UberSki service launches in France

UberSki service launches in France, with riders able to order a flat-rate car equipped with four-wheel-drive and a rack for skis and snowboards via the app

• It’s the first time the service has been made available in Europe 
• It will be accessible from Grenoble station between February 16 and March 16 
• Riders simply tap an ‘UberSki’ option in the Uber app to order a car 

Uber aims to take the hassle out of heading to the mountains for skiers and snowboarders in France, with the launch of UberSki.

It’s the first time the service has been made available in Europe and it will be accessible from Grenoble railway station between February 16 and March 16.

Riders simply tap an ‘UberSki’ option in the Uber app and a driver will arrive equipped with an all-wheel drive car and a rack for skis and snowboards.

Uber aims to take the hassle out of heading to the mountains for skiers and snowboarders in France, with the launch of UberSki

Riders tap an ‘UberSki’ option in the Uber app and a driver will arrive equipped with all-wheel drive and an equipment rack

There are 12 eligible ski stations and there is a flat rate for each, varying from 35 euros to 90 euros.

The locations included in the service are Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse (35 euros); Les Sept Laux (45 euros); Villard-de-Lans (45 euros); Chamrousse (45 euros); Lans-en-Vercors (45 euros); Alpe du Grand Serre (45 euros); Autrans (45 euros); Gresse-en-Vercors (60 euros); Vaujany (70 euros); Le Collet d’Allevard (70 euros); L’Alpe d’Huez (90 euros), and Les Deux Alpes (90 euros), which is 70km (43 miles) away.

Uber said: ‘This ski season, you need not be concerned with getting chains onto your hire-car tyres in sub-zero temperatures, paying exorbitant prices for parking on the mountain or cramming onto a mini-bus with the rest of the eager travellers.

‘UberSki saves you queuing for a hire car or lugging your gear around on public transport. With winter-ready rides on-demand, getting a ride to the Alps has never been easier.’

The service may expand in the future if demand is high enough.

The UberSki service has previously been available in Chile and in the U.S. 

UberSki will be accessible from Grenoble railway station between February 16 and March 16

FRANCE’S UBERSKI STATIONS

Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse: 35 euros

Les Sept Laux: 45 euros

Villard-de-Lans: 45 euros

Chamrousse: 45 euros

Lans-en-Vercors: 45 euros

Alpe du Grand Serre: 45 euros 

Autrans: 45 euros 

Gresse-en-Vercors: 60 euros

Vaujany: 70 euros

Le Collet d’Allevard: 70 euros

L’Alpe d’Huez: 90 euros

Les Deux Alpes: 90 euros 

Fares are from Grenoble railway station

News of the UberSki service comes as Uber ramps up efforts to keep riders safe. 

This week it launched a new feature in the U.S that aims to alert riders to buckle up via a distinctive chime from the driver’s phone and a simultaneous push notification to the rider’s phone.

‘The intent is really just to help remind riders that they should be buckling up – every seat, every time,’ said Kristin Smith, Uber’s head of Global Road Safety Policy, who added the chime ‘sounds kind of like an airplane seat belt reminder’.

Uber plans to send riders push notifications at the start of their next five trips and then periodically thereafter.

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