Self Drive Ski Holidays
Self Drive Ski Holidays to the French Alps for flexibility & an extra day skiing!
- Self Drive for up to £150 discount (p/p)
- An extra 1-2 days skiing
- Save on Flights supplements
- Enjoy faster roads on the continent
See our early bird ski 2011 deals
FOR A BEST QUOTE: Call or Email us now
For our best Ferry / Snowtrain deals
| Date | Resort | Chalet | Price Now | Price Was | Specials |
| 22 Jan 2012 | Morzine | Chalet Well | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | Self Travel |
| 22 Jan 2012 | Val disere | Chalet Fjord | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | Self Travel |
| 29 Jan 2012 | Sainte Foy | Chalet Bonhomie | £407.15 | £924 | Self Travel 15% Off |
| 29 Jan 2012 | Les arcs | Chalet Killy | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | Self Travel |
| 29 Jan 2012 | Les gets | Chalet Yeti | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | Self Travel |
| 12 Feb 2012 | Tignes | Chalet Lavachey | £725 | £1274 | Self Travel |
| 12 Feb 2012 | Val Thorens | Chalet Lola_Des Neiges | £745 | £1284 | Self Travel |
| 12 Feb 2012 | Les gets | Chalet Jean Claude | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | Self Travel |
| 26 Feb 2012 | Les arcs | Chalet Haute Neiges (Des Neiges) | £509 | £1044 | Self Travel |
| 26 Feb 2012 | Sainte foy | Chalet Bonhomie | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | Self Travel |
| 26 Feb 2012 | Tignes | Chalet Neve | £529 | £1044 | Self Travel |
| 4 Mar 2012 | Tignes | Chalet Napoleon | £634.5 | £1074 | Self Travel 10% Off |
| 4 Mar 2012 | Courchevel | Chalet Engen | £584.1 | £1044 | Self Travel 10% Off |
| 11 Mar 2012 | Les Arcs | Chalet Christabelle (Des Neiges) | £609 | £1014 | Self Travel |
| 11 Mar 2012 | Tignes | Chalet Neve | £509 | £994 | Self Travel |
Self Drive Ski Holidays
We can offer a self drive discount in all of our ski chalets and ski hotels. Driving to resort or taking the Snow train often has the benefit of an extra day or two days skiing as well as increased flexibility over luggage and travel times. For driving, all our resorts are approximately 600 miles from Calais, or an 8 to 9 hour drive with rest stops on the French side. Drivers should allow approximately £35 each way for tolls, and we would recommend booking ferry crossings in advance, especially for peak periods.
Resort Drive Times
| Morzine | 7.5 - 8 hrs |
| Les Gets | 7.5 - 8 hrs |
| Chamonix | 8 hrs |
| Meribel | 9 hrs |
| Val Thorens | 9 hrs |
| Sainte Foy | 9.5 hrs |
| Les Arcs | 9 hrs |
| Tignes | 10 hrs |
| Val'Isere | 10 hrs |
| Alpe D'huez | 10.5 hrs |
Self Drive Discount
You may deduct £70 per person (£100 at peak season) from our "with flight" holiday prices for all self drive or self travel ski holidays. For a holiday quote - call us on 08700 111360 or Email us here.
Tunnel or Ferry?
We would recommend either using the Dover to Calais Ferry with P&O who are our preferred provider, or the Channel Tunnel which leaves from Folkestone to Calais.
Driving in France
All drivers are required by law to keep a copy of their vehicle registration documents (V5), Insurance and driving license. You may be asked to present these at a toll or border, and failure to do so will result in a fine of up to 130 euros. Also required by law is a High Viz Jacket and Triangle. Further to this we would recommend that you carry a fire extinguisher and spare bulb kit. All these items are generally available from the AA shops in Channel Tunnel or Ferry Terminals.
For an enjoyable Drive
Driving to the French Alps often takes just 7-9 hours driving and two petrol station fill-ups on the French side. Drivers can often benefit from cheaper petrol prices and clear roads which make the journey less tiring. Rest stops or half way stops can also be educational for the family, and a visit to many of the historic French sites en route is not too lengthy a detour.
Self Drive Tips
French motorway service stations are very well stocked, and those nearer to Geneva or Chambery tend to carry a full compliment of snow chains to fit all cars - and at a third of the cost they are in the UK. All service stations take UK credit cards and have adequate refreshment facilities. In fact the only thing they seem not to do well is coffee!
Ferry/Tunnel Costs
We can book Ferry or Tunnel as part of your holiday package. Simply deduct £70 or £100 per person from our "with flights" Holiday costand add the cost below whic his for a return trip by car on the Channel Tunnel or Ferry.
| ethod | Dec12, Jan3,9, Apr10 | Dec19,27, Feb12 Apr3 | Jan16,23,30 Feb6,20,27 Mar6,13,20,27 |
| Ferry (Dover) | £99/car (9 pass) | £139/car (9 pass) | £119/car (9 pass) |
| Ferry (Hull) | £99/car (2 pass) | £139/car (2 pass) | £119/car (2 pass) |
| Channel Tunnel | £129/car (9 pass) | £189/car (9 pass) | £169/car (9 pass) |
Ski Drive
Driving to the Alps for your skiing holiday will give you an unrivalled freedom to explore the area surrounding your chosen resort. You won’t need to worry about airline baggage allowances if you take the ‘ski drive’ option, so you can bring all the outfit changes you need to look stylish on the slopes. You’ll also avoid excess baggage charges for bringing your own skis.
If you’d like a ski drive holiday, you’ve got two options: either drive your own car out to your Alpine Elements accommodation, or fly out with Alpine Elements and then hire a car from one of the many reputable companies you can find at the airport. There are many resorts in the Alps where you will benefit from having your own vehicle: some of our recommendations for a ski drive holiday are below.
Sainte Foy, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne
The Tarantaise offers great skiing, but you’ll have an even better holiday if you take the ski drive option as you will also be able to take advantage of the huge ski areas in the neighbouring mega-resorts that are within a stone's throw of each other: Val D’Isere neighbours Tignes, and Les Arcs can be accessed via Villaroger just 15 mins drive down the road.
Chamonix
A perfect location for your ski drive trip, having a car here means your ski options are almost unlimited. Take a trip over to Courmayeur, included on the Mont Blanc Unlimited lift pass, and ski beautiful tree-lined runs in relative tranquillity, ending your day with a famed Italian pizza. You’ll also benefit from flexibility when travelling between Chamonix’s ski areas of Grands Montets, Brevent, Flegere and Le Tour.
Morzine and Les Gets
These two northern French Alp resorts are very easy to drive to and often take between 7 and 8 hours from Calais. Having a car also allows the self drive skier to explore surrounding resorts such as Saint Jean D'Aulps which is a hidden gem of a resort. It also allows better acces with what is quite a sprawling resort, a definiate advantage when lugging kids and skis around!
Ski Drive Considerations
If you do decide to take the ski drive option for your Alpine Elements ski holiday this year, remember you will need special equipment for driving on snowy mountain roads. Snow tires and snow chains are essential, and remember that in France you’ll need a warning triangle, high visibility jacket and a spare set of lightbulbs in the glovebox of the car as these are legal requirements in France.
Alpine driving can be a challenge, but the freedom that comes with a ski drive holiday cannot be matched, and many say they could never return to a traditional flights and transfers package. You’ll very much enjoy the exciting and scenic mountains roads, and appreciate the opportunity to visit attractions outside your chosen resort. Of course, you’ll also enjoy the substantial self-drive discount offered by Alpine Elements.
To Note:
Dover Ferry is for a car & up to 9 passengers.
Hull Ferry is for a car and 2 passengers. Additional passengers are £15pp
Snowtrain times are Saturday evening out & back. We are a Sun/Sun operator, so you will need to find accom on the Sat night in Bourg St Maurice. The Snowtrain supplements quoted are to add to our standard "with flights" holiday price. All costs above are a guide & subject to availability
See Ski Holiday Travel for UK airport options and distances and further reading
