The market in ski holidays by train is continuing to develop with more UK holiday companies announcing packages by rail this winter.

It seems to be a case of two steps forward, one back though as the option of a direct service from London St Pancras to the French Alps has gone again, with the service dropped for winter 23-24 just as business was growing.

However, those offering ski holiday packages by rail are stressing it can be still just one simple platform change between trains en route, so not that big a set-back, and in some cases makes more flexible travel options possible – including daytime travel on both outbound and return trips. 

They report interest in ski holidays by rail continue to grow as people seek a (hopefully) less stressful trip than air and for many more importantly, one with much less impact on the environment.

Train travel typically generates less than a quarter of the carbon emissions of a similar package involving flights and remains the most environmentally advantageous option for skiers.

“We are very pleased to offer, for the third year, an environmentally advantageous option to the British skier who is looking to benefit from a full 7 days skiing in the Tarantaise. Our train inclusive packages offer a full seven days of skiing and daytime train travel in both directions, which is something our British guests have been asking for,” commented Guillaume de Marcillac, CEO of Travelski, one of the modern-day pioneers of ski holidays by rail, who continued “Although we would have preferred to have offered a direct train option we are certain that the UK skiers will find the change in Lille straightforward and certainly easier than changing stations in Paris. We will be monitoring the success of the revised train package during this short season with an aim of building and expanding for the next season.”

The Travelski Express 23/24 season will see service running outbound from London on Saturday mornings from 30th December and returning the following Sunday. Unlike before, the new packages will offer daytime train travel in both directions and eight nights of accommodation (to facilitate a full seven days of skiing) as standard.

As before, the packages include return train travel, but now with a train change in Lille, plus accommodation, transfers and seven-day local area lift pass. 

Holidays are available via either Moutiers or Bourg St Maurice to Tignes, Val d’Isere, Val Thorens, Meribel, Brides les Bains, Courchevel, Les Menuires, Les Arcs (below), La Plagne and La Rosiere.

In research commissioned for the ski website Snowcarbon.co.uk, carbon offset experts at The Anthesis Group (www.anthesisgroup.com) calculated 18.47 Kg of CO2 per passenger for the direct rail from London and transfer option, yet packages that include a flight from London Gatwick to Geneva and then a transfer to resort generated 4¼ more CO2 emissions at 78.44 kg per passenger.