This winter a brand new sleeper prepare to Austria has added to the suite of train-travel choices – making it simpler to keep away from airport queues and lower carbon emissions. Tickets for trains go on sale for dates between ninth January and thirtieth March 2025 this Tuesday thirteenth November.
If the thought of snow fills you with pleasure however the considered airport queues fills you with dread, there’s excellent news. A brand new in a single day prepare service geared toward delivering skiers to the slopes has been launched for winter 2024–25.
Non-public prepare firm European Sleeper will take skiers from Brussels to Innsbruck in a single day. The prepare has couchette carriages with flat beds and a correct restaurant and bar carriage on board too – so you’ll be able to wine and dine earlier than bedtime. Travelling from the UK, skiers can join with the European Sleeper by taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels.
The European Sleeper solely runs on sure dates in February and March 2025, however it’s not the one possibility for travelling to Austria. ÖBB’s Nightjet sleeper trains (pictured prime) run from Brussels or Paris to Salzburg, from the place you’ll be able to journey onward through native trains to quite a lot of Austrian ski resorts.
In the meantime, there are plentiful rail choices to the French Alps, too. Eurostar now not operates its direct Ski Practice however as a substitute provides a service known as Eurostar Snow. That is basically a Eurostar to Lille, the place skiers change platforms to take one other Eurostar prepare to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, a brief switch from a few of France’s big-name resorts within the Tarentaise area of the French Alps.
One other widespread possibility for resorts in France and Switzerland, in addition to some in Italy, is to take a Eurostar to Paris, change stations after which take a high-speed TGV prepare from there. This opens up much more ski resort choices, too.
With this in thoughts, right here’s our choose for a number of the prime locations by prepare for winter 2024–25.
Alpbach, Austria
Alpbach CREDIT Foto Alpbachtal Tourismus Matthias Sedlak
Kicking off this listing is “Austria’s most lovely village”, Alpbach. Located within the Kitzbühel Alps, the historic resort has spent the previous century preserving its pristine picture. Right here, the emphasis is as a lot on snowboarding because the Alpine lifestyle.
Meaning beautiful, hand-carved structure; greater than twenty “hereditary farms” (family-owned for 300+ years); and exceptionally good meals, air and drink. Whilst you can study in regards to the village’s distinctive historical past on the Alpbach Mountain Farm Museum, you’ll discover a extra Epicurean studying expertise at Jausenstation Zottahof, a farmhouse restaurant excessive above the city. Right here you’ll discover refreshments corresponding to Löffelmilch: a scorching drink combining recent milk, sugar, and rum. How’s that for après-ski?
For guests, snowboarding is, in fact, Alpbach’s principal attraction—and the resort greater than gives. With over 113km of slopes, Alpbach is without doubt one of the largest ski areas in Tyrol, with over 45 lifts, 25 on-slope eating places, and two snow parks. The views from the highest of its new Horbahn2000 cable automotive are breathtaking, and there’s nothing fairly like a bowl of spätzl and a stein of native beer on the wood sundecks of its rustic mountain bistros.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras on the 15:04 Eurostar to Brussels. Then take the 19:00 European Sleeper to Jenbach, arriving at 08:30. From there it’s 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
La Plagne, France
Immediately recognisable by its iconic crimson bobblehat brand, La Plagne is without doubt one of the hottest ski resorts on the planet. Alongside neighbouring Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry, it types the large Paradiski area: over 425km of world-class pistes.
Given its dimension, the resort may be very customer-friendly. Regulate their social media for unique reductions, in addition to their companions in-resort (Ski Hut provides extremely low cost secondhand gear). With over 9 base villages to select from, together with a brand new set of self-catering chalets deep within the woods (Chalet Montana), La Plagne has one thing for everybody. Calm or loopy, ace or newbie, freelance or household—the resort will fortunately accommodate you.
Of nice pleasure to locals and guests, La Plagne shall be internet hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics. The resort’s sporting credentials are clear: this winter season it is going to be internet hosting the Junior Luge World Cup in December, the French Ski Mountaineering Champs and Ice Climbing World Cup in January, and the extra light-hearted La Mega Bell ski impediment course in April. La Plagne can also be one of many solely Alpine resorts the place you’ll be able to strive bobsleigh—reaching speeds of 120kmph with an expert pilot.
Amid fixed improvement, new for winter 2024–25 at La Plagne are: the Chantemouche Distillery, providing artisan amaretto, Génépi, and Gentian; the Chalet du Bresson, a traditional farmhouse restaurant, good for a steaming scorching pot au feu after a profitable snowshoeing session; and the Aérolive, an open-air high-altitude gondola journey and La Plagne world-exclusive.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras 09:01 on Saturday on the brand new Eurostar Snow service through Lille arriving at Landry at 17:38. From there it’s a 35-minute switch.
Alpe d’Huez, France
Sarenne © Laurent Salino
Large and sunny: Alpe d’Huez is one in every of France’s most iconic resorts, comprising over 250km of high-altitude, south-facing slopes, together with the “longest black run within the Alps” Sarenne, (at simply over 16km). As with most giant resorts, its dimension caters to all ranges of skiers, from households to backcountry execs. Alpe d’Huez even has a “newbie’s snowpark” within the works at Villard-Reculas, alongside its current snowparks for intermediates and above.
The resort is well-known for its vigorous après-ski at bars like Underground, Pacific Pub, and O’Bar. From its glacial summit at Pic Blanc (3,330m)—reached through the newly renovated Pic Blanc Gondola—Alpe d’Huez additionally provides splendid panoramas of the close by Mont Blanc Massif and Sarenne Glacier. For a contact of caprice, cease off on the Grotte de Glace 2,700m up: a wondrous cave of ice sculptures dug into the slopes.
Alpe d’Huez’s system of 84 lifts connects a number of base villages, a few of that are a lot older than others. Whereas Villard-Reculas and Vaujany 1250 are smaller, quieter, and comply with the normal chalet fashion, the central hub of Alpe d’Huez 1860 is extra fashionable and purpose-built. No matter the place you keep, the resort’s glorious infrastructure will get you the place it’s good to be—from occasion central to pastoral paradise.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras on Saturday on the 09:31 Eurostar to Paris-Nord. Change to Paris-Lyon and take the 14:14 TGV to reach Grenoble at 17:13. From there it’s 90 minutes by taxi or bus.
Les Will get, France
On the coronary heart of the huge Portes du Soleil area is Les Will get, a beautiful Savoyard city relationship again to the eleventh century. The resort strikes an excellent steadiness between slopeside enjoyable and après-ski intrigue, with panoramas of the Mont Blanc mountain vary seen all through.
Les Will get is split into two principal ski areas: the bigger and extra widespread Les Chavannes (linked to neighbouring Morzine), and the south-facing Mont Chéry. Whereas not the very best resort, Les Will get’ intensive fir forests present a number of the finest alternatives for tree skiers within the French Alps. It’s nice for teenagers too, with 4 themed youngsters’s slopes and a excessive proportion of blue runs.
The village itself is beautiful, with a variety of lodging and eating choices. Resort highlights embody the Alta Lumina, an interactive, light-and-sound nighttime path by way of snowy forests; snowshoeing at sundown with Émile Fourot; and the Museum of Mechanical Music, with over 900 working vintage devices (the one one in every of its form in Europe!)
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras at 06:31 to Paris Nord. Change to Paris-Lyon and take 10:50 TGV to Cluses, arriving 15:09. From there it’s a 25-minute switch.
St Anton, Austria
©TVB St. Anton am Arlberg Patrick Bätz
Generally known as the “cradle of Alpine snowboarding” for its function in growing the game, St Anton is without doubt one of the best-regarded Austrian resorts right now. Guests have entry to over 300km of marked piste forming the fifth-largest ski space on the planet. The resort continues to nurture the skiers of tomorrow, with over 130km of blue runs, a number of nursery slopes, and a discount under-8s season go for simply €11—making it a incredible place in your baby’s first run.
Nevertheless, St Anton’s dimension and status cater to all ranges, together with elite athletes. The FIS Girls’s Ski World Cup will happen there this January, providing you the prospect to look at a number of the finest winter sports activities on the planet. Free of charge riders and cross-country execs, St Anton boasts 200km of off-piste plus intensive forested XC routes by way of the attractive Verwall Valley. Lastly, hardened mountaineers can tackle the Rendl Through Ferrata: an 850m climbing route, providing a number of the most spectacular views within the Austrian Alps.
For après-ski, count on traditional Alpine chalets and hearty Tyrolean fare. The Tanzcafé Music Competition, held on the finish of March, hosts dozens of slopeside concert events, whereas visitors with remaining vitality can take a romantic stroll alongside one in every of St Anton’s many forested mountaineering trails—the Wagner Hütte being a wonderful pitstop for a glass of Glühwein.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras on Friday on the 08:01 Eurostar to Paris-Nord. Change to Paris-Lyon and take the 12:22 TGV from Paris-Lyon, altering in Zurich onto the 18:40 RailJet to reach at 21:01 in St Anton.
Les Menuires, France
Les Menuires CREDIT G.Lansard
Les Menuires is by far your finest value-for-money resort in Les Trois Vallées, the most important interconnected ski space on the planet. With entry to an unprecedented 600km of slopes, your choices for snowboarding are nearly limitless, and Les Menuires’ excessive altitude village makes a wonderful start line. The sheer dimension of Les Trois Vallées means there’s a world-class slope for each age and skill right here.
The resort advertises itself as essentially the most inexpensive for households within the area, maybe on account of its extremely environment friendly and built-in design. Like Les Arcs to the north, Les Menuires’ core village is ‘extremely modernist’, comprising principally Seventies ski-in/ski-out flats and inns with a number of new additions (together with the brand-new Alpeen Resort, opening its doorways this winter).
Off-piste, Les Menuires has a packed itinerary for winter 2024–25. For followers of Savoyard wine, a Winemaker’s Week will kick off the brand new 12 months, adopted by La Masse (a type of Alpine Wacky Races) in March, and eventually, the Yogiski Yoga Competition in the beginning of April to welcome in spring.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras at 09:01 on Saturday on the Eurostar Snow service through Lille arriving at Moûtiers-Salins at 17:00. From there it’s a 40-minute switch.
Meribel
CREDIT JM Gouedard Meribel Tourisme
Additionally a part of huge Les Trois Vallées, Meribel is Les Menuires’ a lot older brother. Its traditional chalet structure and state-of-the-art elevate system single it out because the prototypical French ski city, with glorious service, snow cowl, and surroundings.
For professional skiers, the freeriding routes round Meribel and the reds and blacks on close by Mont Vallon are must-tries. Households are equally supplied for due to 12 devoted youngsters zones and the brand new Household Flex go, providing six days of snowboarding on the value of 5. Since lockdown, ski touring (or “skimo”) has taken off at Meribel in a giant method: be certain that to take a look at the long-distance Le Roc path, which opened in 2021.
Highlights for winter 2024-25 embody Meribel’s Jazz Competition in January and the French Elite Alpine Snowboarding championships in March. ‘First tracks’ has additionally returned—by far essentially the most enchanting Alpine expertise there’s. After a hearty breakfast at La Folie Douce, be the primary to carve Meribel’s crisp, groomed slopes simply after dawn.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras at 09:01 on Saturday on the Eurostar Snow service through Lille arriving at Moûtiers-Salins at 17:00. From there it’s a 25-minute switch.
Nendaz, Switzerland
Nendaz ©Valais Wallis Promotion David Carlier
Rivalling France’s Les 3 Vallées, Nendaz is on the coronary heart of Switzerland’s 4 Vallées: a mega-domain comprising 410km of slopes, starting from 1300m to 3300m in elevation. The north-facing resort provides distinctive views throughout the Rhône Valley of a number of the most well-known mountains within the Alps, together with Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
The resort has newly renovated lots of its lifts for winter 2024–25, maximising your time on the slopes and ease in attending to them. It’s a hub for off-piste and slopeside partying too, with the Nendaz Freeride Carnival going down in March, adopted by the Snow Vibes Competition in April.
Moreover a number of genuine Swiss eating places, Nendaz provides a variety of actions uniquely designed to tempt foodies. The Rando’Miam is a snowshoeing expertise with “connoisseur breaks” alongside the way in which. For raclette lovers, the resort provides a go to to their legendary Hérens cattle herd, accompanied by a recent raclette prep and tasting session.
Lastly, for thrill-seekers who love the push of Alpine air, Nendaz boasts the very best zipline on the planet: 3,300m above sea stage, reaching speeds of 100kmph.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras on the 08:01 Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord; change to Paris Gare de Lyon and take the 12:18 TGV to Geneva after which the 16:05 InterRegio prepare to Sion, arriving at 17:56. From there it’s 25 minutes by bus or taxi.
Obergurgl, Austria
Obergurgl
Obergurgl’s distant location on the higher finish of Tyrol’s Ötzal Valley makes it a really particular spot for snowboarding, surrounded by a dramatic wall of 3500m mountains. It additionally lends the resort a number of the finest snow circumstances within the Alps, due to its uncommonly excessive base altitude of 1930m.
With over 112km of slopes served by 25 high-speed lifts, Obergurgl by itself is a giant resort. However, in the event you fancy attempting out the slopes down-valley, the Ötzal Tremendous Skipass offers you entry to Sölden, Vent, Gries, Niederthai, and Hochoetz-Kühtai at a extremely aggressive value. For max comfort, most of Obergurgl’s lodging are premium ski-in/ski-out inns with boot rooms on the snow—getting you booted up and carving crescents very quickly.
Obergurgl’s non-ski actions might be present in state-of-the-art well being and leisure amenities, together with a timber-clad indoor golf centre and the Aqua Dome spa. For a romantic winter’s eve, go to the resort’s attractive Christmas market or go night time snowboarding from 19:00 to 22:30 (with a glass of vino to chase!). Lastly, as one thing of a novelty (and testomony to the Ötzal Valley’s James Bond connections), take a look at the TOP Mountain Motorbike Museum in-resort—the very best museum of classic motorbikes in Europe!
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras on the 15:04 Eurostar to Brussels, arriving 18:05; then take the 19:00 European Sleeper from Brussels to Innsbruck, arriving 09:00, after which the 09:47 Railjet, arriving at Ötztal at 10:10. From there its 45 minutes by bus or taxi.
Peisey-Vallandry, France
Peisey Vallandry
A haven for Nordic ski lovers in France, Peisey-Vallandry serves as each the gateway to the magnificent Vanoise Nationwide Park and a handy location inside the Paradiski area. Downhill skiers have entry to over 425km of piste connecting Peisey-Vallandry with neighbouring Les Arcs and La Plagne.
Peisey-Vallandry’s Nordic ski choices are its distinctive promote, such that the resort hosts an unique Nordic Competition in February. Its expansive fir forests and beautiful pure magnificence supply a number of the finest alternatives within the Alps for cross-country, biathlon, and snowshoeing. Additional taking part in to its strengths, Peisey-Vallandry has launched ‘Sk’e-biking’ for winter 2024–25, combining electrical mountain biking with ski touring. Rewarding all that arduous work is Peisey-Vallandry’s Croq’Rando occasion in March: a mixed ski touring trek and Savoyard buffet, and for vigorous après-ski drinks, there’s the jovial Mont Blanc bar.
In comparison with close by Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry is the extra conventional, contemplative resort, full with a planetarium for indoor stargazing and charming reindeer rides. In case you’re on the lookout for some particular, winter-wonderland secluded glades—or quick access to the huge Paradiski space—Peisey-Vallandry is a superb selection.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras at 09:01 on Saturday on the Eurostar Snow service through Lille arriving at Landry at 17:38. From there it’s a 35-minute switch.
St Gervais, France
Saint Gervais Les Bains
A hidden gem amongst British skiers, Saint Gervais combines well-being with nice snowboarding. Moreover its picturesque pistes (finest for intermediates) and entry to the Mont Blanc area, Saint Gervais’ off-slope actions are a draw for hundreds annually.
Above all is Les Thermes Saint-Gervais, the resort’s iconic scorching springs and spa advanced, which harks again to the medieval period. Overlook dancing on tables: the soothing mineral waters of Saint Gervais’ scorching springs, mixed with professional therapeutic massage and wonder remedies, function the last word après-ski reward.
For all-round mountaineers, Saint Gervais’ newly-opened mountaineering centre, Le Topo, is without doubt one of the largest and hottest within the French Alps. It’s additionally a haven for historical past buffs, with the long-lasting Mont Blanc Tramway (constructed 1909) nonetheless carting resort guests to panoramic views; Saint Gervais has some beautiful historical church buildings and artwork museums too.
This winter a brand new cable-car opens from the prepare station on to the village, making the switch faster, simpler and extra scenic.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras at 06:31 to Paris Nord. Change to Paris-Lyon and take 10:50 TGV to St-Gervais-les-Bain, arriving 15:36. From there it’s a 15-minute switch.
Stubai, Austria
Stubai is the closest resort to Innsbruck, making it some of the accessible resorts in Austria. Its proximity to Tyrol’s capital is particularly helpful in the event you fancy a break day within the medieval metropolis, purchasing or sightseeing. Higher but, the Stubai Visitor Card offers you one free in-bound/out-bound connection from Innsbruck through the Stubaitalbahn prepare.
The resort’s greatest attraction is its glacier snowboarding from the summit of the Schaufelspitze (3,333m), open from October to June. You’ll discover a number of the finest powder in Austria in its large snow-covered bowl, simply accessed through a sequence of high-speed lifts. There’s additionally a panoramic restaurant on the prime in the event you fancy a Viennese espresso between runs.
Every of Stubai’s 4 principal snowboarding areas gives for various audiences: Elferbahnen is for extra skilled, race skiers; whereas Schlick 2000 is the most important, most inexpensive, and family-friendly. The village of Stubai itself options some attractive Tyrolean structure, with loads of ‘hut-style’ wood eating places, bars, and inns to select from. Moreover snowboarding, mountain climbing, skating, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and 80km of winter mountaineering trails are on supply for guests this winter.
Instance rail journey
Depart London St Pancras on the 15:04 Eurostar to Brussels, arriving 18:05; then take the 19:00 European Sleeper from Brussels to Innsbruck, arriving 09:00. From there it’s 45 minutes by bus or taxi.
Eurostar at London St Pancras
Helpful guides and sources
Guides on journeys into Europe and the Alps might be discovered at SnowCarbon (snowcarbon.co.uk), Seat 61 (seat61.com) and Ski Flight Free (skiflightfree.org).
A wonderful planning and journey companion is the Rail Map of Europe (https://www.europeanrailtimetable.eu/rail-map-europe-folded-1111-p.asp)
Plan your journey and e-book your tickets direct by way of rail reserving businesses corresponding to The Journey Bureau (rail-travel.co.uk) or Trainseurope (trainseurope.co.uk), Alternatively use on-line ticket brokers corresponding to Rail Europe (raileurope.co.uk) and Trainline (trainline.com).
Rail firms embody Eurostar (eurostar.com), SNCF Join (sncf-connect.com) and Deutsche Bahn (bahn.co.uk). For extra details about NightJet sleeper trains, see the NightJet web site (nightjet.com) and for European Sleeper, the European Sleeper web site (europeansleeper.eu).
