The Snow Train - End of an era?

The Snow Train has not run since 2010, the economic climate and exchange rates were blamed. It may return in the future but for now the only options are the Eurostar direct service to Moûtiers or change in Paris (if only they used the same station) for an SNCF service to Moûtiers.

 

The snow train was the infamous overnight party train with sleeping accommodation limited to couchettes - but with an all night bar and disco carriage there's little time to sleep anyway. It arrived in to Moûtiers very early on Saturday morning with very tired & hungover passengers ready to start skiing.

 

There have been news articles in 2012 about other operators running high speed trains across Europe with a London - Geneva service as one of the proposals.

 

Further services may give additional options but unless you live near to the relevant stations in London or Ashford (or hate flying and want to carry lots of luggage) it's hard to beat the budget airlines - generally airports have better motorway access and parking, they often have 40 minute check-ins too and as long as you understand all the rules around baggage and add-ons, book early enough and you'll get a great deal (just over an hour flight time compared to 8 hours too - plus the transfers of course).

 

Update on further Eurostar services

The German operator Deutsche Bahn has applied to run other services through the tunnel apparently but while we wait for those to materialise a new service launches on 22 Dec 2012 - a London to Switzerland "direct" service, although there is actually a change of train in Lille (but just across platforms rather than across Paris) and doesn't stop in Geneva but goes to the stations of Aigle, Martigny, Visp and Brig for the Swiss Alps.

 

New Transfer Service from Moûtiers to La Tania for Winter 2013

Three Vallée Transfers are introducing a new shared shuttle service to meet the daytime London Eurostar services at Moûtiers every Saturday and drop you right at your accommodation in La Tania and the Méribel Valley for only €20 per person each-way. Hopefully this will be expanded to all parts of the Courchevel Valley for Winter 2014.

Click above to book tickets across Europe with

 

Eurostar Ski Train 2012 / 2013

Eurostar has a direct service from London to Moûtiers with overnight or daytime travel options. Advantages include 8 days skiing on a weeks holiday, no airport hassles, you can bring plenty of ski gear (at no charge), Moûtiers is only 20 minutes from La Tania and feel good about your Carbon Footprint.... No full sleeping facilities though and still takes over 8 hours.

 

EUROSTAR SKI TRAINS FOR WINTER 2013 ON SALE ON 31 JULY 2012

 

Half term tickets went on sale at £330 and then reduced to £169 the following day for some reason. As always you've got to get in quick for a good deal.

 

 

 

Eurostar Direct to Moûtiers - CONFIRMED Timetable for Winter 2012 / 2013

From 21 December 2012 until  13 April 2013

 

Friday EVENING departure from London:

Departs London St. Pancras 19:31 (Ashford 20:15) - Arrives Moûtiers 05:51 Saturday

 

Saturday EVENING departure from Moûtiers:

Departs Moûtiers 22:54 - Arrives London St. Pancras 07:16 Sunday (Ashford 06:34)

 

Saturday DAY train:

Departs London St. Pancras 10:00 (Ashford 10:47) - Arrives Moûtiers 18:12

Departs Moûtiers 10:08 - Arrives London St. Pancras 16:11 (Ashford 15:36)

(Departs Moûtiers at 10:04 on 2, 9 and 16 March 2013)

 

Prices from £149 per person return - free carriage of skis, boots and boards.

 

 

Other Rail Options

Further options with Eurostar and the French rail network via Paris can be sorted out with

Paris to Moûtiers is around £80 return but discounts are available. Book on-line for an additional £6 saving and free first class delivery of tickets.

 

 

NOTE: There is another Moûtiers in the West of France - the one you want is Moûtiers les Salins. Also, beware of trains stopping at a station en route and de-coupling half the carriages, leaving them behind!

 

 

Coach

Various tour operators operate coaches to La Tania with or without accommodation.

 

Ski Weekends is the company for a bargain trip to ski or board in The Three Valleys. As well as all in package deals they run a coach service to Bride Les Bains where they have they're own Club Hotel (Bride is linked via Gondola to Méribel but only skiable on an off-piste itinerary run in good snow conditions).

 

Approximate 2013 Timetable:

Departs London Victoria coach station on a Friday at 17:00

(pickups at Thurrock Services 18:15, Maidstone Services 19.00, and Stop 24 Junction 11 M20 19.40).

Aims to arrive at approximately 09:00 Saturday morning.

Returns on Sunday at 17:30 from Brides Les Bains, arriving around 09:30 in London.

 

 

Ski Méribel offer a weekly return sleeper coach service from London Victoria to Méribel every Friday during the Winter season. Prices start from £89 one-way or £119 return.

 

Approximate 2013 Timetable:

Departs London Victoria coach station on Friday at 16:00 (Dover Eastern Docks 18:30).

Arrives Albertville at Hotel Le Roma around 07:30 before traveling up to La Tania and Méribel

Returns on a Saturday at 17:30 from Méribel (18:00 Moûtiers).

Arriving at Dover around 07:30, London Victoria 09:30 on Sunday.

 

 

Snow Express also runs coaches to the Alps every Friday leaving London Victoria at 19:00 with additional services at 14:00 on peak dates. Many resorts are served and bookings will be available from September 2012.

 

 

 

 

Page last updated 16/10/12