If you’re planning a ski break, consider taking a train rather than flying. It won’t necessarily take too much longer and will often be cheaper. What’s more, you can bask in the knowledge that your carbon footprint will be kept to a minimum.
The latest ‘Eurostar Snow’ services via Lille are just one way of getting there, but routes are possible via Paris and Brussels, too.
Not only can you travel with a clear conscience, you’ll also be avoiding annoying airport security queues and, usually, lengthy transfers.
NO-FLY MERIBEL
Skiers flock to Meribel for the first-rate slopes – the resort is within the 600km Three Valleys ski area – and its lively après-ski bars.
While many fly to Geneva and then take a long transfer, it is much easier by train.
Journey time: 7hr 44m; depart on the ‘Eurostar Snow’ train from London St Pancras on Saturday at 9.01am, arrive Moutiers, via Lille, at 5pm (from £278 return, eurostar.com); transfer 30 minutes (£21 return, altibus.com).
Package: Eight nights, with seven at Premium Residence L’Hevana, sel-catering, plus one at a station hotel, from £1,424 pp, including return train and lift passes, based on four sharing (skisolutions.com).
If you’re planning a ski break, consider taking a train rather than flying. It won’t necessarily take too much longer and will often be cheaper
Carbon emissions: 285kg by plane (to Geneva), 14kg by train.
SCENIC TO ST GERVAIS
A relaxed village vibe and 445km ski area dotted with rustic mountain huts accounts for the high number of repeat visitors to the French resort of Saint Gervais. This winter a new cable car from the train station means it’s just a five-minute scenic ride in.
Journey time: 8hr 5m; depart on Eurostar from London St Pancras on Saturday at 6.31am to Paris, then take the 10.50am TGV (France’s high-speed train) to St-Gervais-les-Bains-le-Fayet arriving at 3.36pm (from £124 return, trainline.com); transfer five minutes on cable car (£3).
Package: Seven nights at Les Arolles self-catering residence from £692pp, based on two sharing, including rail travel and transfers (peakretreats.co.uk).
Carbon emissions: 279kg by plane (to Geneva), 8kg by train.
ROLL DOWN TO LES ARCS
Les Arcs has 425km of well-groomed slopes, ideal for intermediates keen to clock up the mileage. The purpose-built villages have plenty of piste-side accommodation, plus paragliding, snow-mobile rides and husky sledding.
Les Arcs (above) has 425km of well-groomed slopes, ideal for intermediates keen to clock up the mileage
Journey time: 7hr 44m; depart on the ‘Eurostar Snow’ train from London St Pancras on Saturday at 9.01am, arrive Bourg-Saint-Maurice, via Lille, at 5.45pm (from £278 return, eurostar.com); transfer 30 minutes on a funicular/bus (free with train ticket).
Package: Seven nights at Arcs 1950 Le Village Apartments, self-catering, plus a night at a station hotel from £1,013pp, including ski pass, trains and transfers (inghams.co.uk).
Carbon emissions: 286kg by plane (to Geneva), 12kg by train.
ON TRACK FOR KÜHTAI
At 2,020m, Kühtai is Austria’s highest ski village, with ‘snow-sure’ pistes. Taking a sleeper train to a ski resort may not be for everyone, but you arrive in the morning feeling fresh – and the new European Sleeper service is a relaxing way to go.
Journey time: 16hr 56m; depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday at 3.04pm to Brussels, then take the 7pm European Sleeper, arriving at Innsbruck at 9am (from £333pp return in a 6-berth couchette, europeansleeper.eu), transfer 45 minutes (£4, rome2rio.com).
Where to stay: Hotel Jagdschloss has doubles from £204 (jagdschloss-resort.at).
Carbon emissions: 366kg by plane (to Innsbruck), 18kg by train.
OVERNIGHT TO OBERTAUERN
This is Austria’s snowiest ski resort, with slopes suiting beginners and intermediates best. The purpose-built village has a smart, upmarket feel.
Obertauern (above) is Austria’s snowiest ski resort, with slopes suiting beginners and intermediates best
Journey time: 17hr 30m; depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday at 3.04pm to Brussels, then take the 7.07pm Nightjet sleeper train, arriving at Salzburg at 7.26am, before catching the 8.16am InterCity train to Radstadt at 9.34am (from £148 return, oebb.at); transfer 18 minutes (£3, rome2rio.com).
Where to stay: Haus Kärntnerland has doubles from £121 (hotel-kaerntnerland.at).
Carbon emissions: 295kg by plane (to Salzburg), 17kg by train.
