DRIVING THE ALPS

How do you like to get to the mountains? For some it’s all about the jet plane. For others, nothing can compare to the extra freedom of your own set of wheels. One way gets you there a little faster, it’s true, but taking your own vehicle gets you there in style.

BETTER FOR YOU & THE PLANET

Let’s break it down. Firstly, there’s the nobrainer on cost, particularly if there are two or more of you in the car. You’re obviously laying out for fuel + tolls + Eurotunnel, but it compares pretty favourably to the alternative costs: travel to airport + airfare + resort transfer. There’s no hanging about either. If you take a Eurotunnel shuttle you’ll be hitting the autoroute in Calais just 35 minutes after driving onto a train from the Folkestone terminal. Self-driving is also a much lower CO2-emitter. The more people you have in the car, the fewer emissions per person, and of course the more fuel-efficient your car, the better for the environment (and your wallet).

YOU’RE IN CONTROL

Taking your own set of wheels means you’re in total control of the whole journey. There’s no hanging about for your bags or waiting on your resort transfer, no danger of excess baggage charges and zero risk of your skis getting lost en route. Having a car in the resort can be a big bonus too. Many area lift passes cover resorts a little distance away (as well as the local slopes), all of which are easy to get to in a car.

PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY

The fast, smooth motorway down from the Channel avoids most big cities en route to the Alps, so congestion en route is unusual. When heading to the French Alps, seasoned snow patrollers tend to take the autoroute via Reims (A26), Dijon (A31) and Macon (A6), then swing east towards Geneva and up to the mountains. If you really can’t wait to hit the slopes, then buy an Emovis Tag from Eurotunnel before you leave home, which means you can whizz through the ‘hands-free’ lanes. Before setting out, make sure your car insurance covers you in Europe. There’s a checklist you’ll need to cover: headline beam-benders stuck to your lights, and make sure a warning triangle, first aid kit and breath test are in your car, as well as snow chains for your tyres when travelling into mountainous regions.

Bon voyage and enjoy your Alpine adventure!

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CHALET BACCHUS | COURCHEVEL

LADIES’ SKI CLUB CENTENARY

After last winter’s commemoration of 100 years of the slalom, Mürren will celebrate another anniversary as the Ladies’ Ski Club, which was founded in the resort’s Palace Hotel in January 1923, hits its centenary too. The LSC will mark the occasion on 23 January 2023 with a costumed slalom race – all ladies welcome – and a reception at the Mürren Tourist Office. There will be a celebration dinner at the Hotel Eiger and a brunch in the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn (2,970m).

MIHA MATAVZ KITZBUEHEL TOURISMUS

2027 HOSTS ANNOUNCED

Events at the end of a ski season often get skipped over as we move into summer mode, so it’s worth noting that Britain scored a very rare Crystal Globe last spring. “The Crystal Globe has always been a dream for me, but I really didn’t know if I’d ever manage to get to fight for it,” said Team GB’s World Champion snowboard cross racer Charlotte Bankes.

GONDOLA NAMED RYDING

Dave Ryding has had a gondola cabin named in his honour on the Hahnenkamm-Bahn lift at Kitzbühel – after his historic win earlier this year. “Rarely has a victory by an athlete received such undivided approval among many ski fans. The affable Briton Dave Ryding became slalom winner 85 years after the last British victory by Britain's Evelyn Pinching in 1937 in the women’s downhill,” a Kitzbühel spokesperson said.

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