as a safe destination and driving as the safest way to get there,' said managing director Keith Swift. Eurotunnel started offering ski drive packages for the first time last year. A spokeswoman said that by the end of October the company had already sold more packages than in the whole of last winter.
There are lots of advantages to taking your car to the Alps: you can visit more than one resort, you can take as much gear as you want, and, if you get your timing right, you can even get an extra day's skiing by making best use of the weekends. But there are also lots of potential pitfalls if you are not prepared. Read our checklist for the lowdown on what you need to know before setting off.
Checklist
Driving licence: If you haven't got one of the new UK driving licences with your photograph on it you need either to get one or make sure you have some form of photo ID. Your passport will suffice; if you don't want to carry it around with you whenever you get in the car then get an International Drivers Permit to use with your old licence. Forms are available from the Post Office.
Insurance: Your insurance may not cover you on the European mainland - ring up and find out exactly how much insurance will cost, and make sure to mention you're going to the Alps. It's better to be sure than to argue about cover once the bill comes.
Vehicle breakdown recovery: Even if you don't have this in the UK, you need it for the Continent. A breakdown could ruin your holiday, and if your car has to be returned to the UK prices can quickly spiral out of control. Breakdown insurance - and motoring assistance under that insurance - is available from AA Five Star insurance (0800 444500), Britannia Rescue (01484 514848) and RAC Travel Assistance (0800 550055). Prices start at£46.50 for eight days with AA (£41.50 for members).
Ice chains: You must have ice chains in your car once you get to the Alps, or you could be fined. The better quality chains cost more because they are easier to fit, worth bearing in mind when you consider the conditions in which you may have to fit them. Try specialist Rud-Chains (01227 276 611) Prices from £48 a pair.
A good map: The AA Touring Atlas of France is a good buy (£11.99)
And for the car: Make sure it is fully serviced, topped up with anti-freeze, and carry a windscreen scraper and anti-freeze.
Tolls
Depending on the route, the tolls across France will be approximately £35 (£70 return).
Sample prices
A return Dover-Calais ferry crossing for two adults and two children (up to 15 years old), with P&O Stena Line (0870 600 0613; www.posl.com) costs from £200 (+£28 per additional adult). The price includes AA Five Star Europe personal winter-sports cover and breakdown assistance. A similar package with SeaFrance (0870 571 1711; www.seafrance.com) costs from £245 (based on a car with two adults and two children travelling for nine days in January). Other useful numbers: Hoverspeed (0870 241 3873; www.hoverspeed.com) and Eurotunnel (0870 535 3535; www.eurotunnel.com).
Tour operator packages
Leisure Direction (020 8324 4042; www.leisuredirection.co.uk) has 34 resorts in the French Alps including some 'all-inclusive' resort packages where the price includes half-board accommodation, six days' lift pass, ski and boot rental plus crossing. Prices start at £509pp for a week. Other operators include Eurotunnel Motoring Holidays (0870 333 2001; www.eurotunnel.com); Lagrange (020 7371 6111; lagrange-holidays.com); and Motours (01892 677777; www.motours.com
Breaking the journey
Most tour operators will organise your stopover accommodation. If you are travelling independently check out budget hotel chains such as Campanile (www.campanile.fr) and Novotel (www.novotel.com) which offer accommodation from £16 pp per night.
Tunnel vision
The recent accident in the Gotthard tunnel has once more focused attention on safety on alpine routes. The tunnel, which links the Swiss towns of Göschenen with Airolo, 10 miles from the Italian border, will be closed for the foreseeable future. The disaster may well delay the opening of France's Mont Blanc tunnel which has been closed since its fatal fire in March 1999 and which was scheduled partially to reopen next month. These closures should not have any effect on British skiers, however, since most head for the western slopes: a shorter journey which allows access to resorts such as the Three Valleys.
Nevertheless it is a good idea to check the situation before you travel. Check out www.atmb.net for the latest on tunnel closures. For general information on European road and traffic problems visit the AA website: www.theaa.com or Teletext.
