Don’t Slip Up En Route to the Slopes

A survey conducted by Michelin has found that one in three drivers get lost when on holiday in France. In response the company has given its advice for the safest way to drive to the slopes this year.

“Regular UK ski/drive holidaymakers have adopted the same policy as many motorists in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria and fit their cold weather tyres when there is an R in the month. In fact London is the second largest sales area for Michelin cold weather tyres behind Scotland, indicating that ski fans are purchasing tyres especially for their journeys to the slopes. If you are planning a similar trip prepare your car with cold weather tyres, de-icer, anti-freeze screen wash, a blanket or two and some reserve refreshments,” the manufacturer explained.

“Tyres, as always, are the vital contact point between the car and the road but with the added complication of much colder, wet asphalt, tyre performance in these conditions is critical. The Michelin Alpin tyre range has been designed to operate in just these conditions: where the ambient temperature is constantly below 7 degrees Celsius,” Michelin representatives continued.

Michelin’s research found that route planning is another essential for a stress free journey. 10 per cent of travellers waste more than an hour hunting for the correct route or destination and 50 per cent of motorists crossing the Channel had not even equipped themselves with a map before leaving Britain, the company reports.

Michelin found that 60 per cent of drivers returning to Britain were uncertain of the motorway speed limits in France. The Code de la Route – the French equivalent of the Highway Code – states that on a toll motorway the speed limit is 130 km/h unless the surface is wet, or it is snowing when the upper limit is 110 km/h (80 mph) or 65mph if wet.