Trains

Ziad Al Hasso

More romantic (or lazier) travellers might prefer to catch a train to the resorts. The most established route is the one to Bourg St Maurice, which drops you right in the middle of the Les Arcs and Tignes area.

There are two types of ski train available. You can catch the Eurostar from Waterloo or Ashford in Kent direct to Bourg (or Moutiers if you want to transfer to the other valleys). This is an overnight service - but sadly NOT a sleeper train. On the plus side, though, you don’t have to change trains and they run two services, one on Friday night and another on Saturday morning. The return trains depart Saturday morning and evening.

However, if you’re up for a bit more fun then you can join the party aboard the White and Blue Trains of Eurostar’s sister company, Rail Europe. These trains have an onboard bar and disco to help pass the time, and comfortable six-berth sleeper cabins you can crash in afterwards. They only make one run per week (departing Friday night and returning Saturday night).

The White Train journey starts at Waterloo aboard Eurostar, before a quick change at Paris onto the sleeper service. The Blue Train route starts in Dover with a coach trip on the ferry to Calais train station, where you join the sleeper service. This second option is a bit more hassle - but cheaper.

The main attraction of these ski trains is that you get in eight days of skiing, since they take care of all the travelling while you snooze or party the night away. All you have to do is wake up and sort out some local transport to the hill!

Rail Europe are currently doing a two-for-one ticket deal (approx £150 for two people), which gives the budget flights a run for their money. Well worth checking out. And if you’re looking for something a bit more special, then the Orient Express run trains from London Victoria to Austria’s famous St Anton resort. Which is probably about as special as it gets...

Contacts:
Eurostar: 08705 186 186 (booking via the phone incurs a £5 fee).
Rail Europe: 08701 244 646

Rail Europe Ski Trains
Eurostar
Orient Express

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