What make/model car would you choose to drive to ski resort?

Ha Skite, a re-visit in history! You have a Vauxhall Corsa. My mate persuaded me to drive my Vauxhall Victor from Manchester to Austria, my very first visit to Austria. We stayed in a houseful of ski instructors, sleeping on the floor in one instructors room, and, it changed the course of my life, thereafter spending several seasons in Austria. I formed a bond with the local farm boy, harp player, and I played guitar/banjo alongside him. When we went back to the UK, he jumped in the back, planning to visit his girlfriend(s)(s)(s) ~ get the picture?

At Calais, my VV developed a starter motor issue. So, one of Tirol's greatest harp players helped to push my VV on to the ferry!

Oh, that Harp player now owns several hotels, plus clubs, but I still sit alongside him on his harp, and sing/play guitar. Last year, as most years with several ex-J2skiers.

Back to cars. During my seasons I drove the aforesaid Transit, (an ex-Redifusion TV van, with the lettering clearly on view). Ongoing Austria, visits ~ a VW campervan. Next time, a Range Rover, Then a Freelander. In between times, and more recently, over twenty hire cars. With the exception of the Ford Transit, which did skite on ice, in no case, have I had a any traction issue.

Of all the cars driven, the Range Rover was outstandingly the best.
Having said that, I think my current Freelander might have an edge on traction.
My son, who is a Motoring Editor puts the Range Rover ahead, but then, what does he know?
I just tell him I will see him on the slopes....

how about
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510137772025?maximum-mileage=up_to_70000_miles&engine-size-cars=2l_to_2-5l&fuel-type=diesel&page=1&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&postcode=s104fl&sort=default&radius=1500&model=rav4&make=toyota&search-target=usedcars&maximum-age=up_to_10_years_old&quantity-of-doors=5&logcode=p

I drive a Rover Streewise diesel as my daily driver and have taken it round the Alps twice..It has snow tyres and I have never had to use the chains. Ideally I would like something a bit bigger. Having driven diesel Range Rovers I find them very sluggish but comfortable. Diesel is the fuel to go for as it is cheaper on the continent and you get more mpg. The Toyotas have a reputation for reliabilty and are quite easy to find ..but consider the Suzuki S4 /Fiat seicento good value but a bit smaller ...also the Hyundai Santa Fe ...a good solid car

Having driven in deep snow in resorts several times I'd ignore 4x4's in favour of decent winter tyres. On your budget I'd consider a Skoda Octavia estate or possibly a Ford C-Max. I had a C-Max and the 40/20/40 rear seat configuration means you can easily remove the middle rear chair to leave at home and allows geat space for your skis.

I would go with an estate - they are great for space and for throwing skis into the back for short runs. Always try to hire one for my ski trips. Ford focus estate is a good, if somewhat boring choice :lol: .

I had an interesting conversation with the car hire desk in Venice airport last year. The car was a diesel and she informed me that the local diesel was not suitable for the mountains (did not have anti-freeze in it and liable to freeze overnight :shock: ). She advised that I fill up as soon as I got there or alternatively add anti-freeze to the fuel tank :roll: Apparently, the diesel sold in the mountains has anti-freeze added in Winter.

I drive/deliver all makes and sorts of car all over Europe. For your 5 to 6k budget the Toyota RAV4 is well worth a look at. For your budget go for 2004 through to 2006 with, ideally, main dealer service history. As another said do invest in winter tyres, chains are a bit of a pain. Also bear in mind that the diesel fuel in the mountains at below freezing temperatures can freeze up and you will be unable to start until it 'de-freezes'. The Subaru range of 4-wheel drives are also well worthwhile in the mountains.

As per Yumma: Skoda Octavia Estate (Estate had escaped my mind hence term touring).

4 x 4 cars tend to frankly understeer horribly on slippery roads. They are only useful in deep snow (never seen on roads, anywhere in world) or offroad (you are going skiing not farming). If you can't get up a hill going forward can always reverse up e.g. a driveway. If is worse than that then frankly you should not be on road anyway.

Talking of freezing in the winter I had been in L2A for a week and decided to fill up on the way down the hill ...My filler cap lock had frozen solid and took 20 mins of messing to defrost ..but I have had no problems with frozen diesel though

It's comes done to sane driving habits and the right tyres! Here is the beast I drove in the Rockies every weekend for 3 years, 1996 Ford Winstar. The only point here is the vehicle can be anything as long as you are prepared. That was 24 hours of snow, the Weekend was EPIC!