driving through Europe to the alps
Driving to the Alps is something everyone should try at least once. Alpine roads include some of the most beautiful scenery you are likely to see while driving and the advantages of having your own car in resort are considerable.
And if you are going out to work the season, a car can in resort can be very useful for shopping, day trips or even for getting onto that first lift first!
Pros and Cons | Routes
| Cross-Channel Options | Safe
Driving
Maintenance | Don't Forget…
| Car Hire | Airport
Transfers
|
Pros: - Door-to-door convenience |
Cons: - Driving conditions in the mountains can be hazardous - Chains can sometimes become compulsory - Ferries/tunnel tickets can be expensive with only 1/2 passengers - Traffic jams are possible at peak periods (but then again you could be in a transfer coach) |
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Routes:
Travelling to France or Switzerland, we suggest you take the Autoroute via Rheims, Dijon and Macon. At Macon you can either cut in to Geneva for Switzerland and Northern French resorts, or head to Lyon for the rest of France. A very good Euro route planner is below.
Calais to Chamonix is 560m (900km). Rumours abound for exactly how quickly you can do this journey - less than 6 hours is rare (although it is dual carriage way all the way). More commonly, 8-9 hours should see you comfortably. Add another hour for Tarentaise resorts and two for Southern French resorts.
Natives Opinon:
Take the Autoroute over the Route National - pay the tolls,
you'll get there quicker and European motorways are a joy.
For Eastern Swiss resorts, you should take the Northern route to Basel via Metz and Strasbourg. For Austria, which a pretty long journey by car (15 hours+), head to Strasbourg again, but then aim for Ulm, then Munich depending on your destination.
For Italy, head to Chamonix and (if it's open) take the Mont Blanc Tunnel. At the time of writing, the tunnel is closed although is due to open again in October 2001. There is considerable debate as to whether it should allow freight traffic, but it will almost certainly allow private cars access.
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Cross
Channel Options:
The easiest way to book Eurotunnel, ferries or Eurostar
is via Ferrybooker.
Natives Opinion:
Just IOHO, the Shuttle wins hands down over the Ferry…unless
you are claustrophobic
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Safe Driving:
Even if there's no snow on the road, you should always be aware of possible black ice or the next unmarked hairpin bend. And if there is snow, don't take too long before putting on your chains.
In many cases they're not necessary, particularly if you have snow tires, but depending on the temperature, wind and depth of snow, in most cases chains (or a 4x4) are the only safe option.
If you've never used chains before, you should definitely practice first. When it's dark, snowing heavily and -10C outside, you'll want to get it done as quickly as possible.
It's when you're going downhill that you'll need to be particularly cautious. Stay in a low gear, keep your speed down and brake where possible by using the engine. Avoid using the brake on bends in particular. Easier said than done of course, but if you do feel the wheels lock and start to slide then steer into the slide.
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Maintenance:
- Find a covered garage if possible.
- Failing that, park on flat ground and/or leave the car facing
downhill.
- Leave the car in gear with the handbrake off (it could freeze
up)
- Lift the wipers away from the windscreen
- Remember where you parked it - there could be under a metre
of snow when you come back!
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Don't Forget:
- Driving licence, Insurance details and vehicle registration
- Chains
- Ski Racks (buy them at Autorack)
- Warning triangle (you'd be surprised how important it is
to many Eurocops)
- Map
- Your toothbrush :-)
