Where to Ski And Snowboard - Direct ski rail service relaunched to the Alps

Direct ski rail service relaunched to the Alps

13th September 2021, by Abi Butcher

Eurostar’s direct ski train will run again this winter as "Travelski Express"

Eurostar’s direct ski train will run again for the 2021-22 ski season, under a new name “Travelski Express” as a charter service from Europe’s biggest ski resorts operator — Compagnie des Alpes.

The Ski Train was dropped last year in the height of the Covid pandemic, and there has been uncertainty as to whether it would ever run again. But today Compagnie des Alpes has announced the rejuvenation of the direct rail service from London to the Tarentaise Valley, and while a launch date has not been released, the service will over 16 weekends of the season.

The Travelski Express will depart Friday evenings from London St Pancras, transporting skiers without stopping either Moûtiers and Bourg Saint Maurice in the Tarentaise, a service lasting eight or nine hours.

The news will be greeted by skiers keen to travel to the French Alps to ski resorts including Les Arcs, La Plagne, Tignes, Val d’Isère and Les Trois Vallées. But families and skiers who don’t wish to travel overnight will be disappointed that the direct Saturday service will not — as yet — be running.

The plans are part of Compagnie des Alpes’ intention to stimulate the recovery of activity in its ski resorts and strengthen its commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The company mountain director, Yariv Abehsara said it symbolises the interest Compagnie des Alpes takes in its foreign customers — with the service directly targeted at the British ski market.

Travelski is a wholly owned subsidiary of Compagnie des Alpes and the rail service will be offered as part of what it terms a “dynamic package”, including transport, transfers, accommodation and ski passes.