With an estimated 15,000  stranded motorists on French roads at the end of 2014 for the start of the New Year Ski Holidays, the need for sensible planning and preparation  for skiers driving to the Alps was highlighted in dramatic circumstances.

Here is our guide to safer winter driving:

1. Check Your Vehicle Before Departing

The reliability and lower necessity for maintenance of the modern vehicle has meant fewer motorists today check their vehicles regularly or before embarking on a long journey. However, when travelling to the Alps, where the extremities, severe temperatures, ice, snow, etc, place greater pressure on vehicles, this is one time we would suggest it really is necessary.

Typical checks (but not necessarily an exhaustive list) should include:

1. Tyres (in good condition) and tyre pressures, including spare
2. Tyre jack, including wheel lock in vehicle
3. Brakes (regularly serviced) in good condition
4. Windscreen wipers in good condition
5. Anti-freeze to avoid engine freezing on arrival
6. Windscreen wash fluid with anti-freeze (ideally top up available as salt and spray will result in a high usage)
7. Brake and clutch fluid levels topped up
8. Winter equipment (see below) in vehicle and checked to ensure they are in good order
9. General safety equipment in car (including safety triangle, fluorescent jacket, first aid kit, etc)
10. Spare bulbs, fuses, etc
11. Vehicle overall in a condition good (ideally recently serviced)
12. Car insurance is covered for driving abroad
13. Relevant requirements for driving in country or countries you will be driving to and through
14. Satellite navigation and maps

2. Driving in Winter Conditions

Our top tip is never under estimate how dangerous winter driving can be, it has a habit of biting you if you do! Braking distances for example are dramatically reduced in wintery weather and conditions, regardless of whether you have winter tyres and / or snow chains fitted. Also, the risk of sliding when cornering or making sudden steering changes is one of the main causes of severe accidents in winter and the Alps, quite often on black ice when drivers are least expecting it (e.g. where generally road conditions have been good but water from the mountain and / or a mountain shadow has created different conditions in a specific spot, etc).

So here is our advise to mitigating some of the driving risks in the alps to try and help reduce delays and injuries driving to the Alps:

1. Reduce dramatically your speed to match the conditions
2. Keep appropriate (and therefore longer) distances between your vehicle and the car in front
3. Use snow chains where conditions require to ensure appropriate traction (drive both within the snow chains permitted speeds and as appropriate for the conditions). Please note, snow chains should however only be used when necessary (where there is snow on the road) and you may be fined for inappropriate use in some countries
4. Avoid unnecessary braking or unless really necessary, braking abruptly – use gears (engine) to slow the vehicle down whenever reasonably possible
5. Slow down on bends to match conditions and take appropriate steps in respect of oncoming traffic wherever and whenever reasonably possible (e.g. bad drivers, or where large vehicles on some bends will have to cross white lines effecting oncoming traffic (i.e. you)).
6. Avoid unnecessary sudden movements on the steering wheel or acceleration that could cause the car to steer out of control. Steer and accelerate smoothly and as carefully as reasonably possible
7. Keep in a higher gear when and wherever reasonably possible and avoid high or erratic revving of the engine
8. If you start to slide, where possible, try to avoid braking, take the foot off the accelerator – generally the best cause of action is to steer into the skid until you regain control

Ideally, take a winter driving course before you go. The skills you will learn may not only come in handy during your car journey to and in the Alps, they are great skills you can use at home too.

3. Winter Tyres and Snow Chains

For the record, we think both are necessary for safety and traffic flow reasons, and in some countries, Switzerland for example, they are a legal requirement from November 1st to April 1st.

Winter Tyres

If you have ever wondered why a Renault Clio has passed your 4×4 with ease on a steep snowy incline then the answer is generally a simple one – snow tyres. Look closely and you’ll probably be surprised to see they look like a normal tyre (contrary to popular opinion they don’t have studs except in severe arctic / cold countries) with the only difference being the compound and tread. Certainly if you are making a couple of trips to the Alps they are a great investment, and can be used on UK and other European roads too. In fact, Several motorist organisations suggest that below 8 degrees celsius they are the generally the best option for safety over other tyres. Speaking from experience, we think you’ll be amazed at how much safer and easier driving is in winter conditions with them.

Snow Chains

Snow chains even where not obligatory, are a must in our view on some roads, in wintery conditions. Drivers should therefore ensure such are carried in the vehicle and in a good condition (we advise you lightly oil them at the end of the season to avoid rust / degradation but still check them prior to departure).

Having them in the car however is not enough in our view. The interesting fact that came out of the December 2014 debacle in France (that left motorists stranded for 24 hours) was that one of the factors that caused the severe delays not the just motorists not having snow chains, but not know how to fit them! We therefore strongly recommend you practice several times before your departure. Fitting them quickly avoids two things, firstly very cold hands (far nicer to practice getting it right (and practice is needed) in warm weather than sub zero temperatures with wet hands from the snow), and secondly, spending too long next to the road fitting them isn’t always the safest thing in any circumstance, least of all slippery conditions, so the least time spent fitting is definitely beneficial. On the latter point, wherever and whenever possible, pull over, off the road in a safe place, as soon as possible to fit them and if on or close to a road, don’t forget to use your warning triangle and hazard lights, ensuring passenger are outside the vehicle and waiting in a safe place.

4. Safety Equipment in the Alps

European safety requirements mean that a fluorescent jacket, and a red safety triangle are carried at all times (check other countries requirements too as additional requirements do exist) and in addition, we would recommend the following items:

1. Shovel
2. First Aid Kit
3. Blankets
4. Food rations for a minimum 24 hours and ideally hot drinks in a flask 
5. Torch
6. Telephone

5. In The Event of an Emergency

In most situations, as soon as safe to do so, driver and passengers should leave the vehicle and find a safe place to await  emergency help. Where the accident involves other vehicles, and or people, the general advice, but circumstance can change this, are to:

1. Stay calm
2. Get people to safety when and where they are able to be moved safely
3. Warn other vehicles of any dangers to avoid further accidents (safety triangle, hazard warning lights, etc)
4. If vehicles can’t be moved safely to a safe place, or there are injured parties, call the emergency services
5. Check the injured and advise authorities

112 Emergency Telephone Number for the European Alps

Austria, Italy, France and Switzerland, the number for emergency services is 112. In the event of an accident, try to be clear regarding:

1. The services you require (fire, ambulance, police, etc)
2. You exact – or nearest location and road you are on
3. What has happened and whether there are casualties involved

Drive Safe and Have A Great Ski Holiday

The above noted, in most circumstances, driving to the Alps is a great way to enjoy a ski holiday, and providing your drive safely, with the right equipment, it provides the flexibility where you can ski, stay, and see. Journey times vary, but most ski resorts can be reached in between 10 and 14 hours and with a stop over on the way, are often a great way to see other countries and really experience the scenery and culture.

Happy and safe driving to the alps from the Chalet Ski Holidays team!


NB: Our ski travel guide for winter driving and driving to the Alps is only a guide and it is not intended to be a definitive list, or should replace you own driver training, or safe decision making in respect of driving in and to the alps.