Inghams Ski Launch Rail Packages to 22 resorts across 4 Alpine Countries

19th September 2023

Last modified on September 23rd, 2023

The new routes for the 23/24 season are designed to offer a low hassle, sustainable option to the Alps. Interest in taking the train to the Alps is on the up, but it will take a huge change to see significant numbers travelling by train.

Inghams Ski says it wants to make it as easy as possible for customers to choose train travel and lower carbon transport alternatives.

Departing from London St Pancras, it aims to make the journey as easy as possible and be competitive on price.

There are minimum changes, with transfers on offer to final resort destinations.

Inghams is stressing that the journey should become part of the holiday with people connecting with the changing landscapes, at a gentler pace as they travel to their resort.

Through its carbon audits, Inghams claims that 59% of carbon released on an average holiday comes from flights.

With most of its destinations being short haul from the UK, the ski tour operator hopes rail travel will have an impact on its wider efforts to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

“We are so excited to be able to offer our customers a new, more sustainable travel option to their favourite ski destinations,” said the Senior Sustainability Manager at Inghams Ski, Krissy Roe.

“Flights make up the largest slice of the pie when it comes to our holidays’ carbon footprint and aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.

“That’s why we’re determined to make it as easy as possible for customers to choose to travel to our resorts by train instead of plane.

“To be able to offer a lower carbon alternative that is convenient and competitive on price is very exciting, and travelling through, rather than above these European landscapes is going to be a big part of the future of travel.”

Inghams is committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2030.

“As an industry, we can’t bury our head in the sand (or the snow) when it comes to the climate crisis.

“We are already seeing the effects of temperature changes on our mountain environments.

“We must act collectively now to reduce our emissions and increase the positive impacts we can have on nature and communities as much as possible.”

Currently around 2% of UK skiers and snowboarders take the train to access their ski resort.

14% drive with the remainder of people, 84%, flying.

It will take a huge change in attitudes and behaviour to make a significant change to these figures, and get more people on trains.

Inghams, it seems, is making a start.

Bourg St Maurice, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Inghams Ski holidays by train

Inghams Ski is stressing:

Shorter check-in times,
No weight limits on luggage
More freedom onboard

It ia heading to the following resorts across Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy via rail:

Switzerland: Davos, Klosters, St Moritz, Grindelwald, Murren, Wengen, Saas Fee and Zermatt.

Full journey information here.

Italy: Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere.

Full journey information here.

France: Courchevel, Les Menuires, Meribel, Val Thorens, La Plagne, Val d’Isère, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Rosiere, Serre Chevalier and Montgenevre.

Full journey information here.

Selected departures to Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs ski areas will also be serviced by the new Eurostar Snow train package, see below for more details.

Austria: St.Anton.

Full journey information here.

Bourg St Maurice, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Example packages with flight comparison pricing:

7 nights chalet catering at Chalet Cairn, Tignes, France.

Departing 16th December 2023 from London St Pancras from £1,399 per person.

Includes all rail travel, accommodation and transfers.

Based on 2 adults sharing.

Flight comparison from London Gatwick: also £1,399 per person.

Tignes, France – photo © PlanetSKI

7 nights half board at Hotel Butterfly, Zermatt, Switzerland.

Departing 16th December 2023 from London St Pancras from £1,499 per person.

Includes all rail travel, accommodation and transfers.

Based on 2 adults sharing.

Flight comparison from London Gatwick: £1,489 per person.

Zermatt, Switzerland. Image c/o PlanetSKI.

7 nights chalet catering at Chalet Rendl, St Anton, Austria.

Departing 30th December 2023 from London St Pancras from £1,769 per person.

Includes all rail travel, accommodation and transfers.

Based on 2 adults sharing.

Flight comparison from London Gatwick: £1,549 per person.

St Anton, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

New Eurostar Snow Train Package:

Launched in August 2023, the Eurostar Snow train offers a low hassle, sustainable option for Inghams customers travelling to the Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs.

We reported on the service earlier on PlanetSKI:

New Eurostar service to the French Alps

Operating from Saturday to Sunday, from London St Pancras to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with a change in Lille, the new train also offers skiers and boarders an extra day on the slopes.

With traditional ski packages running Saturday to Saturday, Inghams Ski has arranged seven-day lift passes for the price of six for customers returning by train on the Sunday, with the option to store luggage in their hotel or chalet.

Customers will then be transferred on Saturday evening to accommodation close to the station in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, ready for their return journey on Sunday morning.

Example Package:

8 nights half board at Hotel Ducs de Savoie, Val d’Isère. Departing 6th January 2024 from London St. Pancras from £1,298 per person including rail travel, transfers and overnight stay with dinner in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Based on 2 adults sharing.

See here for more.

Inghams Ski Sustainable Initiatives

Inghams Ski is committed to protecting the future of mountain environments by reducing carbon emissions and increasing positive impact on nature and communities.

In addition to rail travel, the operator has committed to these further initiatives, enabling customers to choose a more sustainable ski holiday:

Targets and commitments: Inghams Ski have clear carbon reduction targets, and are actively committed to being a more sustainable business. They have also signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and the WTTC Nature Positive Travel and Tourism commitment.

More meat-free dishes have been added to menus across resorts, working with local and regional produce.
This year, working alongside Halti and EcoSki, Inghams staff seasonal jackets have been made from recycled PET bottles.

A contribution from every Inghams booking goes to partners Klimate and Rewilding Britain.

Switching the plane for a train can reduce the carbon footprint of a holiday considerably.

According to a Greenpeace report, using research from the European Environment Agency,depending on the route, trains can emit on average, 5 times less greenhouse gases per passenger kilometre in Europe.

PlanetSKI has been taking the train to ski resorts for many years and we are big supporters of train travel to the Alps and the Pyrenees.

Inghams Ski Company Information

Inghams Ski have been been taking people skiing since Walter Ingham took his first group to Austria over 85 years ago, and they are just as passionate about sharing their love of the mountains today.

Inghams Ski offers ski and snowboard holidays to over 70 resorts in 6 countries, for all ages, couples, families, groups and solo travellers.

For the thrill-seekers, the après skiers and those looking for beginner blue runs, Inghams Ski have something to suit everyone.

For more information, visit www.inghams.co.uk.