10 of the best ski resorts to get to by train
Swapping plane for train can make for a smoother ride
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Your support makes all the difference.There’s no finer feeling than falling asleep on a gently chugging train and waking the next morning in the Alps, minutes from the slopes. And the launch of Austrian national rail operator OBB’s NightJet sleeper service means that from this season you can schluff your way to the Tyrolean Alps.
It’s not just overnight journeys that are good options for skiers, however. There are an array of resorts you can reach from the UK by daytime rail travel with journeys that, door-to-door, are about as fast as flying.
Here’s our pick of some of the best ski resorts accessible by train.
Les Arcs, France
With its funicular railway link to Bourg St Maurice station, Les Arcs is a popular destination by train. The slopes here are part of the 425km Paradiski area, giving you a huge variety of pistes to explore. One of the most exhilarating descents is the route from the 3,200m Aiguille Rouge down to the charming village of Villaroger, at 1,200m – a passage that takes you from lofty panoramas down into quiet, tree-lined runs.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg St Maurice, arriving at 7.03pm; from there it’s seven minutes by funicular railway to Arc 1600, with a connecting bus linking the other villages.
Journey highlight
The Ski Train skirts around picturesque Lac d’Aiguebelette, almost as if the train is gliding over the water.
Söll, Austria
Part of the huge SkiWelt, with 284km of ski runs, Söll is a vibrant village with bundles of Tyrolean charm. The SkiWelt has 77 mountain restaurants and après-ski bars in total, with one of the most memorable places to eat being the Gipfelalm Hohe Salve restaurant – it has a terrace that rotates through 360 degrees to show off every aspect of the surrounding WilderKaiser mountain range.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 3.04pm Eurostar to Brussels, arriving at 6.05pm. Catch the 6.25pm ICE from Brussels to Cologne, arriving 8.15pm; alight the 9.21pm NightJet sleeper train to Wörgl, arriving 8.36am next morning. From there it’s 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
Journey highlight
The restaurant-café on the ICE train, which serves freshly prepared hot meals and draught lager.
Les Contamines, France
This well-kept secret has a small, friendly village and some magnificent slopes that remain blissfully quiet, even at peak dates such as February half term. The scenery here is stunning: on one side you face an unparalleled view of Mont Blanc; on the other, you peer into Hauteluce valley.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 7.55am Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. Take the RER D express to Gare de Lyon, from where you catch the 12.11pm TGV, changing at Bellegarde to arrive at St Gervais at 4.56pm. From there it’s 15 minutes by bus or taxi.
Journey highlight
Sipping coffee in the TGV café bar, taking in the views of the French countryside as you head towards Bellegarde at 300km/h.
Sauze d’Oulx, Italy
Part of the 400km Milky Way ski area, Sauze d’Oulx has terrain to suit intermediates in particular, and when the snow falls the powder fields between the trees really come into their own. The atmosphere in the village is lively and welcoming and the old centre, with its narrow, cobbled streets, is great for a stroll.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.24am Eurostar to Paris-Nord, change station by taxi and take the 2.41pm TGV from Paris-Lyon to Oulx, arriving at 7.23pm. From there it’s 15 minutes by bus or taxi.
Journey highlight
Views of the vast expanse of Lac du Bourget, one of France's largest lakes.
Val Thorens, France
At an altitude of 2,300m, the compact village of Val Thorens is the highest in the Alps, and thus one of the most snowsure. Part of the huge Three Valleys ski area, there’s terrain that will delight mile-hungry intermediates and experts alike, plus there are also good beginner slopes just below the village. This winter the resort is launching itself as the “Anti-Stress Capital”, introducing a weekly chill-out programme with morning yoga, a wellbeing tearoom and classical music concerts.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar Ski Train, arriving at Moutiers at 6.15pm. From there it’s 55 minutes by bus or taxi.
Journey highlight
The new Les 3 Vallées Café at Moutiers station, which opened this winter – a great place to grab a coffee, cocktail or a bite to eat.
St Anton, Austria
The recent creation of the Arlberg gondola, linking this renowned resort to neighbouring Zurs and Lech, means there are now 305km of interconnected pistes to explore. St Anton itself is a buzzing resort that’s the self-proclaimed birthplace of skiing, but it never takes itself too seriously. At the Hospiz Alm restaurant, for example, diners reach the bathroom via a wooden slide.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 6.01pm Eurostar to Paris-Nord. Stopover in Paris and take the 7.23am TGV from Paris-Lyon, changing in Zurich to the 12.40pm RailJet arriving at St Anton at 3.03pm.
Journey highlight
Travelling through the scenery of the Arlberg valley while dining in the restaurant carriage of the RailJet train.
La Plagne, France
The abundance of terrain that suits early intermediates means that La Plagne is a huge draw for families. However, skiers that like steep slopes and powder runs will also find plenty to delight them here, in a resort that is part of the 425km Paradiski area, lift-linked with Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry. There are alternative activities on offer such as the famous Olympic bobsleigh and a new 2km zip wire from Belle-Plagne to Bellecotte.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar Ski Train, arriving at Aime la Plagne at 6.34pm. From there it’s 25 to 45 minutes by bus or taxi.
Journey highlight
Speeding smugly through the Kent countryside in the comfort your train is likely to be faster than flying.
Val Cenis, France
Located in the beautiful Maurienne Valley, Val Cenis is a family-friendly ski resort that many British skiers haven’t heard of, but which French families adore. The spectacular scenery, overlooking the Lac du Mont Cenis, and the 130km of snowsure slopes make this an attractive place to ski – and a good place to learn.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.24am Eurostar to Paris-Nord, change station to Paris Gare de Lyon and take the 2.41pm TGV to Modane, arriving at 6.47pm. From there it’s a 30-minute bus or taxi ride to the village.
Journey highlight
Lunch or a snack at one of the many restaurants by Gare de Lyon station in Paris.
Tignes, France
Tignes’ high altitude makes it a good choice for early and late season, when the 300km of slopes it shares with neighbouring Val d’Isère are quieter. There are plenty of interesting non-ski activities too, including ice diving, ice climbing, snowtubing and Bun J Ride – a hybrid combination of a ski jump, bungee and zip-line ride.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg St Maurice, arriving at 7.03pm. From there it’s a 40-minute taxi or bus ride.
Journey highlight
The convivial atmosphere on the Eurostar Ski Train, with everyone in a buoyant, exhilarated mood on the outbound journey.
Serre Chevalier, France
Serre Chevalier, in the Southern Alps, has 250km of slopes shared between four villages. An impressive 80 per cent of terrain is located above 2,000m, and the resort is blessed with plenty of tree-lined slopes, even at high altitude, which is hugely advantageous if the weather is cloudy. The resort offers winter paintball in the woods using biodegradable paint pellets and at La Schappe you can try ice climbing.
How to get there
Depart London St Pancras on the 9.24am Eurostar to Paris-Nord, change station by taxi and take the 14:41 TGV from Paris-Lyon to Oulx, arriving at 19:23. From there it’s 45 minutes by bus or taxi.
Journey highlight
The train route runs along the edge of Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan, a protected area.
Travel essentials
Return journeys from London to the Alps start from £149 return in Standard Class on the Eurostar Ski Train, or £108 travelling via Paris. At peak periods such as half term, expect to pay between £250 and £400 depending on the destination. Book online at Eurostar (eurostar.com), Voyages SNCF (voyages-sncf.com) and Loco2 (loco2.com) or with rail-booking agency Ffestiniog Travel (ffestiniogtravel.com).
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