Most ski holidays begin by arriving two hours early to the airport, queuing to check-in, shuffling through security before then boarding a flight with no legroom. It is not memorable, relaxing or particularly pleasant. Train journeys on the other hand offer much less stress, time for relaxation and are a fantastic option for families and those a little more nervous about flying.

Typically one of the most popular options for travelling to the slopes would be Eurostar’s ‘ski train’ which departs from London and takes you non-stop to the key alpine locations, but, due to the current situation around Coronavirus, the ski train unfortunately won’t be operating for the 2020/2021 winter season. However, all is not lost, there are plenty of options still available and we’ve compiled a list of easy ski resorts to travel to by train to get you started.

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Benefits of taking the Train

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Not only is travelling to ski resorts by train a much more relaxing experience than flying, but there several other advantages that come with travelling by rail to your chosen ski resort.

• Environmentally friendly – Taking the train cuts your carbon emissions by around 85% in comparison to flying. It is more important than ever to consider the climate before embarking on travel, and taking the train offers a great option for getting to the slopes with less environmental impact.
• Comfort – You can expect more leg room, being able to sit around a table with your friends/family and plenty of chances to stretch your legs whenever needed.
• Easy, affordable luggage – Unlike airlines, most trains will typically allow two medium sized suitcases, a pair of skis or snowboard and one piece of hand luggage for free (do check with your provider when booking your journey as terms can vary). In the case that there is a charge for ski luggage, it will usually be much lower than any additional charges incurred on flight luggage. Your equipment is also usually safer than if you fly as well, with no risk of baggage handling damage.
• Scenery – Whilst flying can offer some pretty unique views, travelling by train gives you some spectacular views as you travel through terrain as opposed to flying over. It gives you the opportunity to see a little more culture and give you a sense of your surroundings as you travel to your destination.
• Relax – Taking the train is a much more laid back experience, giving you time to settle into your journey and appreciate the surroundings you are travelling through.

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Meribel

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Journey time: 8 hours 35 Minutes

Meribel is a beautiful resort nestled in the three valleys, with plenty of skiing and legendary après on offer (when covid restrictions allow!). With access to over 600km of piste, you won’t have to do the same run twice all week.

Meribel is easily accessible by train. From Moutiers station, Meribel is around 20 minutes transfer away, so you can either use one of the public buses, or organise a taxi to get you to your stay.

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La Plagne

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Journey time: 9 hours

La Plagne is a fantastic resort with endless runs that are perfect for intermediate skiers, gentle slopes for beginners to find their feet, and over 450km for the experienced to explore. Most accommodation in resort is slope-side, allowing you to step in and go. Around 70% of the resort is above 2000 meters giving consistent snow cover and great options for early or late season trips.

La Plagne is also one of the easiest resorts to reach by train. From London St Pancras to Aime La Plagne; you can then jump straight on a bus or taxi, and be in the resort within 20 minutes.

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St Anton

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Journey time: 10 hours 15 minutes

With its own train station, St Anton is a must mention for ski resorts to travel to by train. Although there are plenty of slopes suitable for skiers of all abilities, the resort is perhaps suited slightly more to intermediate and advanced skiers compared to other resorts on this list. To accompany the 280km of slopes, there is also some pretty extreme backcountry to explore as well, giving you plenty of chance to push your skiing.

To get to the resort by rail, book from London St Pancras to St Anton.

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Chamonix

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Journey time: 10 hours

Renowned as the heart of European mountain sports, Chamonix has some of the worlds best backcountry skiing on offer, alongside a huge number of pistes thanks to it’s many ski areas. Coupled with a vibrant town, Chamonix is a must visit for snow sports enthusiasts. 

Getting to Chamonix by train does require a couple of changeovers, but if timed right, you can make it from the UK to resort in around 10 hours. Book London St Pancras to St Gervais. You can either take a 15-minute taxi ride to Chamonix, or alternatively take the Mont Blanc Express train, arriving into Chamonix station around 30 minutes later.

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Les Arcs

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Journey time: 10 hours

With beautiful views of Mont Blanc, plenty of varied skiing and a lot of off-piste options, Les Arcs has a lot to offer. It’s with good reasons that the resort is one of the most popular in France.

The train journey to Les Arcs is also very straightforward. Book from London St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice. From there, you are just 7 minutes away from Les Arcs via the funicular train.

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Nevis Range

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Photo Blair Aitken

Journey time: 10 hours

Scotland is home to some fantastic skiing opportunities, often overlooked by many UK skiers. Depending on where you are located in the UK, travel times can be fairly short. We’ve based ours off a journey from London.

There are plenty of options for trains to Fort William (your closest destination to the Nevis range), with our favoured choice being the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, you will wake up in Fort William the next morning ready to hit the slopes before lunchtime. From Fort William, you can access the Nevis range via a 20 minute bus service or 15 minute taxi.

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Aviemore

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Journey time: 10 hours

The Cairngorms also offer some fantastic Scottish skiing with a handful of resorts that collectively have around 90km of slopes, not to mention some spectacular backcountry. Aviemore is an excellent base for access, with Cairngorm Mountain just a 20 minute bus trip away.

Similarly to Fort William, journey times and options depend on where you are located, but the overnight train from Kings Cross is another fantastic choice.

So whilst the ‘ski train’ may not be running this winter, there are plenty of options still available for those that would like to travel to the slopes by rail, and by taking the train, you can travel with the peace of mind that your journey will have a much lesser impact on the planet than if you took to the skies.

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