Travel by Train to the Alps via Lille
The most obvious routes to the Alps are via Paris, but did you know that you can travel to ski resorts via Lille? There are direct TGV trains from Lille Europe on the Tarentaise line to Moutiers, Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice as well as through the Mont Blanc valley to Cluses, Sallanches...
Take the night train to Serre Chevalier
With all the (justified) attention around the new ‘Travelski Express’ service, it’s easy to forget that there are still French ski resorts that are served by a ‘proper’ overnight train that offers couchettes, rather than just seats. Long-time train travellers will recall the days when there was a wide choice of overnight sleeper trains from...
The ‘TravelSki Express’: New direct ski train to the French Alps (Updated 24 Sep)
The ‘Travelski Express’ is fantastic news for train lovers and skiers looking to reduce their carbon emissions. Compagnie des Alpes has signed an agreement with Eurostar to relaunch the direct rail service from London-Saint Pancras to the French Alps. STOP PRESS (24 September): Packages are now available to book online The ‘TravelSki Express’ Ski Train...
Les Arcs funicular forced to close due to rise in temperatures
The irony is inescapable: climate change has led to the closure of the emissions-free funicular that connects Bourg-St-Maurice to Les Arcs. Powered by 100% renewable energy, the funicular means that it’s possible to travel by train the entire way from the UK to the resort of Les Arcs. ‘Significant deformation’ of the track It’s a...
Chamonix partners with Kia Electric Vehicles
Chamonix has started a new three-year partnership in which the car maker Kia will provide electric vehicles for the resort. The resort already has a great reputation for sustainability and is a verified ‘Flocon Vert’ resort under the Mountain Riders scheme. Marc HEDRICH, President of Kia France said: “The relationship between Kia and Chamonix is...
Serre Chevalier focuses on Renewable Energy
Serre Chevalier was one of the first ski areas in France to produce its own electricity since they started their renewable energy program in 2018. The resort plans to generate 50% of its electricity requirements by 2025 and to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030. There are three pillars to their plan: Hydroelectricity...
Chamonix targets second life for climbing ropes
Established in Chamonix 150 years ago, the Simond factory produces more than 200 tons of dynamic climbing ropes each year with a carbon cost equivalent to a single person flying around the earth almost six hundred times! In an effort to reduce their footprint, the company has launched an operation to collect old climbing ropes,...
Ski Instructor uniforms ‘debranded’ to allow resale
More great work from the Montagne Verte team in Morzine, who have been ‘debranding’ ski instructor uniforms so they can be resold. Volunteer Chrissy Jahier and local seamstresses have been working together with partners One Tree at a Time. Instructor uniforms were donated by Mint Snowboarding and Billski. You can see in the image how the logos have been...
Morzine & Avoriaz launches bid to attain the ‘Flocon Vert’ label
Morzine and Avoriaz 1800 have started their campaign to be awarded the ‘Flocon Vert’ label, only awarded to ski resorts that demonstrate high levels of sustainability and environmental responsibility. The accolade is awarded by the organisation Mountain Riders and recognises destinations that demonstrate a commitment to a sustainable development policy. The threshold is set very...
Is travelling by train still safe in the ‘new normal’?
Are you looking forward to travelling again once lockdown ends, but are concerned about the risk of taking a train journey? You shouldn’t be: don’t be put off the greenest form of transport. Risk of Infection is less than 0.01% According to research by the RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board), the risk of Covid-19...
Les Arcs awarded ‘Flocon Vert’ label for sustainability
We are delighted to report that French resort Les Arcs has been awarded the Flocon Vert label. Iain Martin, founder of the Ski Flight Free campaign, travelled to the resort in December 2019 to review its sustainability credentials. You can read his article, which was published by InTheSnow.com earlier this year. First ‘Flocon Vert’ resort in...
NightJet service to run from Amsterdam to Austria from February 2021
Austrian rail operator ÖBB has confirmed that their NightJet service from Amsterdam to the Austrian Alps will start again in February 2021. Departures from Amsterdam are every evening at 19.30, connecting to Vienna, and via Munich to to Innsbruck. According to their website: Until further notice, single seats can be booked on the ÖBB...
