The New European Sleeper Ski Train to Austria & Italy: Your Questions Answered

The New European Sleeper Ski Train to Austria & Italy: Your Questions Answered

The new European Sleeper Ski Train to Innsbruck in Austria and Bolzano in Italy (and onward to Venice) is a very exciting development for lovers of train travel and skiers looking for new ways to Ski Flight Free this winter. Iain Martin, host of The Ski Podcast and founder of...
[Case Study] The New Eurostar 'Snow Train'

[Case Study] The New Eurostar ‘Snow Train’

On 16 December 2023, I was invited to trial the new Eurostar Snow Train service by Inghams Ski, who are offering ski holidays packaged with train travel and transfers using the new service. This is a very significant step from Eurostar, having cancelled the previously successful service in 2020. So...
What ski train services are on offer in 2024/25?

What ski train services are on offer in 2024/25?

The options for train travel to the Alps this winter are outlined here: THE EUROSTAR SKI TRAIN (via Lille) Eurostar have confirmed that their snow train, reintroduced last winter will continue for 2024/25 with more departures. This is not a ‘direct’ service like the old Eurostar ski train that ran...
Why I’m taking the Flight Free Challenge in 2024

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...
Case Study: Driving To The Alps In An Electric Car

Case Study: Driving To The Alps In An Electric Car

With the adoption of electric vehicles increasing fast, more and more British skiers will be driving to the Alps in an electric car. Iain Martin, founder of Ski Flight Free, drove to Zermatt at the end of August 2022 in a Tesla Model Y to see what it’s like on...
Train Travel to the Alps: Tips and Advice

Train Travel to the Alps: Tips and Advice

As well as founding Ski Flight Free, Iain also presents The Ski Podcast. In September 2023, Iain discussed new train travel options with Krissie Roe from Inghams: In September 2020, Iain was joined by Daniel Elkan from Snowcarbon and Anna Hughes from Flight Free UK in a Facebook Live event to discuss...
"Ski resorts are afraid for their future"

“Ski resorts are afraid for their future”

Make sure you pick up a copy of this month’s ‘Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Magazine’ encouraging skiers to #SkiFlightFree. You can find Iain’s opinion piece on the existential threat to ski resorts on page 20: Find out more at www.skiflightfree.org
Why Ski Flight Free?

Why Ski Flight Free?

Climate change represents an existential threat to human life on the planet. The evidence for this has been widely published, but you don’t have to take my word for it. This is what Britain’s most trusted man has to say on the subject: An existential threat to the ski industry...
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New Solar-Powered Floodlit Cross-Country Trail in Austria

New Solar-Powered Floodlit Cross-Country Trail in Austria

This is a great innovation for winter 2024/25 from Hochfilzen in the PillerseeTal Valley, Austria. This winter marks a milestone for eco-friendly winter sports activities with the opening of the region’s first solar-powered, floodlit cross-country skiing trail. The trail is powered by 50 solar panels, combined with battery storage, which means the new photovoltaic floodlights...
Research: What is the carbon footprint of a ski holiday?

Research: What is the carbon footprint of a ski holiday?

In 2022, I looked at the carbon footprint of a ski holiday, based on some research by French ski resorts. The original research attempted to detail the carbon cost of a day’s skiing, and the differences your choices can make to the final figure. I’ve now updated these figures, to make it more specific to...
French Ski Resort mayors call for state to support train travel

French Ski Resort mayors call for state to support train travel

More than one hundred mayors of French ski resorts have called for the French state to support train travel. Earlier this month, following the annual meeting of the Association Nationale des Maires des Stations de Montagne (ANMSM) at La Clusaz, the organisation issued a statement for help in adapting to the rapidly changing mountain environment....
New rail map to French ski resorts

New rail map to French ski resorts

This new map is a fantastic way to work out the route by train to your favourite French ski resort. Click on the map to see the largest version. It was created by David Cooper and Daniel Elkan from the excellent Snowcarbon, on behalf of France Montagnes. Travelling by train instead of flying is the...
[Case Study] UK to Crans Montana by train

[Case Study] UK to Crans Montana by train

In September 2024, Iain from The Ski Podcast travelled by train from the UK to Crans Montana in Switzerland. This is one of the best ski resorts to travel to by train, as the funicular from Sierre means you can get off the train and be in resort little more than 15 minutes later. London-Paris...
Greenwash Alert: Beware of nonsensical 'climate' surveys

Greenwash Alert: Beware of nonsensical ‘climate’ surveys

I’ve been sitting on this one for a while as I think my time is better spent on positivity than negativity, but this ‘survey’ that landed in my inbox earlier this year is a classic example of greenwashing. I don’t feel inclined to name the tour operator concerned, but it’s another example of a brand...
New European Sleeper opens up train travel for skiers to Austria and Italy

New European Sleeper opens up train travel for skiers to Austria and Italy

The new European Sleeper train service will open up Austria and the Italian Dolomites for UK skiers and snowboarders who want to travel by train. The company has been operating a night train from Brussels to Prague via Amsterdam and Berlin since May 2023. Overnight from Brussels to Innsbruck and Bolzano This winter, they are...
[Case Study] UK to Corsica by train and ferry

[Case Study] UK to Corsica by train and ferry

So this is nothing to do with ‘skiing’ flight free (unless you are thinking about discovering one of Corsica’s ski resorts this winter), but regular readers will recall that I have taken the Flight Free Challenge for 2024…and that means summer family holidays as well. Brighton to Corsica by train and ferry That meant that...
Travelski adds Chamonix and La Clusaz as train travel options

Travelski adds Chamonix and La Clusaz as train travel options

Tour operator Travelski have released details of their train travel options for this winter, adding Chamonix and La Clusaz as new destinations. Travelski Express train-inclusive packages go on sale on 08 July, using the Eurostar Ski Train service to travel from London on Saturday mornings and returning the following Sunday. 8 nights’ accommodation and 7...
Eurostar Ski Train 2024/25

Eurostar Ski Train 2024/25

We are very pleased to confirm that the Eurostar Ski Train is back for the 2024/25 winter season. Eurostar Ski Train 2024/25 Tickets go on sale from Tuesday 09 July for travel between 21 December 2024 to 2 March 2025. You will be able to buy tickets on Eurostar’s ‘Ski Train page’ from 09 July...
Will global warming finish your fondue?

Will global warming finish your fondue?

The global rise in temperatures doesn’t just affect skiers in the mountains – French cheese producers are also feeling the heat. Unpredictable grass growth, problems with access to water and heat stress for the cows are increasingly common issues for Alpine herds. Hot days and summer droughts increasing The Syndicat Interprofessionnel du Fromage Abondance (SIFA)...
[Case Study] The UK to French Alps by Luxury Splitter Van

[Case Study] The UK to French Alps by Luxury Splitter Van

At Easter 2024, Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from Brighton to Les 2 Alpes in a luxury splitter van. What is a splitter van? Firstly, let’s clarify what we are talking about here. A splitter van is like a minibus, but with much more storage and way more...