This was the first season of the Travelski Express direct train from London St Pancras to the Tarentaise, but what did travellers think of the service.
Review: Charlie Mack
Ski Flight Free follower Charlie Mack contacted us with his review of the Travelski Express. Charlie had previously travelled to Arc 1800 seven years in a row prior to Covid, always booking independently.
“This year I found Travelski and booked a package that actually worked out cheaper than I could do it independently for the first time ever.”
“Initially I was apprehensive as negative reviews came in on Trustpilot. But we set off on our trip hoping everything would run smoothly.”
Charlie on holiday in Les Arcs
Slow check-in at St Pancras
The journey didn’t start well for Charlie:
“Eurostar were terrible in their organisation of the queues in London St Pancras. This was not Travelski’s fault, but the fault of Eurostar for not foreseeing the large volume of Easter passengers and failing to put on enough security staff.”
The queues were the “worst I’ve ever seen”, according to Charlie, and after a two and a half hour queue, there was no chance to relax in the departure lounge before boarding the now delayed train.
“We knew the delay wouldn’t matter though as the train arrives so early into Bourg St Maurice”
Photo: Charlie Mack
Arrival in Bourg St Maurice on time
Charlie was met in Bourg by a Travelski rep who was not well-informed, but who did usher him to a complimentary breakfast across the road. Things improved as he made it into resort:
“We made it to Arc 1800 on time and I was first in queue to get my ski pass and drop our luggage at the baggagerie that Travelski had booked us.”
“It was all nice and smooth, we were on the first ski lift up and skiing in amazing fresh powder that had dumped overnight.”
“After skiing, the key pick up was easy enough from the local agency and our accommodation was cheap and cheerful as expected.”
A fantastic week’s skiing
Charlie enjoyed a “fantastic week’s skiing” blessed with good weather and had no need to call Travelski for any help during the week.
However on the final Saturday, the transfer bus arrived 45 minutes late:
“We had got up at 5.30am and thirty worried and tired travellers were relieved when it finally turned up. During the wait I emailed Travelski and got a phone call back at 7am to check I was ok. This was encouraging.”
Charlie reports that Eurostar boarding was so much more simple in Bourg than in London: “a real breeze.”
Boarding in Bourg
Photo: Charlie Mack
“I wouldn’t hesitate to book again”
“Overall I was nervous using a new company and seeing bad reviews, but we could not have had a more smooth holiday from Travelski’s perspective.”
“The two hiccups were not their fault but third party issues. I would not hesitate to book again.”
You can watch Charlie’s video from his trip here:
Read Iain’s review of the Travelski Express
Iain travelled out on the inaugural service on 28 January 2022 (delayed due to the French travel ban on Brits). You can read Iain’s report on InTheSnow.com, listen to his thoughts in this Bonus Episode of The Ski Podcast or watch this video: