More skiers can go green with new rail packages
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.co.uk.
The pair, travel journalists Daniel Elkan and Mark Hodson, share a passion for sourcing and developing rail options for skiers and snowboarders. They have secured a breakthrough agreement giving tour operators access to a dedicated allocation of train seats at preferential rates, creating rail-inclusive packages at prices lower than could be secured independently by the traveller.
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.
Stuart McLeod, Director at Zenith Holidays said: “Skiers are increasingly looking for rail travel to ski resorts. They want a relaxing and environmentally friendly journey and they appreciate the luxury of being able to pack their bags and skis without having to worry about the airlines’ excess luggage charges. We are thrilled to be able to make this easier for customers by offering them rail-inclusive packages.”
Daniel Elkan explained: “Rail travel means a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to flying. It gives skiers a more relaxing and enjoyable journey. Door-to-door, if you are travelling from close to London, it takes little longer than flying.
“This new ability to book a wider range of rail journeys as part of a package from leading operators makes things much easier for those wanting to travel this way. And by booking through one of these operators, consumers have the reassurance of financial protection for their holiday.”
Elkan added that snowcarbon hoped to build on the availability of rail travel in future seasons, in line with a growing demand by skiers for sustainable travel.
Bookings may be made directly with the participating tour operators. Meanwhile, snowcarbon has also developed a unique search facility on its website to help skiers find the most appropriate holiday. Skiers go to: snowcarbon.co.uk/packages