Case Study: London to Les 2 Alpes by train
In January 2024, Iain presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from London to Les 2 Alpes by train. “This was a first for me, as while I’ve travelled to Switzerland and the Tarentaise in France on many occasions, this was my first train journey to the Southern French Alps.” 08:01 (GMT)...
SkiStar to expand fleet of electric snowmobiles
SkiStar, the largest ski resort operator in Scandinavia is expanding its fleet of electric snowmobiles. The company has teamed up with Taiga, who provided electric snowmobiles for a trial at the resort of Sälen in Sweden in 2022. “In addition to using the machines for ski patrol and other mountain operations, we will be offering our guests...
25% lift pass discount if you travel by train to the Vialattea in Italy
The Vialattea ski area – also known by some Brits as the ‘Milky Way’ – has joined resorts like Morzine and La Rosiere in offering a lift pass discount to skiers arriving by train. The ltalian-French region has announced a new partnership agreement with Trenitalia, the main Italian train company. ‘Official Green Carrier’ Trenitalia has been...
Take paid ‘Journey Days’ via Climate Perks
While train travel to the Alps may not be more expensive than flying, it does normally take longer. Perhaps that has put you off taking the train to a ski resort, particularly on a shorter break. With a limited amount of holiday available, why use up some of your valuable days simply by travelling to...
Take the Snow Train to Geneva?
According to Eurotunnel, direct trains from London to Geneva could be an option before the end of this decade. Yann Leriche, the chief executive of Getlink, the company that runs the tunnel, has been quoted saying that he expects new entrants to compete with Eurostar on the cross-channel route. Eurostar only company to offer trains...
Why I’m taking the Flight Free Challenge in 2024
Since I founded Ski Flight Free four years ago, I have substantially cut down on my flights, but I haven’t managed to stop flying completely. Admittedly one flight was rolled over from lockdown and another was to visit my elderly mum in Australia, but in 2024 I am committing to the ‘Flight Free Challenge’ –...
Airlines found by ASA to be ‘greenwashing’ with dishonest ads
Kudos to Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority for ruling this week that adverts by three airlines were simply greenwashing. The ASA concluded that adverts by Air France, Etihad and Lufthansa were misleading when they used phrases such as ‘committed to protecting the environment’ and helping customers to ‘fly more sustainably’. “No initiatives…that would adequately substantiate absolute...
Cut your emissions travelling by coach to the Alps with Snow Express
Another alternative to flying to your ski holiday is travelling by coach. Coach travel to the Alps is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your ski holiday while often being cheaper than train travel or driving, especially at peak season. Many skiers and snowboarders might only have travelled by coach to a...
Laax introduces a gondola that you can summon up like an Uber
This winter, the resort of Laax in Switzerland is introducing the world’s first ski lift that can be summoned ‘on demand’. The new CHF80 million lift addresses the inherent inefficiency of traditional gondola that sees cabins continually rotate regardless of whether they have any occupants. The ‘FlemXpress’ will send cabins only on request. Energy use...
Midnight Trains drop plans for Edinburgh-Paris service
Disappointing news was released this week from the start-up Midnight Trains, who have confirmed that their plans no longer include a sleeper train from Edinburgh to Paris. The company plans to offer travellers a new ‘hotel on rails’ service around Europe, serving a dozen destinations to and from Paris. No Edinburgh-Paris service The company has...
NightJet services to Austria by train via Amsterdam still an option for winter 2023/24
Eurostar has confirmed that the no Eurostar trains will be able to depart from the Netherlands between June 2024 and January 2025 – a shorter interruption than anticipated. Renovation work in Amsterdam This is because of renovation work at the Amsterdam Central station, which will mean that the Eurostar departure and customs area will be...
Trenitalia offer skiers train options to French ski resorts from Paris
The landslide in the Maurienne valley in August that moved 10,000 m3 of rock means that the Paris-Milan rail route remains blocked. However, skiers looking for train routes to the French Alps can still use Trenitalia this winter. Paris to Lyon and Chambéry From December 10, Trenitalia will offer five trains a day from Paris...