Eurostar has confirmed that it will drop its direct service from London St Pancras to the Alps this winter.
The weekly service has been operated in partnership with Travelski since winter 2021-22. Travelski offers packages that include train travel, accommodation, resort transfers and a seven-day lift pass.
The train operator said in a statement: “Eurostar Group will offer a new solution for UK-based customers looking for a green way to travel to the Alps.
“Next winter, a service departing from London will connect in Lille onto a Eurostar continental train.
“This train will continue its journey from Lille arriving in Bourg Saint Maurice as its final destination, with six stops in the Alps along the way (Chambéry, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime-La Plagne, Landry and Bourg St Maurice).
“This service will run for a short season starting mid-December, leaving London Saturday daytime and returning Sunday daytime.”
More detailed information is expected from Eurostar “soon”.
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Travelski said in a statement: “Following some recent speculation with regards to the train-inclusive packages, Travelski would like to confirm that the Travelski express (direct Eurostar service) from St Pancras to Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice will regrettably not operate this winter.”
It said it is working on a Travelski express train-inclusive package which will run from St Pancras to the French Alps, with a change of train at Lille Europe.
“We will announce the precise dates and details as soon as these are concluded,” said the statement.
Guillaume de Marcillac, Travelski chief executive, said: “We continue to work with our friends at Eurostar and we are pleased that we will be once again be offering a train-inclusive package from London to the French Alps.
“Of course, Travelski still have many excellent value packages available for the UK skier via our website and our English language call centre.”
Travelski sells via agents, including ski specialists such as Ski Solutions, Sno and Iglu Ski.
The Telegraph reported at the weekend that post-Brexit border issues and the upcoming introduction of the European Union’s Entry/Exit system (EES) next year were factors in the scrapping of the service.
It said the direct ski service began in 1997 and operated until the pandemic stopped services. In 2021, the service through Travelski began, with tickets available only as part of a package.
Last month, Eurostar stopped running direct services between London and Disneyland Paris, blaming post-pandemic recovery and additional post-Brexit checks.
It also announced an 11-month pause in services between London and Amsterdam, so that Amsterdam Centraal station can be expanded to accommodate passport checks and baggage.