Eurostar Ski Train Tickets Go on Sale

11th July 2024

Last modified on July 14th, 2024

The service has been expanded but still only goes from December 21st to the end of February with no short-break options. The number of skiers taking the train remains below pre-Covid levels.

Tickets are now on sale with the service increased from 8 trains last season, to 11 for next winter.

The service goes from London St Pancras in the UK to Lille in northern France.

There is then a change with the ski train calling at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Moutiers and Albertville.

The outward journey is just under eight hours, while the return takes nine hours.

Tickets come with an allowance of two large bags and one hand luggage bag, plus one pair of skis or one snowboard in a protective case.

There are no liquid restrictions on board.

The numbers of skiers and snowboarders that take the train to the Alps remains small at around 2%.

The vast majority fly, with a growing number of people driving.

Despite ‘intent’ from skiers to take the train, numbers over the past few years have declined.

2% took the train to the Alps last winter compared to 6% pre-Covid, according to a report compiled by the Ski Club of Great Britain.

Ski Club GB reports strong bounce back from Covid

Of the other skiers and snowboarders, 14% drive and 84% fly.

By train to the mountains. Image © PlanetSKI

The UK tour operator Inghams is taking a larger option on tickets this winter – it will have three times the number of last winter, which sold out.

It offers accommodation in Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs ski areas.

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.

Instead of getting up for an early transfer on Saturday, customers will get to spend Saturday on the slopes, with the option to store luggage in their hotel or chalet.

Customers will then be transferred on Saturday night to accommodation next to the station in Bourg-Saint-Maurice for their return journey on Sunday morning.

“There has never been a better time to visit the slopes by train,” said the Managing Director at Inghams Ski, John Mansell.

“We’re delighted Eurostar has extended its snow train timetable this coming winter to include dates over half term, and are proud to announce that we’ve expanded our partnership for the season ahead.

“Train travel isn’t a flash in the pan. Last year’s sell-out showed us and the entire industry that the demand is real.”

Inghams offered train routes to 15 other resorts in 3 countries last season – a total of 25% of Inghams’ ski resorts are reachable by train from the UK.

Inghams launch rail packages to 22 resorts

This coming season it’s offering customers the chance to travel by train to Morzine, Avoriaz, and elsewhere too.

“With a new government in power, we now urgently need better support for inter-European train travel from the UK; policies to help with price and infrastructure, making it more accessible to customers outside of London and the South East too,” added John Mantell.

Example Price:

8 nights self catering at Arc 1950 Apartments, Les Arcs. Departing 4^th January 2025 from London St. Pancras from £975 per person including rail travel, transfers and overnight stay in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Based on 4 adults sharing.

Example Itinerary:

Outbound:

Train departs Kings Cross St Pancras Saturday, 09:00
Platform change in Lille 11:30 | Depart Lille 12:15
Arrive Bourg-Saint-Maurice 18:20
Tignes/ Val d’Isère customers taxi, Les Arcs customers board funicular to resort.

Inbound:

Hit the slopes on Saturday (7^th day lift pass and ski hire included for price of 6 when lift passes are pre booked)
Tignes/ Val d’Isère customers taxi, Les Arcs customers funicular to Base Camp Lodge Hotel, Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Overnight at Base Camp Lodge Hotel
Sunday morning taxi from hotel to Bourg-Saint-Maurice train station
Train departs Bourg-Saint-Maurice 08:11
Arrive Lille 14:30 | Depart Lille 15:30
Arrive Kings Cross St Pancras 15:57

Travelski Express is another company offering rail travel on the Eurostar.

It has added two more French resorts to its offering – Chamonix and La Clusaz.

They join:

Tignes
Val d’Isère
Val Thorens
Méribel
Brides les Bains
Courchevel
Les Ménuires
Les Arcs
La Plagne
La Rosiére

The train service will again be operated by Eurostar.

The packages run from London on Saturday mornings (from 21th December) and return the following Sunday with daytime train travel in both directions and 8 nights of accommodation (to facilitate a full 7-days of skiing) as standard.

“We are once again very pleased to be the biggest provider of rail inclusive ski packages and with our innovative 7+1 accommodation option we are able to offer UK skiers the full range of accommodation options across all our featured resorts,” said the CEO of Travelski, Nicolas Delord.

“Skiers taking that option can also enjoy a later start on their return travel day”

Tickets are now on sale.

UPDATE:

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

Rob Rees: The main reason that fewer people are using the ski train service is that it requires 8-nights stay in resort, which most accommodation does not offer as they typically take Saturday-Saturday bookings. Plus the price is way higher than the old ski train service was. It’s great to see the service resume after Covid, but it’s a significantly worse offer than previously.

Stuart Horsley: They remain low, because it’s no longer as convenient! Open up Ashford again too!

David Hage: It’s far too expensive.

Feel free to add your comments.