Rails to trails
46 people found this feature helpful
Few skiers realise how many resorts you can
reach easily from the UK by train. In
fact, there are plenty. You can ditch
the airport queues, tedious transfers and long drives and gain space and
scenery instead. Here is our pick of
some of the best destinations in the Alps by train – and how to get there.
Serre Chevalier

Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras on the 09:22 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 40
minutes by bus or taxi.
Les Gets, France

Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras 07:52 by Eurostar to Paris-Nord; change station and take the 12:45 TGV
changing at Bellegarde to arrive Cluses at 16:35; from there it’s 25 minutes by
bus or taxi.
Alpbach, Austria
It’s no surprise that Alpbach attracts a
loyal following of British skiers. The resort is dripping with rustic, Tirolean
charm, and is certainly one of the Alps’ most beautiful villages - with some
fabulous slopes. The combined area now
has 145-kms of piste and 47 lifts - tailor-made for intermediates. Tantalising tree-lined runs and a great
network of red and blue runs make it a great place for honing your carving
skills. Oswald Parish Church, built in 1420, takes centre stage in the village,
and has incredible architecture. In the evenings, you can stroll past old
wooded chalets to friendly restaurants and bars, such as Restaurant Postalm or
Gastof Jakober.
Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras 15:04 by Eurostar to Brussels; from there take an ICE at 18.25 to Koln,
and then the 21:21 NightJet to Worgl, arriving Cluses at 08:26; from there it’s
15 minutes by bus or taxi.
Les Contamines, France
Many British skiers haven’t heard of Les
Contamines, but this is a resort worth getting to know. The slopes are quiet and the off piste even
quieter. Indeed, even at February half
term you can still find yourself carving empty slopes in spectacular scenery. On
once side you face an unparalleled view of Mont Blanc and on the other you ski
down into into Haute Luce, with fluffy cloud bowls swirling below you in the
valley above the lake. It’s no wonder
that the resort has attracted a loyal following. The quiet village has some
very welcoming restaurants, a local market and a very unhurried feel.
Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras 07:19 by Eurostar to Lyon; from there take a local train at 13.40,
arriving St Gervais at 16:53; from there it’s 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
Sauze d’Oulx, Italy
Nestled just over the French border, on the
TGV route from Paris to Turin, lies the resort of Sauze d’Oulx. Somehow the village deftly combines lively
nightlife with a relaxed, ambience in a village with a quaint historic centre.
Here, you can amble the cobbled streets, perusing some of the many village
restaurants such as del Falco, L’Ortiche and Il Canton del Barbaruc. The 400km
of slopes, part of the Milky Way ski area, are best suited to intermediate
skiers. Up on the mountain, there you’ll find rustic mountain huts tucked away
in the woods, such as Ciao Pais, renowned for it’s homemade desserts.
Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras on the 09:22 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 15
minutes by bus or taxi.
Val Cenis, France

Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras on the 09:22 Eurostar to Paris-Nord. Change to Paris-Lyon and take the
14:41 TGV to Modane, arriving at 18:45. From there it's a 30-minute taxi or
bus.
Peisey-Vallandry, France

Example rail journey: Depart London St
Pancras on the 09:45 Eurostar Ski Train to Bourg St Maurice, arriving at 19:03;
from there it’s 45 minutes by taxi.
Rail-travel information and booking
Voyages
SNCF (rail-booking agents)
Loco2
(rail-booking agents)
Ffestiniog Travel
(rail booking experts 01766 772 030)
Ben’s Bus new Paris Ski Shuttle – connecting Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon stations.
The new European Rail Map (£10.99 + p&p) from European Rail Timetable is a useful companion for international rail journeys.
More information about rail travel to ski
resorts can be found at independent guide, Snowcarbon.
More about Daniel
Daniel Elkan is a freelance ski, travel, science and environmental
writer who has travelled to more than 50 ski resorts by train from the
UK. He has written ski features for The Guardian, The Independent, The
Telegraph, National Geographic Traveller, Food & Travel, Snow,
InTheSnow, Ski+board and others. He has created a website, www.snowcarbon.co.uk, to help skiers find out how to travel to ski resorts by train.
46 people found this feature helpful
Read more
What are your thoughts?
To leave a comment, please Sign in