Let LeShuttle whisk you across the Channel in just 35 minutes, then make the most of your holiday (enjoying all that France has to offer along the way) with our informative guide.
We’ll show you some of France’s most popular snowy slopes, plus one of the lesser-known ski resorts in France. Find details on parking and driving distances to make your trip as smooth as possible, below.
Carrying skis by car is a lot easier than taking them on a bus
Why your next ski holiday should be a road trip
Road trips are beneficial for a few reasons. Drivers have the chance to get creative with their chosen route and can stop to enjoy France’s many beautiful towns, cities, and nature parks along the way. Plus, having a car readily available at the resort allows you to seek out nearby places of interest and take your ski gear back and forth from the slopes (some chalets and hotels are a short bus ride away).
Driving down the cost
Driving to France doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour, you can shop around for fuel prices and avoid toll roads in some places. The cost of flights or ferries often comes with extra fees for luggage, which when you ski can become pricey, driving mitigates this.
Plus, filling a car boot with foreign foods from a French supermarket is a great way to save on the cost of feeding a family on your trip.
See our guide to driving in France to help plan your journey.
Travelling by car is ideal for families
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 additional items like skis and poles.
Ultimately, how much luggage you bring depends on the size of the vehicle and the party, but with a roof box or a roof rack, your passengers can still keep their leg room.
It’s perfect for children
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, too. The family car is also more of a familiar environment than an aeroplane, meaning they might find it easier to nod off.
Bring along the dog!
Unlike when travelling by plane, dogs can stay with their family in the car with LeShuttle and even have the chance to blow off some steam in our pet exercise areas, before boarding the shuttle. Also, it’s not just dogs that are permitted on board our service, we even allow cats, ferrets and more pets.
Take a look at this useful page to find travel tips and more information on what to expect when using LeShuttle with pets. Plus, see our pups on piste guide to skiing with four-legged pals.
Drive to the slopes in style
Driving to ski resorts in the French Alps
Running along France's south-eastern border, the Alps offer longer and more complex runs than the Pyrenees which gives an experienced skier plenty of challenges and allows the less confident to build up their skillset.
Some of the most beautiful mountain roads such as Col d’Iseran and Petit St Bernard will take you into the Alps. The drive from LeShuttle's Calais terminal is best broken into two parts to allow you to see more of the scenery.
The toll roads in France are some of the best roads to drive on as they are direct, well connected and well maintained. Prices can vary depending on which road you take, so it's best to check when planning your journey. If you have more time to explore, avoiding them can take you through some of the most scenic roads in the country, but this will add to your journey time.
The nearest resort to Calais is the aptly-named Grand-Massif, which not only features more than 250km of runs, but also a plethora of activities for the outdoor adventurer, from hiking to paragliding.
The historical town of Troyes on the A26 is perfectly situated for a scenic stop over, where you can view some of France's oldest surviving buildings, dating back to the 16th Century.
Driving to Chamonix
Ideally located at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, Chamonix sits at the borders of three countries – France, Italy and Switzerland. Even if you don’t ski, Chamonix is an incredible place to visit for the sweeping views of the surrounding glacier fields and to enjoy a breath-taking cable car ride, such as the one available at Aiguille du Midi.
While more seasoned skiers can enjoy the challenging off-piste slopes that Chamonix is famous for, beginners can also explore the surrounding ski areas, such as Les Houches, which can be found in the same valley.
The drive from Calais takes around 7h 30m via the A26.
The ski station at Tignes
Driving to Tignes
Tignes sits 2,100m above sea level and it has a good balance of blue, red, and black runs, meaning there is something for all abilities. As well as skiing and snowboarding, Tignes offers lots of other activities, including dog sledding, ice climbing and snowtubing. If you prefer a more relaxed stay, the Lagon spa has saunas, steam rooms, and jacuzzis for you to relax in.
Tignes is known for its excellent après-ski life. The partying often goes on late into the night at the local bars and some restaurants. Grab a warming drink and relax after a day on the slopes.
It’s approximately a 9h and 30m drive from Calais and you can find five large, designated parking areas dotted around the resort which have free shuttle buses running to and from the slopes. View up-to-date car parking information for Tignes.
Conditions and the landscape in Tignes are especially good for snowboarders. Here's our guide to snowboarding in Europe.
Driving to Val Thorens
Found 2,300 metres above sea level, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe. Its dizzying heights mean that it’s gifted with brilliant snow for up to half of the year, and many come here from as early as mid-November right through to early May. As a purpose-built resort, you won’t find many trees in Val Thorens, so the environment is incredible to see.
The snow conditions on many of the north-facing slopes are brilliant and attract serious skiers from across the world. However, if you want to enjoy basking in the sun after a long day on the snow, the main resort is south-facing, so is perfectly situated for enjoying the views. If you’ve got time, explore the wider Trois Vallées region.
The drive from Calais will take around 8h 40m on a long but relatively straight access road from Moûtiers in the Tarentaise Valley. It is one of the earliest turn-offs on the N90 from Albertville.
Find information on parking in Val Thorens here.
The ski lift at Barèges
Driving to ski resorts in the Pyrenees
At the south western end of France, the Pyrenees provide numerous skiing opportunities for all ranges and ages. The largest resort, St Lary Soulan, has 100km of piste, ranging from beginners’ grade (green) all the way up to black runs, with plenty to explore. Smaller resorts, such as Val de Louron, are perfect for beginners or those looking to get away from the crowds.
The drive from LeShuttle's Calais terminal to the mountain range on the French/Spanish border is best broken into sections to allow you to experience more of the possible stops along the way. A great place to take a break is the scenic Loire Valley, home to many of Frances most spectacular historic châteaux. As well as opening many of these fairytale castles up to the public, some of them have been converted into hotels, allowing you and your family to live like royalty for one night.
Driving to Barèges
The traditional mountain village of Barèges sits 1,250m above sea level, halfway up the Col du Tourmalet. Barèges’ stunning location in the Pays Toy and National Park of the Pyrenees makes it an outdoor activity heaven, as well as it being part of the Pyrenees’ largest and second oldest in the Pyrenees ski resort, the Grand Tourmalet.
The foot of the slopes is only 3.5km away from the centre of the village and you can take your car or the free skibus. The Grand Tourmalet has over 100km of tracks and 31 lifts to access a variation of slopes that range from green to black, with something for every type of ski enthusiast. Experts will be pleased to know that this area is also well-known for its off-piste options.
This resort is a more relaxed and family friendly one than some of the others, boasting a spa, home to Les Thermes des Barèges where hot healing springs have been helping people unwind for years. In fact, Napoleon himself sent his troops to the waters to help heal their wounds.
The drive to Barèges from Calais runs on the A28 and A10. If you choose to split the journey into two or three parts, consider a stop off in Rouen or Bordeaux along the way to see some of the sights or sample some of the local delicacies.
The resort at Val Thorens
Driving to Superbagnères
Superbagnères is a ski resort above the town of Bagnères-de-Luchon in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Here you will find ski slopes and cross-country skiing trails from 1440 to 2260m, with green to black runs to suit all abilities.
When the resort was first opened it was connected to the town by a railway, but today it is connected by a gondola lift.
Driving to ski resorts in Auvergne
Auvergne is known for its mountain ranges and dormant volcanoes. It’s often overlooked as a ski destination, but this small but perfectly formed area has so much to offer, from frozen glacier lakes to cross country skiing and Siberian husky sledging.
To get here by car, the drive from Calais takes about seven hours, with potential stops in Amiens, Paris or Bourges off the A16/A71 route.
A magnificent view point from a volcanic peak during the winter in Auvergne
Driving to Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a popular ski resort in the volcanic Auvergne region. This part of France is a down-to-earth skier’s paradise. The Auvergne region in general is a winter wonderland with stunning views of the national park, which features dozens of glacial lakes and craters. Use Clermont-Ferrand as a base to explore this area. Le Mont-Dore is one of France’s oldest ski resorts, and in the summer serves as a beautiful spa town. In its heyday, it was a high-end getaway and expensive resort, and today it still retains this chic ambience, but with lower prices and a relaxed feel.
For some fantastic cross-country skiing, check out the Plomb du Cantal volcano. It’s home to a few cosy B&Bs, but otherwise feels completely wild. Even during high season, you won’t find the same busy crowds here as with other, more popular, resorts, so it’s a go-to for the perfect ski escape.
The drive from Calais will take on average 6h 40m, and you can find information on local parking in Clermont-Ferrand here.
Fantastic views across Alpe d’Huez. Credit: L Salino
Driving to Isère
Isère is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, stretching from the banks of the River Rhône to the summits of the French Alps. Driving to this region from Calais is a treat in itself, with stunning views culminating in Isère’s capital, Grenoble.
Isère is home to skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and dogsledding, or to put it another way, every fun activity you can take part in on the soft powdery snow.
The major ski areas of Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes can be found in the Oisans mountain range with smaller resorts in the Vercors and Belledonne ranges. There’s plenty of space to stay safe and have a great holiday.
For those of you travelling as a family or with little ones, five resorts in the Isère have been presented the FAMILLE PLUS award year on year, which means you’ll find plenty of activities and suitable entertainment, not to mention great ski schools for budding snow bunnies.
From Calais the drive is around 8 hours and for more details on Isère, you can visit isere-tourism.com
Driving to your next ski trip has never been easier with LeShuttle
If you are planning to take a more scenic route, then Bison Futé is a useful site that allows you to design and amend your journey for a well-planned drive (available to view in French, English and Spanish).
Explore France’s best ski resorts by car and have the freedom to travel with ease. With LeShuttle, you can get from Folkestone to Calais in just 35-minutes. From there you’re on your way to your next ski adventure.