Eurostar scraps its much-loved ski train to the Alps

Eurostar has announced it will not be running its popular direct ski train service to the Alps this winter.

"As we restart our services we are focusing our timetable on our routes between capital cities, which have the highest demand from customers at the moment and shorter journey times," read a statement from the rail operator.

The high-speed service connects London St Pancras and Ashford International with the French Alps, offering a direct route to three stations: Moûtiers, Aime La Plagne and Bourg St Maurice. The service provides easy access to many top French ski resorts, including Courchevel and Méribel in the Trois Vallées, Tignes, Les Arcs and La Plagne.

The company has not confirmed whether the service will be reinstated for 2021/22, but it will "continue to review the decision."

It’s a decision that is being described as "disastrous" by those who use the service regularly, as well as industry experts. A ‘Save The Ski Train’ petition has been started by Snowcarbon, a website dedicated to promoting train travel to the Alps, in partnership with eco-charity Protect Our Winters, SaveOurSnow, and pro-train travel campaign Ski Flight Free. Founder Daniel Elkan said: "Like everyone who has used this train, I’m baffled that Eurostar could take this decision – seemingly without consulting anyone in the ski industry. Although you can travel to the French Alps by train indirectly by Eurostar and TGV, via Paris or Lille, those journeys are an alternative that doesn’t replace the direct service."

Eurostar responded: "We always work to provide a comfortable experience on board for our travellers, and whilst our services operate with restrictions on food service, the compulsory wearing of masks, and significantly increased hygiene measures and high-frequency cleaning, these standards are more challenging to maintain on long-distance routes." The direct service from London to the Alps takes between seven and a half and eight and a half hours.

Eurostar has emailed all existing customers to inform them of the news – and said those who received vouchers because of cancelled trips last winter can now use these on services to Paris.

Disappointed customers have taken to Twitter to air their frustrations.

"I am very surprised by this email from @Eurostar! I thought next year’s ski season was likely to go ahead. Granted with different systems in place. I feel it's still early days to make such decision," wrote Maxence Angel, who shared a image of the email sent to customers earlier today.

"This is a decision we’ve made with a great deal of sadness. It’s been an absolute pleasure to take thousands of travellers direct from St Pancras to the Alps over the years," reads the statement from Eurostar.

A major advantage of train travel to the Alps is its green credentials. Multiple campaigns have been set up in recent years to promote the environmentally-friendly benefits of trading planes for trains.

"I find it incredible that Eurostar... is removing this low-carbon travel option for British skiers. The ski train is so popular it sells out in minutes for peak dates and I find it hard to believe it is not a profitable route for Eurostar," said Iain Martin, who launched a Ski Flight Free campaign last season.

Users on Twitter agree. "Post-Covid is an opportunity to promote low-carbon travel options so it feels like such a shame that these trains won’t run," wrote Jessica Rowan.