Direct Travelski Express to French Alps Axed for Next Winter

11th July 2023

Last modified on July 13th, 2023

The direct Eurostar service from St Pancras, London to Moutiers & Bourg St Maurice in France will not operate this winter. Travelski Express describes it as ‘regretable’. UPDATED

It had been rumoured for a while and now it has been confirmed.

The direct service required people to stay in designated resorts and accommodation in the French Alps.

The resorts were Les Arcs, La Plagne, Les Menuires, Val d’Isere, Tignes, Meribel, Brides les Bains, Val Thorens, Courchevel and La Rosiere.

Travelski Express packages included return rail travel direct from London, accommodation, transfers to the accommodation and a seven day local area lift pass.

It was launched two years ago as we reported at the time:

New ski train set to run next winter

It ran again last season:

Travelski Express reverts to overnight departure

Travelski Express is currently working on train-inclusive packages which will run from St Pancras to the French Alps, with a change of train at Lille.

The new service is expected to run for a short season, leaving London Saturday daytime and returning during the day on Sunday.

Travelski Express will announce the precise dates and details as soon as these are finalised.

“We continue to work with our friends at Eurostar and we are pleased that we will be once again be offering a train inclusive package from London to the French Alps,” said the CEO of Travelski, Guillaume de Marcillac.

Image c/o TravelSki Express

Despite the growing interest in train travel to ski resorts it is yet another rail service that has been unable to work, however the change it Lille is welcomed by some.

“It will just require a change of platform and it is good that an operator is offering this option,” said Daniel Elkan, the founder of the website Snowcarbon.

It offers advice on train travel to ski resorts across Europe.

“Many people will also prefer a daytime service to the Alps.”

The previous Travelski Express had an overnight journey outbound.

Travelski will no longer have a monopoly on selling the service.

Other tour operators will be invited to offer this train service too.

The result will be a wider choice of holiday providers and accommodation.

“If Eurostar allows skiers to buy seats independently on the service, then it means that you could choose any accommodation you like,” added Daniel Elkan.

Travelski Express. Image © Eurostar

Some PlanetsKI readers complained of a lack of sleep sitting in an upright seat.

They also did not like being unable to check into their accommodation on arrival in resort early on Saturday morning as it had not been vacated by the previous week’s guests.

Update:

There has been some reaction form readers on the PlanetSKI Facebook page:

Charlie Bulbrook: Yeah I’d love to see the rationale for Eurostar not simply reverting to the pre-covid direct train. I would certainly charter an entire carriage for my 5 catered chalets every week and I’m sure other TOs would do the same so it’s very viable and a great shame that so many people who would much rather travel by train (even if it’s more expensive) are having to fly. I just don’t get it; if travelski’s endeavour hasn’t worked then just revert to how it was before which was a snow train that seemed to be sold out every week! James do you have a contact at Eurostar who may be able to shed some light?

Smixxy Hobden: Surely train only tickets, as opposed to all inclusive, would make the direct train viable. It’s the restriction of having to take the accommodation offered that makes people less likely to book!

Jennifer Tsang: With flight prices rising so heavily I can only imagine than train travel would be able to compete on pricing pretty soon..? Unless Eurostar and train ticket prices shoot up as well this year..?

Michaela Butt: That is no surprise as pre Covid a high number of the passengers were independently travelling to resorts across the Tarentaise Valley to second homes or directly booked accommodation and a package deal was not attractive. Please bring back the snow train in previous format pre Covid as so many travellers are having to fly instead. The trains were always well supported every week.

Darren Sienkiewicz: The dream of catching a train from Ashford (the best transport departure point of any type I’ve ever used) to the alps now feels like a distant fantasy. Still waiting for those Brexit benefits!

Jane Jones to Darren Sienkiewicz: Totally agree – Ashford was perfect – takes us nearly 2 hours to get into London & by that time we can drive straight to Channel Tunnel so we just chuck everything in the car & go. I used to love the train though – quick & relaxing…

Ray Portelli: The all-inclusive package doesn’t work for many people, and it was a pity that Travelski didn’t offer train-only tickets. Let’s hope that Eurostar take this opportunity to restore the pre-covid snowtrains.