A self drive ski holiday is the perfect way to travel at your own pace, limit your carbon footprint, avoid busy airports and luggage restrictions. With an average journey time of 10/12 hours, the Alps are easily accessible via an excellent network of motorways and by far the most flexible way to travel.
French autoroute tolls amount to approximately €60 each way, varying a little depending on your destination and route.
As independent travellers we would be grateful if you could let us know your itinerary so that we can pass the information onto resort staff. Unless other arrangements have been agreed in writing, please remember that the accommodation will be ready from 15h00 and that guests are asked to leave on the day of departure by 10h00.
Do not forget the following:
Also recommended by motoring organisations (and in some cases a legal requirement) for continental travel in winter are the following items: Small spares kit, fire extinguisher, spare keys, makers handbook, spare bulbs, snow chains & shovel.
If you are considering a self drive ski holiday see below for driving directions to each of our resorts.
Basic Itinerary:
• Take the A26 from Calais to Reims & Troyes.
• The A26 becomes the A5 to Langres.
• The A5 becomes the A31 to Dijon.
• Take the A39 to Bourg-en-Bresse.
• At Bourg-en-Bresse take the A40 towards and then past, Geneva.
• This becomes the A40 - 'Autoroute Blanche'.
• Follow signs for Cluses/ Taninges/ Les Gets
Altitude Lodge
Once in Les Gets itself follow the signs to Les Chavannes, Altitude Lodge is at the end of the road. It takes about 7-10 minutes from the town, up a very windy road.
You will recognise Altitude Lodge as the newest looking building on the far left once you reach the end of the road but as the road begins to turn round back onto itself, you see a restaurant called Le Grand Cry and Altitude lodge sits behind this off to the right.
Parking
The closest car park is the underground car park below the Chavannes cable car. The car park has 245 spaces and is open 24/7. It's height clearance is 1.90m. Once parked, guests can reach the Altitude Lodge either via the Chavannes bubble (lift pass required) or the free resort bus.
Cost is approximately €70 for 7 days.
If you are using a Sat Nav the co-ordinates for the Altitude Lodge are: Lat: 46.14997000 Long: 6.65688000
NB In an alpine environment Sat Navs are not always accurate. Always check the route chosen as they are not always aware of alpine road closures.
Basic Itinerary:
• Take the A26 from Calais to Reims & Troyes.
• The A26 becomes the A5 to Langres.
• The A5 becomes the A31 to Dijon.
• Take the A39 to Bourg-en-Bresse.
• At Bourg-en-Bresse take the A40 towards and then past, Geneva.
• This becomes the A40 - 'Autoroute Blanche'.
• Follow signs for Cluses/ Taninges/ Les Gets.
• After driving through Les Gets, this road will lead you all the way to Morzine.
Chalet locations:
The Manoir (281 Chemin De La Coutettaz)
As you enter Morzine on the D338 from Les Gets you cross one roundabout where you take the second exit signposted to Morzine (centre) “par la Route de la Plagne”. Continue on this road past the Renault Garage. The road will then immediately fork, take the road on the right known as Avenue du Joux Plagne. Continue on this road for about 300m. After the car park, take the next available road on your left. The road is a single-track road and should have a sign post on the corner saying “Chemin de la Coutettaz”. At the T junction turn left. The Manoir is the second building on the right after a large building with blue shutters which is opposite the T junction.
Colibri Uno & Colibri Penthouse (Appt 101, 96 Taille de Mas du Pleney)
As you approach Morzine on the D338 you cross one roundabout where you take the first exit. Continue straight on till the first give way sign which is just in front of a small roundabout, drive straight on towards the centre of town, the road splits just after this, but stay on the left hand fork. Pass the tourist office on your left and bear round to the right. Take the immediate right hand turn. Colibiri Uno/ Penthouse is located 40 metres up the road on the right. If you have reserved parking our Resort Manager will meet you to give you access to the underground car park.
Parking
There are two covered car parks close to our chalets in Morzine.
Joux Plane - Joux Plane is located close to the Pleney bubble on Avenue Du Jouz Plane. The car park entrance is next door to ESF’s Piou Piou garden, opposite Intersport and the Easy to Ride office. It has 90 spaces and costs approximately €55 for 7 days.
Parking Office Du Tourisme – For those staying in Chalet Alaska or Valdez Suite the closest car park is the Office Du Tourisme. The car park is down a side street off the Route de la Plagne opposite the La Chamade restaurant (lots of wooden carvings outside) and just before the Tourist Office. It has 180 places and costs approximately €56 for 7 days.
Basic Itinerary:
• Take the A26 from Calais to Reims & Troyes.
• The A26 becomes the A5 to Langres.
• The A5 becomes the A31 to Dijon.
• Take the A39 to Bourg-en-Bresse.
• At Bourg-en-Bresse take the A40 towards and then past, Geneva.
• This becomes the A40 - 'Autoroute Blanche'.
• Follow signs for Cluses/ Taninges/ Les Gets.
When driving from Les Gets, take the D902 to Morzine. At the first roundabout, take the 1st right to go into Morzine on the D338. The road will fork when you are near the centre - take the right fork to stay on the D338. You will hit another roundabout which you should go straight over and go under a bridge. The road curls round to another round about. Take the 1st right and continue on the D338 to Avoriaz with all the hair pin bends going up the hill. When you reach Avoriaz, follow signs to the parking – this can be the underground parking or overground. Once there please call so your Chalet hosts can come and meet you and help with baggage. Please note: it is a short walk to all our chalets from the car parks, sensible footware is recommended.
Parking
Avoriaz is a car free resort however there are 3 underground car parks all situated at the entrance of the resort where you can park before our staff come and greet you:
Falaise – this car park has 300 spaces with a maximum height of 1.90 m and costs approximately €87 for 7 days.
Proclou– this car park has 540 spaces with a maximum height of 1.90 m and costs approximately €87 for 7 days.
Plateau – this car park has 840 spaces with a maximum height of 1.90 m and costs approximately €87 for 7 days.
Pre-booking is advisable and you can book through their website - Avoriaz Parking
If you are using a Sat Nav the co-ordinates for the centre of Morzine are: Lat: N 46.181062, Long: E 6.704863
NB In an alpine environment Sat Navs are not always accurate. Please check the route chosen as they are not always aware of closed alpine roads.
Basic Itinerary:
• Take the A26 from Calais to Reims & Troyes.
• The A26 becomes the A5 to Langres.
• The A5 becomes the A31 to Dijon.
• Take the A39 to Bourg-en-Bresse.
• Join the A40 towards Geneva.
• Turn off onto the A42 to Lyon.
• Take A43 from Lyon to Chambéry and Albertville.
• Follow signs for Albertville, Moutiers, Bourg St. Maurice and Val d'Isère.
The Bellevarde Lodges - Upon arrival in central Val d’Isere go straight on at the first roundabout (opposite Banque de Savoie) and turn right at the second. Head through the tunnel and continue straight on past the STVI building on your left and straight over when the road turns 90 degrees to the right. Continue up the hill about 200 metres and the Bellevarde Lodges are situated together on the left hand side after “Residence EurekaVal”. Two parking spaces are available outside Bellevarde Lodge and must be reserved.
Aspen House, The Farmhouse & La Petite Ferme - Upon entering Val d’Isère drive 300m and pass the petrol station on your right, then drive a further 540m until you reach a roundabout. At the roundabout continue straight (last exit). There is a Banque de Savoie next to the roundabout exit the roundabout after you pass it on your right. Continue 250m to the next roundabout and continue straight (last exit). After 75m take the first right (after the shop Poivre Blanc) and then immediately left into a narrow road towards the church (passing the Hotel les Cinq Freres on your right). When you reach the church the Aspen House building will be opposite on your left. For The Farmhouse & La Petite Ferme continue driving past the church on your right and continue another 100 metres, The Farmhouse & La Petite Ferme are on your left, on the road. The Farmhouse has a distinctive ground floor balcony that almost touches the street. For all of these properties, your chalet host will advise you where to park the car once you have unloaded.
Parking
There are two covered car parks in Val d’Isere:
Parking Centre (P0) – Found just off the Rue du Parc des Sports, reached by turning right at the 2nd roundabout after la Daille you will see the car park entrance on the corner of the first left turning just before Hotel Christiania.
Cost is approximately €100 for 7-8 days.
Parking Face de Bellevarde (P1) – Found on the Rue de la Face, reached by turning right off the main road approximately 200m after the petrol station and then left at the T-junction. The car park is on the right just after to Centre Aquasportif.
Cost is approximately €85 for 7-8 days.
Both the above can be booked through SAGS https://www.parkingvaldisere.com
Enquires +33 4 79 06 07 44
If you are using a Sat Nav the co-ordinates for the centre of Val d'Isere are: Lat: N 45.449727, Long: E 6.977895
NB In an alpine environment Sat Navs are not always accurate. Always check the route chosen as they are not always aware of alpine road closures.
Basic Itinerary:
• Take the A26 from Calais to Reims & Troyes.
• The A26 becomes the A5 to Langres.
• The A5 becomes the A31 to Dijon.
• Take the A39 to Bourg-en-Bresse.
• Join the A40 towards Geneva.
• Turn off onto the A42 to Lyon.
• Take A43 from Lyon to Chambéry and Albertville.
• Follow signs for Albertville, Moutiers, Bourg St. Maurice and Les Arcs.
Bear Lodge & Suites
After driving through Arcs 1600, carry on up the road and eventually you’ll see two lifts, Pre Saint Esprit (with big blue bubble covers over each chair) and Comborciere.Keep driving past this and you come through some avalanche tunnels. When the tunnels open up there’s a couple more bends and you’ll see on your right-hand side an area where all the piste bashers park up. When you see this, Bear Lodge is directly in front of you.
Drive around the hairpin then take a sharp right to come to the driveways of the hotel (there are some waste recycling bins just at the end of this driveway). Take the left-hand driveway, up the ramp and reception is beside the parking square at the top of the ramp, on your left hand side. Park at reception and a member of the team will greet you and help unload your luggage. The vehicle can then be parked in the underground garage for the duration of the stay (just back down the ramp on the right hand side).
If you come across Les Arcs 1950, you’ve driven too far!
Parking
We have ample garage parking for guests of Bear Lodge but spaces must be pre-booked.
If you are using a Sat Nav the co-ordinates for the centre of Arc 1950 are: Lat: N 45.573078, Long: E 6.825969
NB In an alpine environment Sat Navs are not always accurate. Always check the route chosen as they are not always aware of alpine road closures.
When seeking absolute halfway convenience, we can recommend this simple but clean motel. It's right on the motorway and you can park your car literally outside your room. It's 3.5 hours from Calais and a further 4.5 hours to the Alps.