What Cars to Take Skiing?

For those of you that are ski enthusiasts you will be aware that the European skiing season is now upon us and from here on in until April next year you will be planning to jet off on your perfect adventure holiday. But for those of you who aren’t lucky enough to own a ski-in ski-out spot this means that you are stuck driving and usually very long distances in order to reach the beloved ski slopes each year. The beauty of this of course is that the drive is probably a cheaper option than to fly, you get a fun road trip with friends or family and many ski resorts do offer a ‘self drive’ discount on their chalets and hotels once you arrive. And a lot of France’s ski resorts are a lot closer than you may think. What could be better than your favourite activity whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery as you drive across the alps! But what to drive?

Ensuring that you have the best car for skiing should be a prime consideration when choosing your vehicle for your holiday travels. Nothing would be worse than taking a car which could not deal with the snow leaving you constantly stranded and digging for your life with a shovel! You must also consider the amount of equipment you will be taking along including skis, snowboards and luggage and whether the vehicle has the capacity to store it all comfortably. More importantly, to prevent you sliding on the road on the way to the slopes and to ensure maximum safety, you want the best car. So to be certain that your car performs exceptionally well in the snow on your travels, we have selected our best picks from the bunch currently available on the market (In no particular order or fashion).

Subaru Outback 3.6R

Although not an SUV the Subaru Outback can provide driving confidence in snow and all round winter conditions with its stable ride. The model provides a whopping 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowing you to tackle the snowiest of roads without acting as a plough!

Nissan Qashqai +2

The Nissan Qashqai +2 is a 7 seat crossover which has more space and seating but most importantly is now tougher and stronger. You will have no problem taking this from the city to the greater outdoors. Safety is paramount with this model which now includes 6 standard airbags and anti braking system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). There are also a vast number of Qashqai accessories for this car, to help you make your decision.

Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 is a sturdy vehicle which provides a secure driving experience overall and is even better than the XC90 in wintery conditions. Volvo have even provided extra safety features in this model including auto brake, front and rear skid plates and side impact and whiplash protection – not that it should be needed with this model. Volvo has a history of making great cars and this does not disappoint.

Audi Q7

A very roomy option of car which comfortably seats 7 passengers and comes with 6 airbags as standard, an advanced braking system and its high-strength steel body with energy-absorbing crumple zones ensure a high degree of safety.

BMW X3

The BMW is a good choice for those who like the off-road ability coupled with better on the road performance. This model gives you the best of both worlds. The interior is clean and luxurious and the large sun roof gives the cab an open feel making for amazing sightseeing along the way.

Toyota 4 Runner Trail

Now, the Toyota 4 Runner Trail is not a car for the light hearted. This was truly built for off road driving and so is fully equipped for tricky weather conditions. The 4 wheel drive settings can be varied to allow it to get over any kind of surface and gives a massive 9.6 inches of ground clearance ensuring you can go anywhere.

Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a brilliant all rounder car which is extremely smooth to steer, brake and control and provides good storage for luggage and equipment that you will need once you arrive at the slopes.

Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Premium

This is a supercharged version of their own Forester model which means it has a good amount of get up and go! For those fashion conscious drivers it is slightly better looking than its Subaru Outback counterpart and it provides good fuel efficiency for those who have blown all their money on a fancy lodge and ski instructor!

Lexus LX 570

This engine is great for urban living but also has the power to handle an array of off road  situations including such as snow and has good fuel economy.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover

The Suzuki SX4 Crossover is a good offering of a three mode and all wheeled drive for a reasonable price on the market. Although the stance overall is lower it has a nice tall cabin which takes a large amount of luggage and belongings.

Joel writes for car blogs, his last post was on the best places to purchase Jaguar, Honda and Nissan spare parts.