Europe offers some of the best ski resorts in the world, so load up the car with all the family or a group of friends, hit the road and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle will whisk you across the channel from Folkestone to Calais. Enjoy the delights of travelling in your own personal space, without having to worry about baggage allowance and tedious airport queues.
Le Shuttle is the quickest way to get to the continent - the crossing takes just 35 minutes and you’re closer to the motorway when you arrive compared to the ferry terminals, so you can get on your way quicker too. If you splash out on a Flexiplus upgrade, you can just turn up and get straight onto the next train without queuing. Stretch your legs and pick up some refreshments in the Flexiplus lounge (on both sides of the Channel) for the full VIP treatment.
Top 10 reasons to choose a self-drive ski holiday with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
1 Greater flexibility
Having your car readily available once you arrive at the resort allows you to explore the area, transport your ski gear to and from the slopes, depart with ease should there be any resort closures due to Covid-19 outbreaks, and best of all.… be in charge of your own time schedule!
2 Avoid the airport
No waiting around for hours, queuing for check in and security, and dealing with the crowds. Just get in your car and go
3 Lower cost
Driving to France doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour, it’s possible to shop around for fuel prices and avoid toll roads in some places. The cost of flights often comes with extra fees for ski equipment. If you have multiple people in your car it’s likely to work out cheaper than flights anyway.
4 Chase the best snow
If you’re driving, you won’t be tied to a single destination. If the snow is patchy in Meribel you can drive to Val Thorens or Val d’Isere. You can even drive to a nearby resort for the day for a change of scene.
5 Reduce your carbon footprint
If your car is full of passengers, your carbon emissions will be reduced by up to 67% compared to flying - even less if your car is electric. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle produces on average 2kg of CO2 per car per crossing, compared to 147kg of CO2 for a typical Dover-Calais ferry. That’s 73x less!
6 More room for luggage
Taking a car allows skiers to pack in more than the amount aircraft baggage allowance permits, which is perfect for those who don’t fancy travelling lightly. Another luggage perk is that you also avoid the airline fees that come with taking ski equipment. You can even add a roofbox for added space!
7 Take the scenic route
Once in France you can easily drive in one go to the slopes, but why not head ‘off-piste’ and enjoy the journey. Stop overnight in one of the 17 beautiful French wine regions or maybe Paris, Lyon or Geneva. On the way there, you may be in a hurry to get your skis on, but with your chosen route home you can take your time, get creative and stop to enjoy Europe’s many beautiful towns, cities and nature parks.
8 No airport transfers
Airport transfers to ski resorts can involve waiting on other passengers, baggage issues and other delays, and can involve quite a long trip on a coach. Driving yourself means you can get straight to your accommodation.
9 Family friendly
Driving to a ski resort is great for families. You can stop frequently at service stations and laybys to let the children stretch their legs, and the constant change of scenery can help to keep them occupied. The family car is also a more familiar environment than an aeroplane, so they’ll find it easier to relax and nod off.
10 Dog friendly
Unlike when travelling by plane, dogs can accompany you in the car with Eurotunnel and even have the chance to blow off some steam in the designated pet exercise areas before boarding the shuttle. Also, not only dogs are permitted on board the service; cats, ferrets and other pets are welcome. You can reach major ski areas in France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland within 9-12 hours drive time from Calais. Lesser known resorts are even closer - Willingen in Black Forest, Germany (536km), Gerardmer in Voges, France (568km) and Le Noirmont in Jura, France (706km).