Best self-drive ski holidays from the UK

Find the best self-drive ski holidays from the UK. If you’ve made the decision to drive to the Alps this year, remember distance is everything!

So which are the closest ski resorts to Calais? Ski resorts can be anywhere between 7 and 13 hours’ drive from Calais. A big difference when you’re stuck in a car packed full of people and ski gear and every extra hour is 60 precious minutes missed on the slopes. So read on to find out which are the best self-drive ski holidays from the UK.

Benefits of self-drive ski holidays

There are some real benefits to making the trip to the Alps by car. It can be more fun and likely less costly, particularly for a family.  Besides, having your car handy means you can be flexible and visit any of the nearby (or even far away) ski resorts. Or, stock up on groceries away from the often-pricey ski resort shops.

Whether you’re reaching Calais via the 35-minute Eurotunnel LeShuttle or the 90-minute ferry (P&O ferries or DFDS), there are plenty of bookable slots so driving can offer more flexibilty than flying.

Tips for successful self-drive ski holidays

Here are some tips for driving once you get there. Big change: you drive on the right side in Europe. Take your car’s documents, your original V5 registration and a copy. Motorway food can be on the costly side, so bring some sandwiches and soft drinks in a cool box. Practice putting snow chains on and off if you’re not familiar with them. It is mandatory to carry a GB sticker, warning triangle, headlamp converter, and a high visibility jacket for each person in the car.

We’ve picked six of the best self-drive ski holidays from the UK. All our resorts are within nine hours’ drive of Calais and costs are based on a petrol car with tolls on a one-way trip. But, don’t forget the UK has more than 55 indoor and outdoor ski centres scattered about if you want to stay close to home. But, they are nothing like the incredible resorts of Germany, France and Italy.

Six of the best self-drive ski holidays

Oberstdorf, Germany

From Calais 772km/8hr20

Oberstdorf in the Bavarian Alps is Germany’s second most popular ski area after Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At 772km from Calais, it’s one of the closest and best self-drive ski holidays from the UK. Oberstdorf offers some of the most extensive skiing in Germany – 124km of the Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal ski area. It’s also home to Germany’s longest downhill run from the Nebelhorn lift (7.5km). It has some of the country’s most varied runs, with everything from nursery to FIS racing slopes. Be sure to look up from the slopes once in a while as Oberstdorf has some truly awe-inspiring views across more than 400 peaks. The resort is perhaps best known for hosting the first leg of the famous Four Hills ski jumping tournament.

La Clusaz, France

From Calais: 865km/7hrs20

Small but perfectly formed, La Clusaz (1100-2600m) is a hidden gem of a resort. It’s well-deserving of its place on our ‘best self-drive holidays from the UK’ list. You’ll feel that sense of pride at being ‘in the know’ when you recommend this place to friends. La Clusaz is conveniently situated off the Autoroute Blanche and is often overlooked by skiers zooming past on the way to Chamonix or the Three Valleys. This pretty Savoie village is made up of tasteful wooden chalets built around a church and is one of the few to ooze French charm while still offering every modern amenity. The great all-round terrain is spread over five mountains and really does have something for levels as well as some epic off-piste. When the lifts close, head to the main square’s handful of bars, stylish shops and excellent restaurants. Here you can gorge yourself on delicious French food and wine.

Chamonix, France

From Calais: 892km/7hrs30

The big Cham needs little introduction. If you ski regularly, you’ve probably skied here. But, at just 7.5 hours from Calais, this is an uber-resort that you easily reach by car. And it’s surrounded by mile upon mile of piste and off-piste. The town is somewhat sprawling but is peppered with areas of alpine charm. For those who like an almost limitless choice of runs, this is as good as anywhere in the world. And a car opens up even more choice. Pricey in the resort and at the mountain bars and restaurants, but this is France, n’est-ce pas?

Megeve, France

From Calais: 880km/7hrs30

If Disney designed ski resorts they would look something like the medieval village of Megeve. Hotels and restaurants are smart and sophisticated as are the visitors, for the most part. Prices, as with any swanky French resort, are steeper than the surrounding slopes. Those on a tighter budget can still find ways to enjoy the resort without selling a kidney. The 325km of pistes are ideal for beginners and there’s plenty of off-piste for advanced skiers – all with stunning scenery. Many of the lifts are as medieval as the village centre so getting up to get down can be ponderous. Apres-ski is as serene as the woodland ski runs, which, for those wishing to avoid the raucous and rowdy, can only be a good thing. Propose to your girlfriend here and she’ll have a tough job turning you down.

Flaine, France

From Calais: 881km/7hrs40

Flaine (1600-2500m) is located at the foot of a big snow bowl in the Grand Massif ski area (265km). Less than 8hrs from Calais, Flaine is well-deserving of its place on our ‘best self-drive ski holidays from the UK’ list. Its extensive ski area has plenty of terrain for all levels and largely northwest-facing slopes that hold snow well. Its compact, convenient centre is largely devoid of cars – and nightlife – but you don’t come to Flaine for the après-ski. Skiers come to Flaine for the varied terrain and reliable snow, so ski your legs off all day and go to bed early.

Courmayeur, Italy

From Calais: 909km/7hrs50

An Italian ski resort manages to squeeze into our ‘best self-drive ski holidays from the UK’ at number 6. Courmayeur is just within 8 hours’ drive from Calais and is all about the charm. Its car-free cobbled streets are lined with well-preserved old buildings and the mountain is scattered with cutesy restaurants serving up delicious dishes with great dollops of scenery. The views of Mont Blanc are spectacular from the upper slopes and the snow cover is pretty reliable due to the north-facing ski area. Courmayeur’s 36km of pistes are best-suited to intermediates. The resort is also popular with freeriders and heliskiers for its 64km of off-piste with some cross-border skiing on the French side of Mont Blanc.  When the lifts close, head to the stylish shops and civilised bars in the village.