Car rental tips for winter time / ski trip

Winter and skiing vacations can be particularly fun and enjoyable, but the preparations can be a little more challenging, so you need to be meticulous about the details, which can make the difference between a perfect winter vacation to one that has unpleasant surprises.
We have decided to gather some important tips and recommendations that will help you plan, leave your worries at home, and ski with peace of mind.

Essential Winter Travel Tips

Prepare for the road

Before heading out, it is important to check the weather forecast for the rest of the day and find out whether the route you set has roads that have been blocked for traffic. Also, on every trip, whether it's a short trip to the village or the nearby ski resort, it's a good idea to take a mobile phone, extra warm clothes, food, and drinks for any emergencies.

Book a suitable car

Winter vacations usually require more equipment than summer trips. It's a good idea to book a larger, more spacious car like a station wagon or SUV ( "monospace"). These cars offer a large space for passengers as well as a spacious trunk and are adjusted for safer travel on smooth roads.

Car lights use

It is advisable to travel with the lights on at any time and in any way. Inadequate visibility? Use the fog lights and reduce the speed.

Road covered in ice

Be sure to drive in low gear, keep your speed steady, and don't make any sudden breaks so that the car won't spin.

Avoid the sun dazzle

Along the way, as well as when skiing, you should wear sunglasses in order not to be dazzled. 

extended rental plan "Ofran Plus."

To have the maximum coverage and enjoy your trip, we recommend upgrading your rental with our extended plan "Ofran Plus" that includes a 50% discount on cancellation fees (In case you cancel the car rental up to 24 hours before the pick-up), and an exemption from charges abroad (cumulative amount) up to the amount of $2,500 in specific cases. You can read more on the plan here.

Special Equipment

Winter Driving Tires

Standard winter tires are All-Season Tires with the 3PMSF certification, suitable for driving in all seasons. These tires undergo strict testing to ensure safe driving in snowy conditions.

Please note: In certain countries or high-altitude regions such as Austria, Switzerland, the ski areas in Germany, and parts of France, the law requires driving with tires that meet this standard or with dedicated winter tires. Even if you picked up the car in a different country, but plan to travel in snowy areas, you must equip the vehicle with these tires to avoid fines.
Keep in mind that a car equipped with proper winter-certified tires does not require the use of snow chains.
 

Snow chains

When you plan to drive on snow-covered roads, or in countries or regions that require it by law, it is advisable to order some snow Chains in advance, which improve the car's grip on a snow-covered road, to make sure that they are available to you when taking the car at the station.
Before leaving the rental station, make sure that the chains match the size of the tires and that the manner of installation is clear to you. Please note that some 4X4 vehicles don't require snow chains.

* It is important to take into account that the winter tires and snow chains should be ordered in advance, and if required extra charge payment is made directly to the supplier.

Plan to rent a car or pass through Italy during the wintertime? Please note

The law in Italy states that between 15 November and 15 April, holding snow chains in the car in some regions of Italy (mainly in the northern provinces) is mandatory.
For your convenience, we have prepared a map describing the areas in which the obligation to hold the snow chains on the side of the screen (or in the lower part of mobile devices), which can be downloaded to your device. Click here for the map

Anti-freeze liquid

Note that at very low temperatures, the fuel in the tank may freeze. We therefore recommend that you park the car in an indoor garage and/or add an anti-freeze liquid to the fuel tank (a special substance that prevents the fuel from freezing) that can be purchased at petrol stations.

Going skiing

Book the Ski Rack on which you can assemble your skis in the car in advance. Please note that the device is intended for two ski sets only. In addition, it is worth knowing that rental companies do not offer a device for snowboarding.

Take the costs of the winter equipment into account

Some companies charge payment for additional equipment rentals such as snow chains, ski racks, and winter tires. Therefore, these costs should be included in the overall calculation when comparing the different rental prices.

Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant winter trip.