 Poster: A snowHead
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Seeing as there was a HT drive down thread - and I couldn't find a general drive down thread - thought it'd be useful to clutter up the SHs bandwidth a little more by creating one for us people who prefer the sunshine and slush of later in the season.
This will be our third year driving down to the French Alps at Easter; ADH in 2024, L2A in 2025, but this year we're braving the hustle and bustle of La Plagne (Plagne Soleil to be precise), as the stars aligned with a good deal through Sunweb and the mega dump in February laying down a great base. We're travelling as two families, with varying levels of enthusiasm between the passengers about the hours spent on the autoroutes (the dads are non-plussed about the drive). We'd aimed to bring the dog but I forgot to do the vaccination in time... I'm a bit sad about that but the beer we can now fit in the boot on the way home will bench that sadness I'm sure 
As per usual, we're going down the week before actual Easter; the kids' school does a half day before they breakup for the hols (but they'll have a stomach ache - wink wink ) so we'll be heading down on 27th for a 9am crossing from the Midlands - we have a 5am start I reckon from Rugby - so we can have a leisurely lunch somewhere like St. Quinten, and then head down to the IBIS Styles in Bourg en Bresse for about teatime where we'll have a stroll, some food and rest up.
Then it's Saturday into La Plagne, which I think I'll be taking advice on regarding when to get into resort, seeing as it's a major holiday period. Hoping it won't be carnage, as it is at half term, but must prepare for the worst, so it might mean an 8am rush shop at one of the big supermarkets before heading up to resort. We have Paradiski passes so get the extra half day on arrival, so we may hit the slopes earlier than originally intended if we get up early.
I'll be in the classic taxi - Toyota Corolla AK75XDH with a roof box - so if you spot me give us a wave
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 22-03-26 11:47; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Specialman, don't think you'll have any issues with arrival Saturday morning - we've done Les Arcs Easter, Feb half-term, Xmas and New Year weeks and generally arrive Aime for a mid-morning shop at 10ish. The real queues build up later in day. Just check opening hours of supermarkets, we were caught a few years ago in Albertville when it didn't open to 9am (French eh  )
We're heading off Good Friday and have similar travel times, early crossing and will be in Macon overnight.
Look out for VW Kombi with roofbox with British Biathlon and Snowheads stickers on the back of it
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I’m heading down on Sunday, leaving home about 6:30in the morning for a 10:53 tunnel. This will get me on the road at Calais about 13:00 and should get to les arcs about midnight. As I’m driving on my own there will be some longish breaks . The car is checked over, talking books loaded and just néeds loading. Looking forward to it.
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We are heading to Peisey-Vallandry this year (La Rosiere last Easter) 28th - 5th April.
Same format as we did last year, leave home around 7am, early tunnel at 09:54 on the Saturday, overnight stay in Borgoin-Jailleu, Sunday morning stop to fill the kombi with wine and into resort by 1pm.
Coming back I do it in one stint - leave resort around 9.30am and tunnel at 19:54, usually pulling up at home by 9pm (unless lad needs a loo stop!)
Always flown for skiing over the past 20 or so years (gone to Austria 99% of the time) but thoroughly enjoyed the driving last year - so much more relaxed on the continent (not sure my Wife would agree though!)
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Heading to Tignes VC for the 2nd Easter in a row after three years doing Val Thorens before that. We've got a lunch time tunnel crossing on the 27th, stop over near Troyes then on to Tignes on the Saturday.
Had seven (!) of us in an S-Max last year but we've got a bigger group/more cars this time so just the four of us this time, will feel like luxury!
Feeling optimistic about the possibility of some more snow toward the end of next week...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@BornAgainSkier, it does look likely on snow forecast, saying about 20cm on Weds in La Plagne.
@johnE, absolute hardcore - that is some stint to do solo. Think the closest I've ever come to that length of trip on my own is Amsterdam to Rugby for work, powered by Haribo, Red Bull and French techno!!!
@Boris, I hope so. Last two Easters have been hassle-free on the roads, only one slight hold up at Bourg D'oisans one year and that was probably 20 minutes of delays. Fingers crossed, it's not silly season
Think we'll do the tried trusted A26/A5/A31/A6 to Bourg En Bresse. Thinking on Saturday we might take the scenic route (D1504) to come out above Chambery, but I think we'll leave the shopping either to Albertville or maybe do it in Aime.
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We're leaving on Saturday 28th, mid morning Le Tunnel, and overnighting with friends at a cheap hotel in a nice location.
Rather hoping to have comparatively little stuff, as this is the first Easter of having our own place, so most of our stuff is already there! No roof box, a lot less weight perhaps an outside chance at better than 33mpg on the way down...
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| Specialman wrote: |
| Thinking on Saturday we might take the scenic route (D1504) to come out above Chambery, but I think we'll leave the shopping either to Albertville or maybe do it in Aime. |
I've been using this route for 20 years. Never go anywhere near Lyon. Also has useful off-motorway fuel stop options: Intermarche at Amberieu or Chazey Bons, Carrefour at Belley.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@195062, we took it last year, as we stayed overnight in Dole and rather than head back onto the Lyon motorway, we decided to take that route - the tunnel is fun and that view over the lake is stunning.
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Ferry to Caen overnight 27th. Long day driving to Maurienne Sat via Le Mans and Lille then 6 days exploring a variety of ski areas. Back 4th to an overnight an hour shy of calais before tunnel and home in midlands
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Joining in despite taking the train down, because I want to play, please.
Heading to Les Arcs Easter weekend. 4th visit there, 3rd at Easter. Last year we went at HT due to other travel plans at Easter.
Travelling as two families, 4 per family. Family Owl by train and my brother, SIL, and their sprogs (Family Duck) by car. Both families leaving the UK on Good Friday. Family Owl via Eurostar to Paris where we will stay overnight and Family Duck have a Chunnel crossing around lunchtime and are planning to get most of the journey done on that day, with a hotel in Chambery booked for the night.
Saturday morning will see me slingshot past the Ducks as I am booked onto the 0656 train from Paris. This gets me into Bourg at 1148 and I plan to be on my skis ready to go when my pass activates at 1230 via the funicular to 1600. The other Owls are leaving Paris at 1130 and will arrive in resort via taxi from BSM at 5pm along with the cases. Ducks are planning to be in resort at some point between the two.
We are all staying in 1800, and this is the Ducks very first ski holiday. They have all had lessons in the UK to prepare and all but Mama Duck can now snowplough turn, which is going to set them in great stead. They are mostly very excited to see snow like they've never seen it before.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@MHskier, I know Lille is supposed to be an interesting town to visit but it’s a bit out of the way from Le Mans to the alps.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Owlette, a train has a driver so it all counts 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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We left home yesterday at 6:30 - ugh! Clear roads all the way so we made an earlier ferry at 13:40. No queues in Dover either and we drove straight onto the P&O push-me-pull-you. Clear roads in France too so we made the F1 in Tinqueux 12 hours after leaving home - almost to the minute. We’re now on the A5 just past the piscine with the thumb up.
Diesel here is expensive. Seems to start at 2.09 euros (equiv £1.80) and goes up from there.
The gouv website:
https://www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr
…can now show the lowest price along your route. Look down the page a bit.
Glad we filled up in Tesco Folkstone selected using:
https://resolvo.uk/petrol-prices/dover
We’re in a black Nissan NV200 with windows and solar panels on an aluminium sheet on a low roof rack.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Mon 23-03-26 17:15; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Specialman wrote: |
| @Owlette, a train has a driver so it all counts |
Excellent!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@altis, yes over the years Diesel has generally been cheaper in France now it’s a case of fill up before crossing .
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Sainsbury's in Folkstone had run out of diesel when I drove over two weeks ago.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Managed to negotiate Chambery without the usual pushing and shoving and have just passed the piste basher shop. Yay!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@johnE,
Perfect for the way home - stopped there a few times
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@altis,
Where are you heading
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We're doing a quick Easter visit, out Thursday 2nd, back Monday 6th. Had planned a bit longer but my son can't get time off. He's flying Gatwick- Geneva after work (£129 one way, no bags). We're on DFDS short break - £149 return ( tunnel was £450+, they can stuff that) and he's coming back in the car. Timed to allow a drive down to pick up at GVA at 2330 and into Chatel for 0100. What could possibly go wrong?! 3.5 days on skis.
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@phillip33, Lanslebourg, Val Cenis.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Sun 22-03-26 16:22; edited 1 time in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We are leaving after school on Friday 27th and heading for Tignes. We are staying near Troyes on the way down.
I saw the recommendation above to avoid Lyon - is that always the case? Google Maps seems to consistently suggest going via Lyon is the fastest route.
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@Sonmi451, Lyon can be busy, but never had an issue myself. You don’t go into it but bypass it on A432. Easter quieter than halfterm.
Only time ever had a queue was half term at the first tolls after Lyon on way out towards Chambery.
It’s personal preference, I tried the other route a few times and wasn’t keen.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Sonmi451, I think the first year we did ADH we went on the autoroute around Lyon and it was fine; there's generally always naturally a bit more traffic because it's a big city, but I've never had it bad. Last year we went on the scenic route because we stayed in Dole, which would have meant faffing to get on the main autoroute to Lyon - just wasn't worth it, plus we had oodles of time to get to resort.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Boris, thanks. I think I'll see what Google is telling me when we're departing Troyes in the morning. If the times look similar, will perhaps opt for the route avoiding Lyon.
I did have a bit of a nightmare journey from Lyon airport to Val Thorens earlier this season, we queued immediately out of the airport and it never seemed to get any better, despite no obvious incident. That's made me a little wary of Lyon, but i realise it's generally just a capacity issue with so many vehicles funnelling into the Tarentaise.
This will be our first attempt at driving down (and only our second family ski break) - I cannot wait! Your posts over the years about your family trips were somewhat inspiring.
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There was very little traffic all the way through today. Good job to as we only made it to the immobile shop to collect the keys with ten minutes to spare.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Sonmi451 wrote: |
@Boris, thanks. I think I'll see what Google is telling me when we're departing Troyes in the morning. If the times look similar, will perhaps opt for the route avoiding Lyon.
I did have a bit of a nightmare journey from Lyon airport to Val Thorens earlier this season, we queued immediately out of the airport and it never seemed to get any better, despite no obvious incident. That's made me a little wary of Lyon, but i realise it's generally just a capacity issue with so many vehicles funnelling into the Tarentaise.
This will be our first attempt at driving down (and only our second family ski break) - I cannot wait! Your posts over the years about your family trips were somewhat inspiring. |
We always drive at Easter, never been held up too long and we just let Google maps do it's thing and tell us the best way to go!
We break up the journey there stopping at Troyes too
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Sonmi451, We've only driven at Easter once, and there was no bother with the traffic. A few minutes here and there at the tolls, but nothing that bothered us. Lyon was fine. Lots of cars about, but everything moving.
We stopped in Auxerre overnight, and my husband wanted a later start on the Saturday as he wanted to rest. We left Auxerre at 11am and Googlemaps showed lots of traffic around Albertville and Chambery, but by the time we got there it was completely clear. Got into resort just after 5pm.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We're heading down next weekend -
Friday night, couple of hours to my sister in Kent; who'll give us an early saturday lift to the M20 services to meet a couple of friends. Then sit in the passenger seats of a Disco whilst they drive us to Albertville for Saturday night, and on to Cleb Med La Plagne for early Sunday, and a day on the slopes before we check in.
I think this is the 3rd time we've cadged a lift all the way there and back in some nice spacious vehicle. We provide snacks and playlists, and it is very nice indeed thank you!
Seems to be some volatility in some of the forecasts - I'm not really sure -30 degrees C in the windchill is really expected on Thursday, more one of those outliers that the models occasionally throw out. Still, general agreement of cold and some snow, so that's nice!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Journey going really well so far. Got to the tunnel in just under 3 hours and have got on a train an hour early. No queues at check-in, immigration,or security. Below zero temperatures driving through England and the car is covered in salt.
May get to France before noon
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Safe drive, @johnE!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Very quiet at ET. No queues at check in, security or passports. Now on the 11.24, overnighting in Troyes.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Try Bison-fute.gouv.fr
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Hi all!
We are leaving next Saturday morning (28th). Ferry crossing (first time using the ferry for skiing) early afternoon then a stop near Troyes on Saturday night. Hoping to arrive in Les Arcs on Sunday afternoon. Very excited!
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Was going so well, then, toll tag has gone flat, had to perform the reverse of shame out the 30 lane and take a ticket. Got to Reims and barrier said ticket invalid. Went to fill up, petrol pump wouldn't accept credit card. I need a beer. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Decided to take the a6 today for a change. It’s very busy so in future I’ll stick to my normal route past Bourg en bresse . The sat nav is saying 320 km to go and an arrival time in les arcs of 21:00 but I’ll take a couple of long breaks and get there at22:00 ish. I think my nephew will save some dinner for me.
The journey is going very well and I’m half way through a Stewart McBride novel.
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Leaving Good Friday for Champagney so also part of the paradiski contingent there seems to be on here. Planning on skiing a few days in the 3V too.
Chunnel mid morning, staying overnight, south of Dijon on the Bourg en Bresse route. We usually find it about 10 min slower via Bourg en Bresse but it is much quieter on the roads, less trucks/commercial traffic and less built up and better scenery. Also gives you the option to go via Aix les Bains if the mood takes you and and avoids congestion that can build up east of Chambry.
White Ranger loaded to the max!
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FAQ
That'll teach me not to post before properly awake and caffeine taken 