Eurostar is gearing up for a new venture this winter, providing skiers and snowboarders with a convenient and eco-friendly route to the breathtaking French Alps. The Eurostar Snow service will start delivering a route from London to Alpine ski destinations starting this December, making it easier for travelers to hit the slopes and indulge on breathtaking mountain vistas.
With a stopover in Lille, France, the freshly introduced train service will connect London to multiple top-tier ski resorts in France, such as Chambéry, Albertville, Moutiers, and Aime-La Plagne, with a last stop in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The train will run from London every Saturday during the ski season, for eight consecutive weekends, starting from December 16th to February 3rd. Return journeys will run every Sunday for eight weekends, starting December 17th and wrapping up on February 4th.
“We’re proud to offer our customers a sustainable travel option to the Alps by launching our first connecting service as Eurostar Group”, stated Francois Le Doze, the chief commercial officer for the Eurostar Group.
With a quick and easy connection, competitive pricing, and five stops to choose from, passengers can enjoy a seamless experience with us from the city of London to the snowcapped mountains of France.
Francois Le Doze, the chief commercial officer for the Eurostar Group
Tickets for the service are already available for purchase, with prices starting at £99 (approximately €116) for Sandard Class and £149 (approximately €174) for Standard Premier Class, during off-peak dates. During peak weeks, from December 16th to January 13th, prices start at £149 and £199 (approximatively €233), respectively. The tickets include a generous luggage allowance, passengers being able to bring two suitcases, one piece of hand luggage, and their skis or snowboard, all included in the cost of their ticket.
Departing London Saturday morning, Eurostar promises the trains will reach the slopes just in time for après-ski. The current timetable, subject to change, is:
Saturday Outbound Timetable:
- London: Departure at 08:19 AM
- Lille: Arrival at 09:01 AM (with a 50-minute connection)
- Moutiers: Arrival at 05:30 PM
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice: Arrival at 06:20 PM
Sunday Inbound Timetable:
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice: Departure at 08:26 AM
- Moutiers: Departure at 08:52 AM
- Lille: Arrival at 02:30 PM (with a 65-minute connection)
- London: Arrival at 04:00 PM
The Eurostar Group, created following the merger of Eurostar and Thalys, is not the first train operator to introduce special winter routes for ski enthusiasts. The Tui Group introduced a similar service last year, connecting Amsterdam to the Austrian Alps, however, it remains to be seen if the Ski Express will be making a comeback this year.
