Tips for Driving to the Alps in Winter

Every year hundreds of UK holidaymakers visit the Alps for walking, site-seeing or skiing holiday breaks. The French Alps are always a firm favourite, with the Three Valleys of Maribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens being the most well known and popular resorts. Waiting for the ski season to arrive can be a frustrating time and we know just how eager you will be to hit the slopes as soon as you possibly can. Some people choose to fly and then use tour companies to take them onto the holiday resort via coach, while others prefer to hire a car directly from the airport. There are a growing number of people who are choosing to drive the whole distance, using one of the many ferry services to transport them safely across the channel. Driving to the Alps in winter has many benefits, including lower cost, ease of transporting skis and other essentials, and fewer emissions. If driving to the Alps appeals to you, it's important to be prepared for changeable weather conditions and to consider situations such as getting stuck in the snow or having a vehicle breakdown. This is where Télépéage technology can help you get the most from your ski holiday.

Most British skiers who are visiting the French Alps will fly in to either Geneva or Chambery airport. Whichever airport you decide to fly into, you will be faced with travelling through several French tolls in order to reach your chosen ski resort. This can of course mean delays as you fumble for your Euros and add sit in traffic queues. Every second wasted is time lost that you could be spending on the piste. Wasted time can be especially frustrating when you have only booked a long weekend and feel the need to be out on the snow as much as possible. Through the use of Télépéage technology you can cut out the need to manually pay at French tolls and also the need to queue. A mounted beacon affixed to the booth of the special Télépéage traffic lane will detect your transponder as you approach and automatically open the barrier for you; meaning a quick transfer and more skiing time. We'll explore this in more detail further into our article.

Winter Driving in the French Alps Safety Tips

Be Equipped

As you might imagine, the roads surrounding the Alps are often snow-covered and, even though they are regularly cleared, a sudden downfall can quickly make driving uphill a very slippery ordeal. To avoid getting stuck, we recommend having the following items in the boot of your vehicle:

• Snow chains
• Shovel
• Tow rope
• Spare anti-freeze

Some of the mountain resorts insist on the use of snow chains in order to reach the apartments safely. There are also a number of items that are compulsory to carry in your car when driving in France. Please read our comprehensive guide to driving in France to ensure you have everything you need.

Get Connected

We're lucky to live in an age where technology has given us access to mobile phones and GPS devices. Make sure to have a charged mobile phone in the car. Should the worst happen and you run into difficulty, help will hopefully only be a phone call away. It's also a good idea to let a friend or family member know the route you're planning to take. Let them know when you're setting off and tell them you'll call them on arrival at your destination. You can also share your location using a smart phone so your friend or family member can keep track of your exact location wherever you are. This way, should you not call them, they'll be able to raise the alarm and know the roads where you might be having difficulty. A GPS device will help you stay focussed on the driving and take the stress away from map reading. On the unlikely event you have to leave the car and walk, the GPS can be taken with you, which will help to indicate the right direction to go.

Automated Payments Save Time

Although the majority of French roads are excellent and well-gritted, there are other areas of travel that can be improved upon. French tolls are particularly disruptive during the winter months for several reasons. If it’s sleeting and blowing a gale, opening a window to reach out and pay can let a great deal of cold and wet air into the vehicle. Not such a problem for some people, but for younger and older family members this can be very uncomfortable, leading to upset children, which again makes driving to the Alps more difficult.

If the ground is icy and slippery, having to stop and start your vehicle can lead to wheel spin or loss of grip. Should you have an older car, the engine could cut out altogether, leaving you temporarily stranded. Although a telepeage toll tag isn't going to help you half way up a mountain, it will certainly make reaching your given destination more enjoyable and straightforward. Using a telepeage tag means that you don't have to keep stopping at every toll booth, as automatic payment is collected from the telepeage tag as you pass through the telepeage lane. By avoiding the queues you'll reach your destination sooner, and not only will you start enjoying your holiday earlier, you might avoid poor weather that's approaching as well.

The hassle-free transfer means that you arrive at your resort in a relaxed mood, ready to enjoy the challenges of the slopes and the breathtaking scenery of the French Alps.

First Aid

Having a well-stocked first-aid kit is a good idea for any vehicle, but when travelling through cold conditions, it's wise to add some additional items. A survival blanket is important as, if anyone in the car is hurt or should you have to wait outside, it will help to keep you warm until help arrives. Other blankets should also be packed if you have space.

Let there be Light

The final item of equipment that we recommend taking with you is a reliable torch. A torch will not only be useful should you have to walk, leaving the vehicle behind, but should your car become stuck in the snow and ice at night it'll make the task of putting on snow chains and digging yourself out all the easier.

Although the above list for driving in the Alps is only very general it's a good idea to seriously think about the items you should have with you and that will help you be prepared for the unexpected. For more information about driving in France and using our Telepeage toll tags, please read our guide to getting to France by car. You can also buy your toll tag here.