Where to Ski And Snowboard - France for £49?

France for £49?

1st December 2011, by Chris Gill

Coach to France this year? [SkiShuttle.co.uk]

A travel company has launched its new coach service to the French Alps with a bargain (but limited*) fare of £49 each way.

SkiShuttle.co.uk is targeting the “skint skier” with a new weekly low-cost transport service that picks you up from one of seven UK hubs, and deposits you in the French Alps a day or so later.

The timetable is worked out so that you get an eight-day holiday and the coaches are kitted out with TVs and other accessories to make the journey as comfortable as possible. Of course, it’s still a long trek – but you don’t have to do the driving. And you can ski on arrival and departure days if you wish.

Baggage and equipment carriage is included in the price, with no extra charges. Allowances are a 20kg suitcase/holdall/backpack or one snowboard bag; one hand luggage, one ski bag and one boot bag.

SkiShuttle.co.uk can also help you secure discounts on equipment hire and lessons, as well as accommodation, using their various partner companies.

Coaches leave from London, Fleet Services (M3), Folkstone, Poole, Maidstone, Nottingham and Northampton. Destinations include Geneva, Aime, Bourg-St-Maurice, Albertville (for Val Cenis), Moutiers and Brides Les Bains; with major resorts listed including the Trois Vallées, Tignes, Val d’Isère, La Rosière, Ste-Foy, Les Arcs & La Plagne, and Ugine (for Megève).

For example, a Friday departure from Folkestone to Bourg-St-Maurice leaves at 17:15pm for an overnight journey, to reach the slopes by 10am the next morning. The return coach departs Bourg the following Saturday at 19:00. The advertised return fare in January 2012 is £110; the special launch price is £98 return per person – but you need to book before 7 December.

An interesting addition to the deal is that if you are unsure of your travel dates, you can take advantage of SkiShuttle.co.uk’s ‘All Season Discount Vouchers’ for the same low price – and return to book your actual dates later.