Tips for Renting a Car on a Ski Vacation

As soon as the month starts with an “r,” many people start getting excited again: snow is on the way, and with it, winter sports! Just the anticipation is fun: getting the skis out of storage and waxing them again, buying new ski clothes, or picking out a pair of trendy ski goggles. And, of course, the question: where are we going this year, and most importantly, how?

Consider renting a car to drive to your ski destination. More and more people are also choosing to fly to their winter sports destination and rent a car once they arrive. Whichever option you choose, a rental car gives you plenty of flexibility during your ski vacation. However, there are a few extra things to keep in mind, and we’ll tell you about them here. The key word is: planning!

Reserve your rental car well in advance

You’re not the only one choosing a rental car as your mode of transportation during a winter sports vacation. And you likely have specific preferences for the type of car, depending on the number of travel companions and the skis and other equipment you’ll be bringing along. So be sure to book well in advance—it would be a shame if the car class you have in mind is no longer available. Rates also tend to be higher the closer you book to your departure date.

Renting a Car with Winter Tires

In many countries, winter tires are mandatory, usually between November 1 and April 15. Sometimes this requirement applies only in certain areas, such as in France, Italy, and Spain. Additionally, in many winter sports destinations, snow chains are required during heavy snowfall. Fines for failing to comply with these rules can be quite high. Tires marked M+S (Mud & Snow) are often sufficient, but tires with the Alpine symbol (mountains with a snowflake) are better.

If you’ve rented a car and are picking it up, be sure to check not only that the tires are the right type but also that the tread depth is sufficient. In Austria, for example, the minimum tread depth is 4 millimeters. Also check other important items for a winter sports vacation: your rental car’s lights, the first-aid kit, the warning triangle, and the spare tire.

So make sure you rent a car that’s well-equipped so you don’t run into any surprises. Some companies include winter tires in the rental price, but that’s not always the case. Please note: In some countries, you’ll also need snow chains, as they’re required on certain roads. These are almost never included, so you’ll need to reserve them separately.

Rental Car with Skis on the Roof

While we’re on the topic of booking extras: you’ll probably want a ski box or rack on the roof of your rental car to transport your skis. You’ll need to order these separately as well and—just like snow chains—usually pay for them on-site at the rental agency.

Checklist: Other Essentials

In addition to winter tires, snow chains, and items like a first-aid kit and safety vests, there are other essentials you shouldn’t forget to pack in your rental car when heading out for a winter sports trip. Here’s a list:

• A good ice scraper to clear ice from your windows.

• A car brush to remove snow from the car.

• Your windshield will almost always be fogged up when you get in the car. Make sure you have a cloth or chamois handy.

• Windshield washer fluid with antifreeze—make sure the reservoir is full and keep an extra bottle in the trunk.

• Enough water and snacks for all passengers. Not just for the trip there and back, but also while you’re in the winter sports area. You wouldn’t be the first person to unexpectedly get stuck for a while due to heavy traffic, winter weather, or an accident.

• A flashlight—or better yet, a headlamp. Why? Well, just imagine putting on snow chains on a dark mountain road…

• Cash. Huh, don’t we pay for everything with a debit card in the Netherlands? Yes, in the Netherlands, but that’s not the case everywhere. Plus, the fees for withdrawing money from an ATM abroad can be high. So bring some cash (in small bills) for when you can’t use your debit card.

• A car charger for your phone, because the battery drains faster in cold weather. Also make sure to bring a power bank so you can still make calls even if both your car’s battery and your phone’s battery are dead.

Renting and Insuring a Car

We Dutch aren’t used to harsh winter conditions (anymore), and certainly not to driving in mountainous areas. Take it from us: it’s essential to properly insure your rental car during a winter sports trip. Not only because the risk of accidents due to slippery roads increases, but also to cover damage caused by, for example, the use of snow chains. And be sure to arrange that insurance in advance, not on the spot, because it will cost you much more that way.

Don’t drive back until Sunday

Saturday is traditionally the day when winter sports enthusiasts arrive and depart. That means the roads are very busy on those days, but the ski slopes are relatively quiet. Once your vacation is over, you can take advantage of this. Check out on Saturday morning, enjoy a nice afternoon of skiing, then drive your rental car to a place to stay that’s not too far away, and don’t start the long drive back to the Netherlands until the next morning—Sunday. Plus, there are no trucks on the German highways on Sundays. That extra overnight stay makes the trip a little more expensive, but it’s so much more relaxing! Be sure to book your hotel well in advance so you’re guaranteed a place to stay.

You can also use this trick on the way there by setting out on Friday and spending the night from Friday to Saturday not far from your destination.

Arrange these things in advance, too

Just as the roads to and from the ski resorts are very busy on Saturdays, the same goes for ski equipment rental shops and ski schools. Make sure to arrange all of these things in advance—which is very easy to do online these days. Avoid wasting hours sorting out all those details. As soon as you arrive at your destination in your rental car, you can hit the slopes!

Airports Near Winter Sports Destinations

If you’re flying to a winter sports destination, you’ll naturally want to land as close to the ski resorts as possible. But which airports are best suited for this?

The airports closest to areas with guaranteed snow are in Austria: pick up your rental car at the Innsbruck or Salzburg airport, and you’ll be driving to the largest ski resorts in Tyrol and the Salzburg region, respectively, within an hour.

As the name suggests, ski resorts in both Switzerland and France are accessible from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. The same applies to Geneva Airport, which also has both a French and a Swiss section.

For the winter sports destinations located a bit further south in the French Alps, Chambéry Airport is ideal.

Would you rather go on a winter sports trip to South Tyrol in Italy? Bolzano Airport is perfectly located for that. Several ski resorts are within a 45-minute drive from the airport in your rental car.