Top 5 European ski resorts you can drive to in as little as 9 hours
Gone are the days of weighing your luggage at the airport and hoping your ski boots don’t tip the scales over 20kg. A growing number of Brits are rediscovering the benefits of driving to the alps, and the journey is much easier than many realise.
Ski Solutions have revealed the top five ski resorts accessible by car from the UK, each within 8 to 9.5 hours of Calais. With a full car reducing emissions by up to 67% compared to flying, the approach is gaining appeal among environmentally conscious winter sports travellers. All journeys begin with LeShuttle or ferry to Calais, followed by motorway routes to resort.
As well as having the most accessible ski resorts, France also does well in the list of the most affordable ski resorts, ranked by real daily costs. The five most accessible major ski resorts are:
1. La Plagne: 9 hours 15 minutes / 972km from Calais
Comprised of 11 villages, a ski holiday in La Plagne can offer something for everyone. Families can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in Montchavin or Les Coches, whilst Plagne-Centre and Belle Plagne offer a livelier scene that is perfect for groups. The whole connected area has towering mountains to the east, south and west; creating a wonderfully preserved bubble of brilliant snow and glorious sunshine.
Skiers can choose to opt for a full Paradiski lift pass, which gives access to one of the world’s largest ski areas. Home to some 425km of terrain stretching up to a peak altitude of 3,250m there’s plenty of skiing for everyone.
2.Les Deux Alpes – 8 hours 45 minutes / 935km from Calais
Les Deux Alpes is a bustling village with access to the second largest glacier in France that enables snow-sure skiing almost all year round. The drive from Calais is straightforward. An easy motorway route all the way to Grenoble, before switching to a 65km road that connects to the resort. When you arrive, you will find a vast 220km of pistes, with the option to ski over into connecting areas such as La Grave, where you will find some of the best lift-accessed off-piste ski terrain in the world.
Les Deux Alpes is home to a great choice of traditional French restaurants that serve up hearty Savoyard cuisine and classic local dishes such as tartiflette and cheese fondue. The resort is very accessible, with excellent public transport links to the lifts, restaurants and bars so it’s unlikely you will need to use your car.
3. Méribel – 8 hours 45 minutes / 957km from Calais
Méribel is one of the best ski resorts to drive to from the UK, with an easy motorway route available from Calais to Moûtiers, followed by a short 25km hill up into the town. The resort itself is world-renowned for its magical forest setting, après bars and bi-weekly street market.
4. Alpe d’Huez – 9 hours / 930km from Calais
One of the best self-drive ski resorts, Alpe d’Huez offers self-drivers the same easy route from Calais to Grenoble, followed by a scenic climb up to the resort via a route that has been made famous by the Tour de France in the summer months. The ski resort has been purpose-built to offer snow-sure conditions combined with wonderful sunshine.
Nicknamed ‘island in the sun’, Alpe d’Huez’s prime position offers skiers an average of 300 sunny days per year. There’s access to the high-altitude Pic Blanc glacier guaranteeing snowy slopes even in the later, sunniest months of the season. With 250km of slopes spread out across its ski area, there’s plenty of skiing for everyone.
5. Val d’Isère – 9 hours 20 minutes / 998km from Calais
As one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, Val d’Isère is a great ski holiday choice. The drive may take a little longer from the UK. However, you will be rewarded by dramatic scenery as you climb the valley from Bourg St Maurice. Brimming with rustic chalets, luxurious hotels, bustling après bars and gourmet eateries; Val d’Isère has earned its place on the map as a must-visit destination.
Up on the mountain, the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area is hard to contend with. The ski area offers 300km of pistes that connect with the neighbouring Tignes ski resort. Try the infamous ‘La Face’ black run – an epic cliff face that was originally built for the winter Olympics.
Ian Mcllrath at Ski Solutions comments, “The appeal of driving has shifted dramatically, it’s no longer about just saving costs. Skiers are attracted to the freedom of packing without restrictions, travel on their own schedule, and avoid the pressures of busy airports. At the same time, environmental considerations are playing a much bigger role in travel decisions.”To discover more resorts that you can drive to from the UK, please visit: Best Ski Resorts To Drive To 2025/2026 | Ski Solutions.
