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Why you should take a train to ski resorts in the Alps next winter

Everything you need to know if you're trading the plane for the train this season - Deutsche Bahn AG
Everything you need to know if you're trading the plane for the train this season - Deutsche Bahn AG

Whizzing smoothly towards the snow-capped peaks of the Alps with picture-perfect scenery gliding by out the window, with no need for long airport queues or tedious transfers. Rail travel to the mountains certainly holds advantages for skiers and snowboarders – and here’s why.

1. As fast as planes

It might seem surprising, but comparing door-to-door travel, daytime journeys to the Alps are often as fast as flying. The main difference is you avoid all the hassle that comes with airports (long queues, baggage drops and early check-ins) and long transfers and spend more time kicking back and watching the world pass by.

2. Variety is the spice of life

The direct Eurostar ski train is the simplest way to get to the slopes, from St Pancras to Moûtiers, Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice. But a far wider array of resorts can be reached by taking a regular Eurostar to Paris then catching a timetabled fast TGV daytime train. For some French resorts, sleeper trains from Paris run nightly. Also consider travelling via Brussels to Cologne where you can take nightly sleeper trains to the slopes of Austria or the weekly Alpen Express snow train, enabling you to get extra days on the slopes. These nightly services run more often than the weekly Eurostar ski train, and the overnight sleeper trains have couchette beds whereas Eurostar only has reclining seats.

3. Seamless changes

If changing in Paris (from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon for daytime journeys and Gare d'Austerlitz for overnight ones), book a taxi in advance to make it as stress-free as possible. The driver waits at the end of the Eurostar platform with a board with your name on. A cheaper option is to take a taxi from the rank. The cheapest, though not least stressful, is to use Paris's underground, the Metro.

4. One night in Paris

An evening Eurostar to Paris and then a stopover in a hotel near Gare de Lyon for the night enables snowsports enthusiasts to catch a TGV from Paris to the Alps the following morning. This gives a night in Paris, a relaxed journey and yet often an arrival in resort sooner than those who fly. The Eurostar and TGV can still be booked as a one through-ticket, or “connection fare”, saving money compared to booking two separate legs.

ski train - Credit: © Tirol Werbung/Pupeter Robert
The ski train is often a cheaper and greener alternative to flying Credit: © Tirol Werbung/Pupeter Robert

5. Early bird catches the worm

Most journeys are bookable roughly 90 days in advance of the date of travel, with the lowest fares the first to sell out. Tickets for the Eurostar ski train, however, go on sale on Wednesday 17th July 2019 at 8:00am, for the entire season.

6. Pack all you want

There are no luggage weight restrictions on Eurostar or European trains, nor charges for ski or snowboard bags, so there’s no need to jettison any gear. Additionally, food and drink can be brought on board – to turn the journey into a moving feast at 320kph.

7. Pick your perks

If organising accommodation and travel independently, bear in mind some chalet companies or hotels will pick up from the resort train station free of charge – so check this before booking a taxi or bus. Tour operators offering rail-inclusive packages, such as Inghams, Crystal, Skiworld and Peak Retreats, normally include transfers.

8. Sunday services

Although the direct Eurostar ski train runs Saturday to Saturday throughout the season, it also runs a Sunday to Sunday service during February half-term, travelling overnight on Saturday evening and returning in the day the following Sunday. Alternatively travelling indirectly via Paris, there are plenty of Eurostar + TGV options that work well so you can’t restricted by airline schedules.

9. Strength in numbers

Discount rates are often available on rail tickets for groups, usually for 10 or more people. This is true of train operators, such as SNCF, Deutsche Bahn and Eurostar, but also tour operators, so always check these group discounts before booking.

10. Children save too

Not only is train travel an enjoyable experience for children, they save money too. There are discounts of around 30 per cent for kids aged 11 or less with Eurostar and SNCF, while those under four travel for free (but without a reserved seat).

Daniel Elkan is founder of snowcarbon.co.uk, an independent guide to how to travel to travel to ski resorts by train.  The website has train journey schedules up to one year in advance, ski packages with rail travel included, detailed guidance on independent travel, videos and by-skier-for-skier stories of ski holidays by train.