The ski season is in motion and many of us are looking towards hitting the slopes to make the most from the cold weather! When going on a ski holiday, you’ll need a way to get to the resort which is usually done by transfers or public transport. However, renting a car for a ski holiday can be the more practical option.
Is it worth renting a car for your ski holiday?
Opting for a rental car for your ski holiday really depends on your travel plans! If you’re only a short distance to the resort with little luggage, it may be more sensible to get a transfer. Alternatively, when making your own way to the ski resort in a rental car you could benefit from:
- More freedom with your holiday to explore nearby areas or resorts.
- Additional room for luggage and ski gear.
- Comfort with your own transport space.
- Potentially can save money if you’re travelling with a small group or family.
I suppose you may be also wondering about the weather conditions on your journey to the slopes. Many assume that a transfer will be more equipped to handle the wintery roads conditions compared to a rental car. However, this is not the case as rental cars are often required to prepare for ‘winterisation’ throughout the ski season…
Get to grips with winterisation
Winterisation entails the rental car being fit with snow tyres to handle icy roads. The winterisation of your rental car will be included in the base price of most car rental providers we work with over winter. This means you won’t need to worry about your car getting stuck in the snow! Snow chains can also be added too for extra precaution and may even be a legal requirement in some areas (depending on the weather conditions)! If you’re renting from a location that doesn’t usually expect snow but are driving to a resort, contact us first to see if your car needs to be winterised for your trip to the ski slopes.
For more information, read our blog on car rental winterisation.
Choosing the right rental car for a ski trip
They’ll be hundreds of car rental providers offering a whole host of different cars to rent. It may be wise not to just opt in for the cheapest car rental quote available but instead see which will be best suited for your trip. Consider the power of the vehicle, the category size, the seat and luggage capacity, the fuel type, and any inclusions that you’ll need. All these specifications can be filtered in our quote results page.
Additional extras for ski goers
With some providers, ski racks can be attached to your rental car as a locally paid extra (pay at car rental desk). This will be ideal for any ski pros thinking about bringing their own gear! Child or boosters can also be added if your young children are joining you for the ski trip.
Plan ahead and stay protected
Driving up to the mountains can be intimidating for anyone who isn’t used to driving in harsh conditions. Although your cars will be equipped for the weather, it’s worth preparing yourself with a route planned and extra supplies in the unlikely event of an accident or break down. This is especially the case if you’re planning to drive at night! Items like torches, blankets, and snacks will be essential for a long winter drive.
Stay protected with our Industry-leading Top-up Insurance
If you’re worried about potentially getting stuck with huge repair costs after an unfortunate collision or accident, it may be worth taking out more insurance. Standard car rental insurance doesn’t cover all parts of the vehicle. Loss or damage to wheels, windows, mirrors, underside, and more will only be covered with additional insurance.
Our fully comprehensive Top-up insurance covers loss and damage that’s not covered at an unbeatable price! Compared to the provider’s additional insurance, Top-up protects the customer instead of the company. For more information, read our blog on what does top-up insurance cover?
