Preparing your car for a self drive ski holiday

Preparing your car properly before setting off to the French Alps is an important part of a successful self drive ski holiday.

A little preparation in advance can help ensure your journey runs smoothly and avoid unnecessary stress once you’re on the road, particularly when driving in winter conditions.

Quick preparation tips

• Check your vehicle is ready for a long journey

• Make sure you have the correct documents with you

• Ensure you have appropriate insurance and breakdown cover

• Prepare for winter driving conditions before heading into the mountains

What should you check before driving to the Alps?

Before setting off, it’s important to make sure your car is ready for a long journey.

This includes checking:

• tyres

• lights

• fluid levels

Making sure everything is in good working order before you leave will help reduce the risk of issues during your journey.

"If you take a roof box on your car then make sure you have a "test fit" so you know it works properly and doesn't create any whistling noises that are very annoying on long journeys. Pack some gaffer tape as well, just the job to stop the whistling noise." Tommy T

Do you need winter tyres or snow chains?

When driving to the French Alps in winter, you may need additional equipment depending on conditions and local regulations.

This can include:

• snow chains

• winter tyres

• snow socks

Requirements can vary depending on where you are travelling and weather conditions at the time, so it’s important to check before you go and ensure you are prepared.

What insurance and breakdown cover do you need?

Remember that you may not be automatically insured to drive in Europe with your current car insurance policy. Always check your policy wording carefully to check levels of cover and also whether you are covered for mountain roads.

Likewise, not all breakdown policies cover you when taking your car abroad. If you aren’t covered by your policy, you can consider upgrading your breakdown policy to one that covers you for driving in France, or alternatively you may find that a single-trip breakdown policy is better for you.

What should you do if your car breaks down?

If you do break down during your journey, it’s important to follow the correct procedures.

Here is what you should do:

• Put on your high visibility jacket and exit the car from the passenger side then get behind the safety barrier if possible

• Call for assistance. Please note: external breakdown companies such as the RAC or AA are prohibited from helping you on French motorways because they are privately managed. Therefore, if you breakdown on the motorway, you must call for assistance through one of the following methods:

1. Use an orange emergency phone box - these are located every 2km along the motorway - which will automatically detect your location

2. Use the SOS Autoroute App - you can get this downloaded and set up before you travel. This will automatically provide your location

3. If neither of the above options are available, call the European emergency number 112. For this option, you will need to provide details of your location including which motorway you are travelling on and in which direction as well as nearest exit or landmark.

• An authorised technician will be dispatched to you and should arrive within 30 minutes. They will either repair your vehicle roadside or tow it, either to a safe area off the motorway from where you can call your own UK breakdown cover or to the nearest garage.

Please note: you will likely be charged for this service (and asked for payment upfront) but can claim against your European breakdown cover policy.

Why is preparation important for a self drive ski holiday?

Taking the time to prepare your car properly before your trip will help ensure your journey is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

With everything in place before you leave, you can focus on enjoying the drive and making the most of your ski holiday.

Related guides

• Driving to the Alps from the UK: A Practical Guide

• Best routes to the French Alps from the UK

• Driving to the Alps with children

• What to pack for a self drive ski holiday

• Top tips for driving an EV to the Alps for skiing

• Do you need snow chains for a ski holiday in the Alps?