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Just spent 4 days walking in the alps based in Chamonix. We flew out as from Manchester as driving from North Wales to Chamonix via the tunnel was just going to be too far! Thanks to the guys who suggested the multi-storey car-park at Manchester Airport - the car was fine and sounded great when I started it up on my return!

I was having lunch in Chamonix with my wife when we were talking about the ideal car to bring down to the alps for a skiing weekend - she was talking A4 Avant Quattro or A6 (3.0 TDI) and I was saying the B7 RS4. She said that we'd never see a British registered RS4 this far south, it was just too far. At that precise moment, I swear, I heard a V8 inbound - YES - a B7 RS4 Avant, grey, stock exhaust (Brit registered and private plate, began with a 'C') - he couldn't have timed it better. My wife thought I'd planned it!

So thanks anonymous Chamonix RS4 guy - you helped me win my argument and made me wish I'd driven down - point taken

I've never been skiing or boarding - I'd probably be hopeless - but I'd love to drive the S4 through France in winter to the Alps. Got winter wheels and tyres now and my little cousin finished all his ski instructor quals last winter and works out there in the winter, no excuse really, I need to pull my fingers out!

I've wanted to drive to Chamonix ever since I got the RS4. I've chickened out the last two seasons.

The season gone would have been epic: I was in Austria for a week then trained it to Chamonix for the following week. I made the fatal mistake of calculating costs on a spreadsheet so flying and trains won in the end. I already have the winter tyres so maybe next season ..

Just as an aside, I'm just back from a great five days on the south coast of England. The drive there and back was a breeze. The 800 miles at 24mpg makes me think my costing of the Newcastle-Mayrhofen-Chamonix-Newcastle route was wrong. Damn.

.

I don't actually think a run at 24 mpg is too bad. I've a mate with the 3.0 TDI and he says he can get 20 mpg if he really pushes it, best is early to mid-thirty mpg. The RS4 has lower running costs than most people realise - my 40k service was a straight £400, try that in your 911. So, all in all, I think taking the an RS or S to the south of France is probably not a bad idea. I just need snow, lots of it, and winter tyres.

And a camera for my power slides WOOP WOOP!!!!

Ian_C wrote:I've never been skiing or boarding - I'd probably be hopeless - but I'd love to drive the S4 through France in winter to the Alps. Got winter wheels and tyres now and my little cousin finished all his ski instructor quals last winter and works out there in the winter, no excuse really, I need to pull my fingers out!

ITS THE BEST HOLIDAY YOU WILL EVER HAVE !!!!!!

If you have never been boading or sking try it , to stand on the top of a mountian looking our across the alps is .......... EPIC , it just costs a small fortune. if you want any ideas on were to go, give me a shout.


Dominic

One of the main reasons I've ordered a S4 avant is for snowboarding trips so I can take my gear with. Having just had a little kid I think it will be easier driving rather than lugging all the stuff on the plane for the 6-7 trips I usually do annually.

On a different note, it needn't be too expensive, there are ways of keeping costs down (eg Easyjet, apartments etc)

dominic1 wrote:
ITS THE BEST HOLIDAY YOU WILL EVER HAVE !!!!!!

Dominic

+1

My favourite holiday by far with mates, extended family or more extreme stuff with like minded souls. I'm doing the Haute Route this season on a split board. I might drive for that - especially if I can tack on a few days with some mates afterwards for a slightly more chilled out beery holiday.

I must say though, my favourite weeks were the one's I was a beginner skier. I missed the learning curve so did it all again on a board. I now love both, but snowboarding is my favourite. Do either. But do do one!

It's been asked a million times on other websites, but does anyone know for sure the rules on snow chains? Will I need to invest in a set to use in addition to my winter tyres?
EDIT: cancel that. The answer is yes. I better hunt for a set that will play nice with stock 19 inch rims and my winter 255/35s

dominic1 wrote:

Ian_C wrote:I've never been skiing or boarding - I'd probably be hopeless - but I'd love to drive the S4 through France in winter to the Alps. Got winter wheels and tyres now and my little cousin finished all his ski instructor quals last winter and works out there in the winter, no excuse really, I need to pull my fingers out!

ITS THE BEST HOLIDAY YOU WILL EVER HAVE !!!!!!

If you have never been boading or sking try it , to stand on the top of a mountian looking our across the alps is .......... EPIC , it just costs a small fortune. if you want any ideas on were to go, give me a shout.


Dominic

Hahaha yeah I should sort it, my best mate goes skiing every year with his Mrs and mates and said he would jump on board rather than take the plane if I drove! So it would be a case of go with them or go to where my cousin is instructing.

Well, I live in Chamonix and just about to purchase a B7 RS4 Avant and I'm almost pissing mysely with excitement in driving it from the UK to Chamonix. Cant wait to get off this stinking oil rig!!!!

Cant wait to see how much it'll cost me!!!!

Tile Diver wrote:Well, I live in Chamonix and just about to purchase a B7 RS4 Avant and I'm almost pissing mysely with excitement in driving it from the UK to Chamonix. Cant wait to get off this stinking oil rig!!!!

Cant wait to see how much it'll cost me!!!!

I am slightly jealous! I'll be picking your brains about snow chains in a few months time.

Dunno if you've thought this far, but Audi Assist do a very competitive Europe wide service. Worth purchasing when you get the car. The car doesn't have to be bought from Audi.

The car will be a private sale, but I'll definately be looking into the euro thing, is it a warranty?

No, just a breakdown and recovery service like AA/RAC. I don't have a warranty on my car but there's be manys a topic on that one which it could probably hunt out.

I did it!

But in a b5 not b7.....

Awesome trip, although we didn't make it to the top of mont blanc....

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What was the fuel bill like Ollys?

Tile Diver wrote:What was the fuel bill like Ollys?

But worth every penny especially launching from peage tolls