Skiing
Thousands more skiers will be able to head to the slopes by train this winter, with the launch today of a range of rail-inclusive packages to a wide number of ski resorts in France, Switzerland and Italy.
More than 3,500 new low-carbon rail journeys have been created for the coming winter sports season in a landmark joint venture between 16 tour operators, Rail Europe and Eurostar, brought together by the two founders of ski rail website snowcarbon.
The journeys are on Eurostar to Paris or Lille and onward on either the TGV (for daytime travel) or Corail Lunea sleeper trains (overnight).
Skiers benefit over booking independently, because:
* The price of the rail travel is lower
* Travel can be booked for dates until the end of the season (as opposed to just 90 days in advance when they book independently
* Fares are fixed
* Travel is bonded
* Transfers from station to resort are included
Resorts available include Chamonix, St Gervais, Montgenèvre and Serre Chevalier in France; Crans-Montana, Grimentz and Leukerbad in Switzerland; plus Italian resorts including Sauze D’Oulx, Claviere, Bardonecchia and Sestriere. These are in addition to Les Arcs, Tignes, Meribel and Courchevel, also served direct by the Eurostar Direct Ski Train.
The rail-based holidays, available from October 11, include transfers from station to resort and the option of a taxi transfer when changing terminals in Paris. The cost of the rail component of the travel, from London St Pancras to the Alps, will be between £120 and £250 return for daytime travel and between £160 and £250 for overnight journeys (with a place in a six-berth couchette).
UK tour operators featuring the new range of rail travel are Erna Low, Peak Retreats, Ski Peak, Ski Famille, La Grange, On the Piste, Family Ski, Collineige, Mountain Heaven, Karibuni, Zenith Holidays, Ski Peak, Ski Beat, Interski, Snowcoach and Echo Travel.
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