If you’re planning a ski getaway, consider taking a train instead of flying. It won’t necessarily take much longer and will often be cheaper. What’s more, you can enjoy knowing that your carbon footprint will be kept to a minimum.
The latest ‘Eurostar Snow’ services via Lille are just one way to get there, but routes via Paris and Brussels are also possible.
Not only will you travel with a clear conscience, but you will also avoid annoying airport security lines and, usually, long transfers.
MERIBEL DOESN’T FLIGHT
Skiers flock to Meribel for world-class slopes (the resort is located within the 600km Tres Valles ski area) and lively après-ski bars.
While many fly to Geneva and then take a long transfer, it is much easier by train.
Travel time: 7h 44m; Depart on the ‘Eurostar Snow’ train from London St Pancras on Saturday at 9:01am, arriving at Moutiers, via Lille, at 5:00pm (from £278 return, eurostar.com); transfer 30 minutes (£21 return, altibus.com).
Package: Eight nights, including seven at Premium Residence L’Hevana, self-catering and one at a station hotel, from £1,424 per person, including return train and lift passes, based on four nights sharing (skisolutions.com).
If you’re planning a ski getaway, consider taking a train instead of flying. It won’t necessarily take much longer and will often be cheaper.
Carbon emissions: 285 kg by plane (to Geneva), 14 kg by train.
SCENIC TO ST GERVAIS
The relaxed atmosphere of a village and a 445 km ski area dotted with rustic mountain huts explain the large number of repeat visitors to the French resort of Saint Gervais. This winter, a new cable car from the train station means the scenic journey is just five minutes.
Travel time: 8h 5m; Depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Saturday at 6.31am for Paris, then take the TGV (France’s high-speed train) at 10.50am to St-Gervais-les-Bains-le-Fayet, arriving at 3.36pm. (from £124 return, trainline.com); five-minute cable car transfer (£3).
Package: Seven nights at Les Arolles self-catering residence from £692 per person, based on two rooms, including train travel and transfers (picoretreats.co.uk).
Carbon emissions: 279 kg by plane (to Geneva), 8 kg by train.
DOWN TOWARDS LES ARCS
Les Arcs has 425 km of well-groomed trails, ideal for intermediate level cyclists looking to add mileage. The purpose-built villages have plenty of piste-side accommodation, plus paragliding, snowmobiling and husky sledding.
Les Arcs (above) has 425km of well-groomed pistes, ideal for beginners interested in racking up mileage.
Travel time: 7h 44m; Departing on the ‘Eurostar Snow’ train from London St Pancras on Saturday at 9:01am, arriving at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, via Lille, at 5:45pm (from £278 return, eurostar.com); 30-minute funicular/bus transfer (free with train ticket).
Package: Seven nights at Arcs 1950 Le Village Apartments, self-catering, plus one night in a station hotel from £1,013pp, including ski pass, trains and transfers (inghams.co.uk).
Carbon emissions: 286 kg by plane (to Geneva), 12 kg by train.
ON THE WAY TO KÜHTAI
Kühtai, at 2,020 m, is the highest ski village in Austria and has safe snow slopes. Taking an overnight train to a ski resort may not be for everyone, but you arrive in the morning feeling refreshed, and the new European Sleeper service is a relaxing way to do so.
Travel time: 16h 56m; Depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday at 3.04pm for Brussels, then take the 7pm European Sleeper and arrive in Innsbruck at 9am (from £333pp return in a 6-berth sleeper). europeansleeper.eu), transfer 45 minutes (£4, rome2rio.com).
Where to stay: Hotel Jagdschloss has double rooms from £204 (jagdschloss-resort.at).
Carbon emissions: 366 kg by plane (to Innsbruck), 18 kg by train.
ACCOMMODATION IN OBERTAUERN
This is the snowiest ski resort in Austria, with slopes best suited to beginners and intermediates. The purpose-built village has an elegant and exclusive feel.
Obertauern (above) is the snowiest ski resort in Austria, with slopes best suited for beginners and intermediates.
Travel time: 5:30 p.m.; Depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday at 3.04pm to Brussels, then take the Nightjet sleeper train at 7.07pm and arrive in Salzburg at 7.26am, before taking the InterCity train at 8.16am to Radstadt at 9.34am. (from £148 return, oebb.at); transfer 18 minutes (£3, rome2rio.com).
Where to stay: Haus Kärntnerland has double rooms from £121 (hotel-kaerntnerland.at).
Carbon emissions: 295 kg by plane (to Salzburg), 17 kg by train.