CM DUPON releases world’s first standard electric snow groomer
French snow groomer manufacturer CM Dupon has launched the world’s first fully electric snow groomer of standard size, designed at the request of Compagnie des Alpes (CDA). After testing in La Plagne last winter, the pre-production model of the Alpine B400 will go into operation this winter, with the company in discussion with several French...
Case Study: London to Verbier by train
In March 2023, Iain presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from London to Verbier by train. 0801 (GMT) – London St Pancras Eurostar check-in is so much simpler and faster than flying: 12 mins to get through security and passport control AND with a full water bottle, cup of tea...
Case Study: Taking the train from the UK to Arinsal, Andorra
Tom Thorp recently contacted us after listening to Iain talking about train travel on The Ski Podcast: “I’ve been enjoying your podcast, thank you for all your work creating interesting episodes and insights.” Tom is a ski instructor, working both in the UK and regularly in the European mountains. He specifically wanted to share his...
The ‘TravelSki Express’
The ‘Travelski Express’ is fantastic news for train lovers and skiers looking to reduce their carbon emissions. UPDATE (13 July 2023): The Travel Express will not run direct from London to the Alps in 2023/24, with a service via Lille likely instead (see below) What ski train services are on offer to the Alps in...
Case Study: Driving to Méribel in a Tesla 3 Electric Car
Judy Mathews recently contacted us at Ski Flight Free to tell us about her experience of driving out to the Alps in her Tesla 3 earlier this year. The good news is Judy felt that the experience was “very positive” and she is already planning a similar trip for next season: “It required a bit...
5 ways Alpe d’Huez is reducing emissions
SATA Group – the company that manages the lifts in Alpe d’Huez – has been working on practical ways to reduce their emissions as part of their goal to achieve Net Zero by 2037. This is a quick look at some of the policies they have put in place already, with other measures lined up...
Glacier lake in Chamonix at risk of overflowing
The ski resort of Chamonix has met again to discuss the monitoring of the lake formed in 2018 on the Bossons Glacier. Formed from increased amounts of snowmelt, the lake now carries the threat of overflowing, should there be future extended periods of warm weather. Last year, the resort used an excavator to clear rocks...
New Solar Panels for Meribel
Méribel has joined the increasing number of ski resorts to deploy solar panels on their ski lifts. This winter look out for the unique PV panels on the roof of the mid-station of the Saulire Express gondola. In the summer of 2022, 182 solar panels, measuring one meter by two meters each, were installed covering an...
Case Study: UK to Méribel (Les 3 Vallées) by train
In January 2023, Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from the UK to Méribel – in the heart of Les 3 Vallées – by train. London to Paris All train trips to the Alps from the UK depart from London St Pancras International. I booked the first Eurostar of the...
New EV chargers for ski resorts in Andorra
Wallbox has announced the installation of twenty EV charging points for electric vehicles at Grandvalira Resorts. Chargers will be installed in Grau Roig (18 chargers) and Costa Rodona (two chargers) parking areas. They will offer 7.4kW charging power and are capable of operating in bad weather and temperatures from -25C to 40C. Powered by renewable...
New Direct Train from Amsterdam to Austrian Alps (Updated Dec 2022)
December 2022 Update: The TUI Ski Express has started. ⛷ Big news: The very first #TUI Ski Express hit the rail. ????The special #train is a weekly direct service from The Netherlands ???????? to the Austrian alps ????????. In addition to its comfort and cosiness, the big bonus is a more #sustainable transport to winter...
Six more French ski resorts awarded the ‘Flocon Vert’
Last week at the International Festival of Mountain Professions in Chambéry, the environmental organisation Mountain Riders confirmed that six more ski resorts have been awarded the ‘Flocon Vert’ sustainability label. The new resorts to receive the accreditation are: Font-Romeu (Pyrenees-Orientales) Val d’Isère (Savoie) Tignes (Savoie) Valloire (Savoie) Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie) Cordon (Haute-Savoie) In addition, two...
