Help please. General advice needed.

I would really like to take my children (12 & 8) to a snowy resort for a week after next Christmas. Unfortunately, I don't fly so wanted to find out where would be a good place to drive to from the UK where snow would be guaranteed. The nearer the better, to cut down on driving/petrol etc. Somewhere pretty and not too commercial. We're not skiers (yet) so really just want snow play and nice food. Any advice gratefully received.

well we are taking the car from newcastle to amsterdam there are 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 kids and the ferry cost alone is £535! then there is the petrol and accomodaion to go on top of it. We are doing it now because we think it will be an adventure and you know boys!!! I dont think it is always cost effective to drive but it is up to you. there are lots of threads about this. Just have a look! oh and welcome to the site

marmite wrote:I would really like to take my children (12 & 8) to a snowy resort for a week after next Christmas. Unfortunately, I don't fly so wanted to find out where would be a good place to drive to from the UK where snow would be guaranteed. The nearer the better, to cut down on driving/petrol etc. Somewhere pretty and not too commercial. We're not skiers (yet) so really just want snow play and nice food. Any advice gratefully received.

The alps has a lot of villages as you describe, even though they're not major ski destinations though you'll find them busy over the new year period as in Europe the idea of a non-ski winter break is pretty well established.

Are you intending to ski at all or are you going to mooch around, try some snow shoeing and stuff? It would effect your choice of course.

:DHi ,

To reach the skiing resorts in th french alps will take around 8 - 12 hours from Calais depending on which you go to,weather and traffic included also, another option to look at may be using the Eurostar to either Moutiers or Bourg-Saint-Maurice, this would give you access to resorts such as the Trois Vallee's (Meribel , Courcheval ,Val Thorens ),La Plagne ,Les Arcs ,La Rosiere, Val D'isere and Tignes.

I have left out Sainte-Foy as if you don't ski there is nothing to do ,also somewhere such as BsM itself can be an ideal spot as for days off there are excellent restaurants ,shops ,large supermarkets plus a market up the main shopping street on saturdays etc,and from there you could also take a day trip to somewhere such as Albertville and Lake Annecy via car or bus.

Driving down to the alps is pretty straight forward as the french motorway system is excellent and well signposted.

Another resort i can think of which is relatively easy to get to via Chamonix by car is Courmayeur in Italy ,it has a lovely town with great shops cafe's and places to eat.

Jon.

Eurostar seems a good alternative - or just bite the bullet? - lot more cash left over for beer!

The SNCF snow trains from Paris cover most resorts. The main Chamonix valley resorts, Flaine, Les Carroz and Avoriaz can all be reached along with the Tarantaise resorts, 3 Valleys, La Plagnes, Les arcs, La Ros etc.

Speak to Rail Europe to ask for destination stations and approx prices.

We went out overnight, London - Paris - Cluses, and back Cluses - Paris - London to get to Flaine. Best to book Eurostar separately from the SNCF legs as it's much cheaper.