If you’re planning a ski break, consider taking a train rather than flying. It won’t necessarily take too much longer and will often be cheaper. What’s more, you can rest in the knowledge that your carbon footprint will be minimized.
The latest ‘Eurostar Snow services via Lille are just one way to get there, but routes are also possible via Paris and Brussels.
Not only can you travel with a clear conscience, you’ll also avoid annoying airport security lines and usually long transfers.
NO FLY MERIBEL
Skiers flock to Meribel for the first-class slopes – the resort is within the 600km Three Valleys ski area – and its lively apres-ski bars.
While many fly to Geneva and then take a long transfer, it is much easier by train.
Travel time: 7 hours 44m; depart with the ‘Eurostar Snow’ train from London St Pancras Saturday at 09:01, arriving Moutiers, via Lille, at 17:00 (from £278 return, eurostar.com); transfer 30 minutes (£21 return, altibus.com).
Parcel: Eight nights, with seven at Premium Residence L’Hevana, self-catering, plus one at a station hotel, from £1,424 pp, including return train and lift tickets, based on four shared (skisolutions.com).
If you’re planning a ski break, consider taking a train rather than flying. It won’t necessarily take too much longer and will often be cheaper
Carbon emissions: 285 kg by plane (to Geneva), 14 kg by train.
SCENIC TO ST GERVAIS
A relaxed village atmosphere and 445 km of ski area dotted with rustic mountain huts account for the large number of repeat visitors to the French resort of Saint Gervais. This winter, a new cable car from the train station means it’s just a scenic five-minute ride in.
Travel time: 8 hours 5m; leave Saturday at 6.31am on Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then take the 10.50am TGV (France’s high speed train) to St-Gervais-les-Bains-le-Fayet arriving at 3.36pm (from £124 return, trainline.com); transfer five minutes on cable car (£3).
Parcel: Seven nights at Les Arolles self-catering hostel from £692pp, based on two sharing, including rail travel and transfers (peakretreats.co.uk).
Carbon emissions: 279 kg by plane (to Geneva), 8 kg by train.
SCROLL DOWN TO LESSON ARCS
Les Arcs has 425km of well-groomed slopes, ideal for intermediates looking to rack up the kilometres. The purpose-built villages have plenty of piste accommodation, plus paragliding, snowmobiling and husky sledding.
Les Arcs (above) has 425 km of well-groomed slopes, ideal for intermediates looking to rack up the miles
Travel time: 7 hours 44m; departs Saturday at 9.01am on the ‘Eurostar Snow’ train from London St Pancras, arriving at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, via Lille, at 5.45pm (from £278 return, eurostar.com); transfer 30 minutes on a cable/bus (free with train ticket).
Parcel: Seven nights at Arcs 1950 Le Village Apartments, self-catering, plus a night at a station hotel from £1,013pp, including ski pass, trains and transport (inghams.co.uk).
Carbon emissions: 286kg by plane (to Geneva), 12kg by train.
ON TURN FOR KÜHTAI
At 2,020 m, Kühtai is Austria’s highest ski village, with ‘snow-sure’ pistes. Taking a sleeper train to a ski resort might not be for everyone, but you’ll arrive in the morning feeling refreshed – and the new European Sleeper service is a relaxing way to go.
Travel time: 16 hours 56m; leave by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday at 15:04 for Brussels, then take the 19:00 European Sleeper, arriving at Innsbruck at 09:00 (from £333pp return in a 6-berth, europeansleeper.eu), transfers 45 minutes (£4, rome2rio.com).
Where to stay: Hotel Jagdschloss has doubles from £204 (jagdschloss-resort.at).
Carbon emissions: 366 kg by plane (to Innsbruck), 18 kg by train.
OVERNIGHT TO OBERTAUERN
It is Austria’s snowiest ski resortwith slopes best suited to beginners and intermediates. The purpose-built village has a smart, luxurious feel.
Obertauern (above) is Austria’s snowiest ski resort, with slopes best suited to beginners and intermediates
Travel time: 17 hours 30m; depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday at 15:04 to Brussels, then take the 19:07 Nightjet sleeper train, arriving in Salzburg at 7:26 am, before catching the 8:16 am InterCity train to Radstadt at 9:34 am collect (from £148 return, oebb.at); transfer 18 minutes (£3, rome2rio.com).
Where to stay: Haus Kärntnerland has doubles from £121 (hotel-kaerntnerland.at).
Carbon emissions: 295kg by plane (to Salzburg), 17kg by train.
