An expanded range of snow train packages for 2024-25 have been put on sale by Inghams Ski – with a call on the new government to “urgently” support inter-European rail travel .
The train operated by Eurostar will run for a longer period this winter to incorporate half term weeks from December 21 to the last outbound train on February 22, 2025.
Inghams Ski has tripled its commitment of allocated seats on the Eurostar snow train due to last year’s high demand and to support the route.
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The rail-based holidays, which sold out last year, will serve the Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs ski areas.
The original long running ‘Ski Train’ ceased operations due to the Covid pandemic.
Operating from Saturday to Sunday, the journey from London St Pancras to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Alps involves a platform change at Lille ,
With traditional ski packages running Saturday to Saturday, the operator has arranged seven-day lift passes for the price of six for customers returning by train on the Sunday.
Instead of getting up for an early transfer on Saturday, customers will spend the day on the slopes, with the option to store luggage in their hotel or chalet.
Customers will then be transferred on Saturday night to accommodation next to the station in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, ready for their return journey on Sunday morning.
Inghams Ski managing director John Mansell said: “We’re delighted Eurostar has extended its snow train timetable this coming winter to include dates over half term, and are proud to announce that we’ve expanded our partnership for the season ahead.
“Train travel isn’t a flash in the pan. Last year’s sell-out showed us and the entire industry that the demand is real.
“As outdoor enthusiasts, skiers care about the future of the mountains. If you’re a mountain-lover, riding the rails through these precious landscapes is an utterly captivating start to any ski holiday.”
He added: “Offering lower carbon travel solutions is the crucial keystone of our sustainability strategy as we continue to work towards halving our emissions by 2030.
“As well as offering the Eurostar snow train route into Tignes, Val d’Isère and Les Arcs, we also launched train routes to 15 other resorts in three countries last season – a total of 25% of Inghams’ global ski resorts reachable by train, from the UK.
“This season we’re going to expand our routes even further, offering customers the chance to travel by train to resorts in Morzine and Avoriaz, and elsewhere too.
“With a new government in power, we now urgently need better support for inter-European train travel from the UK; policies to help with price and infrastructure, making it more accessible to customers outside of London and the southeast too.”
Sample prices lead in at £975 per person for four people sharing a self-catering apartment in Les Arcs departing on January 4 for eight nights.