Calais is the gateway to France for many driving down to the Alps. If you take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone then you'll arrive in Calais. Our ski holidays come with a standard Eurotunnel crossing and we give you a free upgrade to the premium FlexiPlus service, except at some school holiday weeks. Great access to the motorway from Calais mean it's easy to get straight on with the drive to the mountains!
Why Calais?
There a host of benefits to travelling with Eurotunnel (the FlexiPlus lounges being one of them). The drive from Calais to the mountains can be done in one day (the route from Calais is mostly motorway). However, if you’re travelling with children or just want to break up your journey, you could look at an overnight stop. We can arrange en-route accommodation for you in Laon, Reims, Dijon, Beaune, Annecy, Albertville, Chambery, Grenoble and many other locations.
Getting to Calais
As well as the Eurotunnel from Folkstone to Calais, you could take a ferry from Dover to Calais. If it's more convenient, we also offer travel with other ferry operators, for example, Brittany Ferries who operate ferries to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, St Malo and Roscoff - just ask us for details.
Ski Resorts Nearest Calais
To save you time researching we’ve created a list of the best ski resorts near Calais...
1. Saint Gervais: 549 miles (approx 7hrs 45mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 219 slopes (37 green, 63 blue, 84 red, 33 black)
- 445km pistes
- 83 lifts
- Top resort height of 2350m
Saint Gervais is great for beginners, intermediates, snowboarders, non-skiers and families (Saint Gervais has the Famille Plus label). Tramway du Mont-Blanc, hiking, climbing, ice skating, paragliding, thermal spas and the Mont Blanc baths, are just some of the activities offered in Saint Gervais.
Journey Facts: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A6. It costs around 74 euros in tolls.
2. Le Grand Bornand: 537 miles (approx 7hrs 45mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 131 slopes (36 green, 45 blue, 44 red, 10 black)
- 220km pistes
- 80 lifts
- Top resort height of 2100m
Good for intermediates, snowboarders and families. The resort has the Famille Plus label and the Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA). Le Grand Bornand's après-ski options include 30 restaurants and bars in the village plus 15 altitude restaurants.
Journey Summary: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A6. It costs around 71 euros in tolls.
3. Chamrousse: 563 miles (approx 9 hours)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 41 slopes (8 green, 14 blue, 13 red, 6 black)
- 90km pistes
- 18 lifts
- Top resort height of 2250m
Chamrousse is good for beginners and intermediates. Think stunning views and tree-lined, forest runs. Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice diving are some of the winter activities on offer.
Journey Summary: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A26 and A6. It costs around 78 euros in tolls.
4. Chamonix: 558 miles (approx 7hrs 55mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 69 slopes (8 green, 28 blue, 20 red, 10 black)
- 110km pistes
- 39 lifts
- Top resort height of 3864m
Well-suited for expert skiers and snowboarders. There's plenty to do in Chamonix, from visiting the famous Mer de Glace or the Aiguille du Midi, to enjoying one of the many restaurants, bars and shops.
Journey Summary: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A6. It costs around 74 euros in tolls.
5. Samoëns: 548 miles (approx 7hrs 55mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 144 slopes (34 green, 119 blue, 101 red, 32 black)
- 265km pistes
- 196 lifts
- Top resort height of 2500m
Journalist Jane Knight described Samoëns as, "both a ski resort and a typical French village. This is the real France, full of colourful locals..." in The Guardian. Samoens is best for beginners, intermediates and free-riders.
Journey Summary: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A26 and A5. It costs around 59 euros in tolls.
6. Les Gets: 543 miles (approx 8hrs 38mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 280 slopes (34 green, 119 blue, 101 red, 32 black)
- 650km pistes
- 196 lifts
- Top resort height of 2350m
Les Gets is great for beginners, intermediates and families and has the Famille Plus and the Top of the French Alps labels. For après-ski, there's restaurants, a cinema, several bars, a nightclub and bowling.
Journey Summary: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A6. It costs around 70 euros in tolls.
7. Morzine: 538 miles (7hrs 30 mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 280 slopes (34 green, 119 blue, 101 red, 32 black)
- 650km pistes
- 196 lifts
- Top resort height of 2350m
Good for beginners, intermediates and families - it also has the Famille Plus and the Top of the French Alps labels. The après-ski options at Morzine are the 10 altitude restaurants, lots of bars, 2 cinemas, clubs, shops, etc.
Journey Summary: The quickest and cheapest route is via the A6. It costs around 70 euros in tolls.
8. Les Carroz d’Araches: 540 miles (7hrs 40mins)
Quick Ski Facts:
- 145 slopes (20 green, 64 blue, 50 red, 14 black)
- 245km pistes
- 71 lifts
- Top resort height of 2840m
Good for intermediates, snowboarders and families - it is a Famille Plus resort. For après-ski, there are restaurants and bars, a nightclub and cinema. Look out for the DJ on the floodlit Timalet slope on selected dates.
Journey Summary: The quickest route is via the A26 and A39. It costs around 72 euros in tolls.
If you're ready to book your next ski holiday or if you need some advice on where to stay, call us on 023 9283 9310 or request a quote and we will find you the perfect Alpine holiday! Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter to get all the latest news and deals.
*Transfer times and journey summaries are estimates.
