For the ultimate in luxury travel, why not let the train take the strain.

80’s and 90’s SNCF Snow Trains  

Those of us old enough to remember the original snow trains may not necessarily associate ski trains with luxury. For those too young to remember, 80’s and 90’s snow trains meant cold and wet Friday nights waiting at Dover to cross the choppy channel. Thereafter embarking at Calais on the somewhat  ‘slightly dated’ (being generous here) SNCF sleeper train (sleeper was definitely false advertising) for the slow trundle through France. 

Accommodation from Calais onwards was 6 pull down benches / bed berths shared with fellow travellers. Far from luxury, but back then it didn’t seem to matter as most of us headed for what was always the packed disco carriage for a night of noisy revelling whilst we ‘rattled’ towards the slopes. Fond memories for many of us but it wasn’t for the faint hearted that’s for sure.

Indeed, whilst they were unquestionably fun times, memories shouldn’t bury the fact that one’s arrival seemed to generally coincide with some very bleary eyes, and a cricked neck – consequences of the partying and the somewhat uncomfortable SNCF bunks when the latter were, if at all, taken up for a moments of shut eye before Saturday morning’s first ski.  

Today’s Modern Ski Train

Fast forward to the Millennium and a new age in travel began as the Eurostar provided skiers with the first taste of luxurious ski travel. Originally operating out of Waterloo, and now St Pancras International, rattling SNCF sleeper carriages were replaced by a modern, high speed gleaming white train hurtling through the South East and France at 186mph, direct to the Alps from London.  Smooth, quiet and comfortable reclining seats, it echoed in a new way of ski travel for discerning guests, with premium class passengers enjoying fine dining and complimentary beverages. 

And with Eurostar’s new fleet of trains to soon come on board, there really probably isn’t a more relaxing and comfortable journey to the Alps. And whilst our nostalgic memories may crave for the rickety disco carriage of yesterday, our muscles, head, and necks probably don’t, or at least shouldn’t! 

Certainly from our experience having experienced old and new, the Eurostar snow train is a whole new ball game. Firstly we were amazed how quiet the ride actually was – it was as if we were running on air! We particularly liked the fact that we had a table and plenty of room to spread out, something previous plane trips certainly didn’t have. And when we took into consideration the short checkin and transfer to the 3Vallees (the latter an hour compared to 2 hours 30 minutes from Geneva), it was probably also just as quick.Share

Eurostar Ski Train

If you are looking to book the Eurostar ski train it is should be noted not it is not the lowest cost option on paper, but with an extra day either end of the holidays on the night services, and free ski and boot luggage too, it is often better value than you may initially think (the night services offers a possible 8 days skiing rather than 6). Couple this with the relaxing journey where you can walk around the cabin easily, enjoy a drink or two at the bar, or the children can play across large tables, you may start to realise why it is constantly sold out, many months in advance in the case of peak weeks. 

Skiers and snowboarders have a choice of two ticket types, Standard offers a reserved, and very comfortable seat with access to the buffet bar for drinks and snacks (not included in the ticket price), whereas Standard Premium offers a truly luxury form of travel. Large seats and two excellent meals, served with wine at your seat. Once you have travelled the latter, any other form of travel may well seem 2nd class!

Ski Train 3 Vallees, Paradiski, Tignes and Val d’Isere

The French Alps most popular destinations are operated by the same train service which stops  at Moutiers for the 3Vallees (Courchevel, Meribel,St Martin de Belleville  and Val Thorens), Aime la Plagne for La Plagne, and Bourg St Maurice for Les Arcs, La Rosier, Tignes and Val d’Isere. 

Two trains operate at the weekend from St Pancras. One departing on the Friday evening (19:45) for an early Saturday morning arrival (around 6am) and one on a Saturday leaving at 9:45am and arriving the same day just before 7pm.

New Routes Now Running

With the success of the Bourg St Maurice train the service has in recent years has been expanded. with the introduction of the Geneva and Lyon ski trains. 

St Pancras London to Geneva

The new Geneva service involves a change at Lille, a short platform walk and you are then on to the TGV Lyria, arriving 6 hours later in Geneva. 4 trains a week, including Saturday and Sundays make this an excellent alternative to air travel for the French resorts of the Portes du Soleil, Megeve, Chamonix and Swiss ski resorts of Verbier, Zermatt and many more. 

London St Pancras to Lyon For 2Alpes, Alpes d’Huez, And More

A regular service in both summer (onward to Marsielle) and Lyon for the Western Alps, it operates a daytime Saturday service direct to Lyon for the winter.

Book Early – We Think You Won’t Go Back To Flying If You Do

But don’t leave it too late, the ski train has a loyal following and books up very quickly. The short checkin, the smooth and spacious journey, and virtual arrival at the door leaves us with little doubt why this Ski Train is so popular. Certainly for us here at Chalet Ski Holidays it  is the No. 1 choice now for travelling to the Alps!