Client area
Travel
Self drive: LeShuttle & ferry
Self-drive ski holidays with travel by Eurotunnel LeShuttle or ferry
As a self-drive ski specialist, we recommend driving to the French Alps if you're looking for flexibility, value for money and want to be in control of your journey. Take as much luggage as you need (sledges, skis, boots - the lot!), stop en-route to break up your journey or head straight down. Find out more below if you have any questions, call our friendly team on 023 9283 9310.
Why drive to the French Alps?
Here are just some of the reasons to choose a self-drive ski holiday:
Flexibility - be in control of your own timetable.
Take as much luggage as you need (including sport and leisure equipment at no extra charge). This is also ideal for families that tend to come with a lot more stuff!
Stop en route as and when you choose. Make the journey a part of the holiday, maybe visit a little vineyard on the way through Burgundy?
Make use of the car while in the resort - explore a nearby resort.
A self-drive ski holiday offers excellent value for money - here at Peak Retreats we have negotiated great prices with the ferry companies and Eurotunnel LeShuttle so you can rest assured that you are getting exceptional value.
Eurotunnel LeShuttle
Folkestone-Calais
Ski drive has never been so easy! Our standard ski holiday package includes a return standard Eurotunnel LeShuttle crossing for a standard car with a FREE FlexiPlus upgrade except at some school holiday weeks, giving you not only the flexibility to travel on the next available departure on the day you're booked to travel but also a dedicated check-in lane, priority boarding and use of the lounge with complimentary facilities.
The LeShuttle crossing is just 35 minutes and there are up to 4 departures per hour.
Please note: LPG vehicles are not permitted.
The FlexiPlus lounge
Begin your journey in style with a pit-stop in one of the FlexiPlus lounges, which are open on the UK and French sides. You can take advantage of complimentary refreshments, free newspaper and magazine downloads and WiFi.
Why choose Peak Retreats?
Supplements
Some supplements for peak dates apply (contact us for details).
Eurotunnel LeShuttle has changed its classification of some vehicles and VW Transporter, Mercedes Vito and other vans over 1.85m high are now classed as vans (rather than high cars) so a supplement may apply, please call us for a quote.
For a standard car plus up to 8 passengers, FlexiPlus upgrade supplement is nil except for certain peak dates. Please enquire.
Supplement for high space vehicles classed as cars by Eurotunnel LeShuttle (over 1m85 including anything on the roof):
£10-£50 supplement each way (all dates)
Supplements for an extra car on a booking:
Please enquire for cost based on your travel date and Eurotunnel LeShuttle ticket type.
Please note: supplements shown are calculated on the basis of our tour operator allocated space. Occasionally, space may not be available at these fares, in which case we may have to charge the operator's full brochure price. If this occurs, it will, of course, be made clear to you at the time of booking. The same operator must be used for the outward and return journey.
The benefits of Eurotunnel LeShuttle FlexiPlus for your ski holiday
Flexibility - relax and enjoy your journey without having to worry about arriving on time for a specific departure time as long as it's the day you're booked to travel. Leave from home or from the ski resort when you are ready and avoid the stress of having to meet a particular departure time. During peak travel times, you are kindly requested to respect your reserved departure time as close as possible. The Eurotunnel LeShuttle service is very popular during these peak travel times.
Priority check-in - enjoy the use of exclusive Check-in booths/lane where you will be offered the next available departure (up to 4 per hour during most of the day).
Priority boarding - once you are in your designated FlexiPlus lane, you will be boarded on the next shuttle ahead of other passengers. Remember, first on, first off and onwards to your destination.
Designated parking place - if stopping off for a bite to eat or last-minute shopping then you are entitled to park in the designated spaces close to the Passenger Terminal Buildings.
The FlexiPlus lounge - FlexiPlus lounges are open on both the UK and French sides of the Eurotunnel LeShuttle. Begin your journey in style with a pit-stop in a dedicated FlexiPlus lounge.
The lounge opens 06.00 to 22.00 daily (local time) offering you complimentary refreshments, free downloads of newspapers and magazines, and WiFi.
Outside opening hours the Passenger Terminal building, situated before border controls in the UK and after border controls in France, will be happy to welcome you. However complimentary refreshments and free newspaper and magazine downloads will not be available.
Ferry travel information
Peak Retreats can book P&O Ferries or DFDS Ferries.
P&O - from Hull-Rotterdam if you live in the north of the country or ferries from the south coast across to France from Dover-Calais
DFDS - from the south coast across to France on the Dover to Calais or Dunkirk route.
Please contact us for pricing. You can making savings by taking the ferry, depending on route.
Miss the queues at the toll plazas and arrive at the ski resort first... Book Emovis!
Emovis has extended its Liber-t automatic toll payment service to UK motorists. To use the service all you need to do is register online and they will send you a small electronic transponder (or tag) that you attach to your windscreen just behind the rear-view mirror. As you approach the barriers, a device by the barrier will read your transponder (or tag), securely extract your unique reference and then automatically open the barrier without you having to stop. So, if you want to skip the queues sign up for a liber-t tag with Emovis.
Ski Drive: Snowchains (to buy or hire)
The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable and snow chains are a must when driving on mountain roads. Snow chains are compulsory in some parts of Europe, especially the mountainous regions in France. Since November 2021, it's been a legal requirement to have either winter tyres fitted or to carry/wear snow chains at all times between 1st November and 31st March - this is taken very seriously - and even if you are travelling after 31st March, it's still strongly advised as heavy late snow can require their use to safely drive to and from and within resort.
Since 2022, the only acceptable snow tyres will be those marked with the 3PMSF marking (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake).
Update 09/02/26- Regarding snow socks, depending on weather conditions and the state of the road surface, we have been advised that French law enforcement officers may deny access to the resorts of Val Thorens, St Martin de Belleville and Les Menuires for vehicles equipped with ‘snow socks’ if these are not suitable for heavily snow-covered or icy roads. This is currently applicable for the resorts mentioned following a municipal decree announced in February 2026, but this could become the case more widely in the future so it is something to bear in mind. Even with the 3PMSF tyres, in heavy snowfall snow chains could be mandatory.
Failure to carry snow chains or not use them at the correct time has a result of being issued a €135 fine. In addition, if your vehicle is involved in an incident where snow chains should have been used, it is automatically considered to be your fault! You should always carry snow chains when visiting the French Alps for a ski holiday.
We've arranged a special discount for Peak Retreats clients with Polar Snowchains. So if you're looking to buy or hire snow chains, ask us for details when you book your holiday.
Polar Snowchains | 01732 360 638 | snowchains.com | How to put on snow chains
