Skiing in the RS4

[aarghesfore]

Hi,

I am toying with the idea of going skiing with the family in the RS4. We are looking to go to Les Carroz d’araches which is about an hour from Geneva. The main motivator is that we are tied to the Feb half term so EasyJet flights alone will come in at close to £2k. I am a complete novice when it comes to this having always flown so had a few questions:

1/ Would you bother?

2/ Is it realistic to do it in one run (despite being chauffeured in an RS4 my 2 kids aren’t keen on long journeys so I was thinking I might try and drive through the night)?

3/ Would I have to take chains/snow socks and if so are they a nightmare to fit? Would summer tyres being OK provided I had chains/socks as a back up? I really don’t think I could be arsed with Winter Tyres on top given I live in London and would rarely use them.

4/ What is the best route?

Thanks.

[Spaceman_RS4]

I have two as new snow socks in the rs4 size bud, if you want a cheap pair there the proper auto sock ones bought them if I ever got caught In my focus Rs(it was lucky if it saw rain lol)

You can let me know if they are of use to you before you go I won't use them.

[stu]

I read up on this a while back. Snow Socks aren't recognised as legal equivalents to chains in europe. I'm not sure how strictly they police it.

[sonny]

At least you could use the ski bag

[Spaceman_RS4]

I thought some of the socks were recognised now but I also remember it is only certain parts that do sure the alps region has to be chains? Worth checking.

[stu]

Michelin Easy Grip are certified but aren't made for 19 inch wheels.

[stu]

I stand corrected. AutoSocks look like they're approved. Not sure how I missed that.

http://www.autosock.co.uk/autosock-snow ... rovals.php

I had bought a pair for my Z4 coupe but when that sold I gave them to my brother in law. The improvement in grip was truly amazing. I'd get some if I didn't already have winter tyres for the RS4.

[DSB]

Hi,

I am toying with the idea of going skiing with the family in the RS4. We are looking to go to Les Carroz d’araches which is about an hour from Geneva. The main motivator is that we are tied to the Feb half term so EasyJet flights alone will come in at close to £2k. I am a complete novice when it comes to this having always flown so had a few questions:

1/ Would you bother?

2/ Is it realistic to do it in one run (despite being chauffeured in an RS4 my 2 kids aren’t keen on long journeys so I was thinking I might try and drive through the night)?

3/ Would I have to take chains/snow socks and if so are they a nightmare to fit? Would summer tyres being OK provided I had chains/socks as a back up? I really don’t think I could be arsed with Winter Tyres on top given I live in London and would rarely use them.

4/ What is the best route?

Thanks.

A group of us drive down to the French Alps twice a year, every year in a minibus. To be honest I would never go by plane now, so to answer your questions.....

1) Yes, and made even better in an RS.

2) If you go by the Tunnel then yes definately. Catching 10am train will get you to Geneva by 5-6pm ..... and thats in a minibus taking it relatviely easy.

3) Considering you are taking the whole family I would probably switch to winter tyres, and yes definately buy chains. We bought a set of cheap petrol station chains once and they lasted about 2 minutes, so don't scrimp on the chains (we have a set of Thules that are great). Once you get the hang of it they are also pretty easy to fit, just a bit of faffing at the first couple of atempts. Starting to see more and more socks in the Alps now but I couldn't comment much on them.

4) This is a great website for routes and ideas...... www.viamichelin.co.uk

......Given the chance I would really like to drive down in the Audi as the French motorways are brilliant and driving through the Alps is amazing scenery. Plus believe it or not you actually arrive quite refreshed as you go down in your own time and its pretty relaxed - although admitedily I have never done it with screaming kids !!!

Anyway hope that all helps

Boarder or skier ?

[aarghesfore]

Thanks for the info Dsb, just need to persuade the wife and kids now and think about winter tyres.

I'm a boarder. It would look pretty cool to just have the board on the roof bars but would need a box on too I guess.

I guess the kids will be the deciding factor - I'm old enough to have been a kid staring at the vinyl door card of a Cortina on long journeys. My two have iPads, 3ds' and DVD players and they still kick off. They don't know the are born, etc...

[adsgreen]

Socks are great.
Have set for almost all cars.
Used them on swimbo's mini and had great fun/smugness stopping on a hill to ask couple farmer types in a land river if they needed any help. They then watched very bling chick car pull away straight up the hill they were stuck on.

However get some decent gloves - clearance between wheel and arch can lead to scuffed fingers.