Top 10 Cars To Take To A Ski Resort

Sometimes a new car comes out and you think it would suit one particular use perfectly, or at least it would be fun to have a go. The Ferrari FF was that car for us at Autoviva. The big V12 engined Ferrari comes with four wheel drive and some luggage carrying capacity.

As a keen skier I started to wonder what other cars would cope with the annual winter trip to the Alps. The Ferrari is on that list, but we have come up with nine others too, ranging from very sensible to totally outrageous. We like to add some spice to our lists... have a look and see whether you agree!

Autoviva's first choice for a trip into the snow: The Ferrari FF. Obviously.

© photo courtesy of: Ferrari

Ferrari FFFerrari FFItaly, 2011 > present24 photos
1 video

When I first saw the FF with its slightly ungainly rump and four-wheel-drive system I immediately thought about a dash to the French Alps.

For me a GT car should be long legged and fast, the FF appeals on both levels. It rides pretty well, and now has a manageable media system. It also has one of the best engine and gearbox combinations known to man.

The 670bhp V12 is sonorous and very smooth, working beautifully with the double clutch gearbox. That combination makes an awful lot of sense in the FF. It, dare I say it, might even feel quicker than a Lamborghini Aventador.

But why is it good for ‘us’ skiers? Because, for the first time in a while it has enough space for a couple to take all their ski stuff with them, and their skis!

Not only that, but the four wheel drive system is one of the best I’ve sampled. It is worth noting that the wide, low profile tyres may not be the best in snow, but you can always fit some winter tyres.

Even better than that is the fact that this four wheel drive system will allow you to have some fun on the way. It doesn’t scrabble like a Lamborghini or even an Audi R8, and feels beautifully neutral, even if the traction control is a bit intrusive.

Although the fuel consumption may see you stopping more often than a stereotypical diesel 4X4, this is surely the way to arrive outside La Cave nightclub in Courchevel 1850.

The FF is spacious enough for the skiing equipment

© photo courtesy of: Ferrari

Range RoverLand Rover Range Rover 3....United Kingdom, 2010 > present2 photos

If I am happy to lope somewhere in opulence, of the English Home Counties variety, it is a Range Rover I would often be most keen to use.

Over the last seven years Range Rover has brought out a plethora of new models. Included within this bunch is the Sport, I’d like to make it clear that I am not talking about the Sport.

Indeed, what is the point in having a sporty Range Rover? A car that is still best when driven slowly, but feels less opulent? Well, it is cheaper than its big brother, and rightly so but...

Yes, it is the full-size Range Rover I’m talking about, with the 3.6 litre V8 diesel under the bonnet. Why the big engine I hear you ask? Not because it makes the car go faster, but because it makes progress significantly quieter at the start of the journey and more effortless throughout.

If you have no need to get to your resort in record time, and you want to arrive in comfort and relaxation, a Range Rover is the only way to travel.

Our choice for those who appreciate travelling in style: the Range Rover 3.6 V8

© photo courtesy of: Land Rover

BMW M550d x-drive TouringBMW M550d xDrive TouringGermany, 2012 > present3 photos

What kinds of facets does one need in a car which is to be used for getting to and then traversing alpine passes? This is especially relevant if you have a family but still like driving and you are fed up with the cost of fuel.

A decent proportion of BMW 550d X-drive customers will tick these boxes. Indeed, the 550d X-drive customer probably can afford a new M5, but today, the diesel is a much more enticing proposition, and this is why:

The new F10 5 Series is usefully bigger than the E60 for family cruising, furthermore the car is far more cosseting than its predecessor.  Add in four wheel drive and a tri-turbo 3.0 litre diesel engine with 381bhp and 547 lb/ft of torque, add in 44.8mpg and you have the ultimate trans-continental cruiser.

The four-wheel drive system is biased towards the rear of the car, something we like at Autoviva, this means that the 550d will be just as much fun in the twisty stuff, while retaining the ability to get you out of trouble in slippery ski resorts.

Not many cars have such a breadth of talent.

The BMW 5 Series 550d with x-drive is truly versatile: family-friendly, economic and fun to drive.

© photo courtesy of: BMW

Caterham CSR 260Caterham 7 CSR 260United Kingdom, 2004 > present2 photos

What? Yes, yes we know, but it can make sense, read on. The Caterham may be even more of a ridiculous suggestion than a zillion pounds hypercar, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather be tucked inside (with all-weather gear on) than the Caterham CSR 260.

It is not the most practical, indeed I have convinced myself that you could somehow attach some skis to the roll cage, and that you could find enough nooks and crannies to secrete some gloves and a ski jacket, but I may be getting a little bit carried away.

No, the Caterham CSR 260 deserves a place on this list because it is the car you would love to drive to a ski resort in the summer and there is no better feeling that driving through the Alps while watching the suspension of the diminutive Caterham work.

You would have to take a CSR 260 quite simply because it is the fastest Caterham and there are too many hairpins on the average alpine pass to let the appeal of the ability to create a slip angle go begging.

The Caterham CSR 260 might be the most chilly option but also the most fun on a winding alpine pass.

© photo courtesy of: Caterham

Mercedes R-Class 350 CDIMercedes-Benz R 350 CDI 4...Germany, 2010 > present2 photos

The Mercedes R Class is not well loved in the UK, in fact I’m not sure it is well loved anywhere really, but that does not make it a bad car, especially when it suits one’s requirements as well as it does in this case.

The R350cdi comes with 265 bhp and four wheel drive as standard. Equipped with the optional air suspension the ride quality is comfortable in the extreme and its box-like exterior styling translates into a cavernous interior space.

The R350cdi makes a competing choice for those not wanting the SUV image and for those who do want something that drives more like a car than a Range Rover. Fitted with Mercedes’ excellent six cylinder diesel engine it is a left field choice, but a good one nonetheless.

The R-Class convinces with its ride quality, spacious interior and excellent engine.

© photo courtesy of: Mercedes-Benz

Renault Megane R26Renault Megane II Renault...France, 2006 > present8 photos

The Renault Megane R26 is an Autoviva favourite, it is not the latest generation but it represented a salient point in Renault’s hot hatch history.

The Clio Sport has been revered since the Clio Williams of 1994, but it took its bigger brother some time to catch up. The Megane is a car that can conceivably take luggage for the holiday and some skis and its front wheel drive chassis should cope with both the twisty mountain roads and the snow admirably.

Why the R26 though and not the standard 225? The R26 sorted out the handling issues that the standard car suffers from. It gets the power down a lot better due to its limited slip differential and the suspension is quite simply a lot better sorted.

A sporty hot hatch that promises some good driving fun up in the mountains.

© photo courtesy of: Renault

Skoda YetiSkoda Yeti Gen.1Czech Rep., 2009 > present189 versions
219 photos
1 video

The Yeti is made up of the ‘classic two box’ shape which suits us perfectly in this case. Being a Skoda it is well built and the cheap alternative for fans of the VW Group and it comes with four wheel drive as an option.

The Yeti has been a sales success and it is easy to see why. It is not the most elegant to look at but it comes with VW’s excellent range of power plants, rides and steers well and is extremely versatile.

The Yeti is a safe choice for anyone with a family and it would be on my shopping list if I was heading to the Alps and was looking for a well made, good value, economical vehicle to make the trip in.

The Skoda Yeti is a versatile and quality choice at an affordable cost.

© photo courtesy of: Skoda

Subaru ForesterSubaru Forester Gen.3Japan, 2008 > 201329 versions
37 photos

Subaru has a reputation for building hard-wearing, good handling, four-wheel-drive cars and that is exactly what we need for our mythical trip.

The Forester has 1660 litres of boot space and two willing 2.0 litre engines, one running on petrol and the other on diesel. Both produce 150bhp, so they won’t break any land speed records but the Forester’s sure-footed nature makes the best use of the modest output.

It is a little farfetched to make the leap between Colin McRae and his hard-charging Impreza and the slightly more grown up Forester, but nonetheless Subaru has learned from its rally technology. Icy mountain passes are the Forester’s playground.

With its rally DNA, the Subaru Forester is a reliable partner for an adventure in the snow.

© photo courtesy of: Subaru

Dacia DusterDacia DusterRomania, 2010 > present71 versions
89 photos
1 video

The Dacia Duster’s selling point? That would be the price. It has not been announced yet for the UK, that will happen in June 2012, but the Dacia website says it will be less than £10,000 for a 4x4? That is a lot of car for the money.

Despite its lowly price point the Dacia is not a bad car either. There are very few truly bad cars produced today so the Duster performs a vital role for many people, providing good off-road capabilities with plenty of space inside.

The Duster is available with either two or four-wheel-drive and diesel and petrol engines. We would probably choose the Renault 1.5dci for its fuel economy and torque. If you want to go skiing, take plenty of equipment and four people and do it as cheaply as possible the Dacia Duster is an intriguing proposition.

The Duster is the most pragmatic choice, offering space and off-road capabilities at a yet unbeaten price.

© photo courtesy of: Dacia

Agera RKoenigsegg Agera RSweden, 2011 > present11 photos
1 video

Now, why didn't you think of this? With 1115bhp and wearing rubber that is rated up to 260mph the Koenigsegg Agera R may not be top of many people’s list to take skiing.

Having said that, it was on one man’s list, and that is good enough for Autoviva. Koenigsegg teamed up with Thule to design a carbon fibre roof box which fits into the car’s roof, in fact it replaces the roof entirely by doing that job as well. Clever.

The good news is that if you aren’t feeling brave enough for the full quota of horse power normal 95 RON petrol only endows the engine with 940 bhp.

The Koenigsegg Agera R is not the most sensible car on the list. Strike that, it's in fact pure lunacy. But I defy you to not feel like a bit of a hero when you pull up to your (undoubtedly swanky chalet) in Courchevel.

Not  the conventional choice but handy nonetheless, as the Agera R can be equiped with a roof box by Thule to transport skiing gear.

© photo courtesy of: Koenigsegg