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 2023/24?
—————-
Iain tested the inaugural outbound service in January 2022. You can read his article here, listen to the special podcast episode or watch his video below.
N.B. THIS SERVICE STOPPED IN APRIL 2023
The ‘TravelSki Express’ Ski Train
The service is known as the ‘TravelSki Express’, sold and operated by CdA subsidiary Travelski.com
It will depart from London Saint Pancras station on Friday evenings, going non-stop to Moûtiers and Bourg Saint Maurice stations, arriving the following morning. The return service leave on Sunday mornings, arriving in London the same afternoon.
The more trains the better
Guillaume de Marcillac, CEO of Travelski:
“The more trains that can go to the Alps the better.”
You can listen to Iain’s exclusive interview with de Marcillac in Episode 79 of The Ski Podcast.
Guillaume de Marcillac, CEO Travelski
Packaged trips only
TravelSki will offer a dynamic package deal that combines the train, transfers, accommodation and lift passes. The timings mean that packages will be for 7 days of skiing. There will be ample luggage space, with no ski carriage charges.
It will not be possible to buy train travel only.
Package prices at first glance look excellent value with lead in offers from £585pp for a family/group of 4 staying in Belhambra Belle Plagne in mid-January.
Destinations increased to 10 for 2022/23
A point to note is that the ‘TravelSki Express’ is being sold primarily for the benefit of the ski resorts operated by the Compagnie des Alpes. In the first season these were La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Les Menuires, Brides-les-Bains and Méribel.
As we suggested in June, the resorts of Val Thorens, Courchevel and La Rosiere have also been added to the Travelski programme for this winter, bringing the number of resorts on offer up to ten.
Strategic move to stop UK skiers shifting to Austria
Dominique Thillaud, CEO of Compagnie des Alpes (and, perhaps not coincidentally, a former director of Eurostar) said:
“(This is a) low-carbon stimulus solution to reach out to the UK customers that our Austrian competitors covet”
Marlène Giacometti, Director of Les Menuires Tourist Office said:
“It is such good news to have this service up and running for winter 21-22. British customers are so important for Les Menuires and we are keen to welcome them again!”
Success for ‘Save The Ski Train’ group
This is great news for UK skiers and snowboarders and vindication for all the lobbying done by the ‘Save the Ski Train’ group, of which Ski Flight Free is proud to be a part.
CdA aiming for Net Zero
Compagnie des Alpes has a goal of achieving Zero Net Carbon emissions by 2030, so the creation of the ‘TravelSki Express’ is part of that movement towards sustainability.
David Ponson, Director of Mountain/Ski Area Operations said:
“In the face of an unprecedented health crisis that led to the total closure of our activities for the entire winter season last year, Compagnie des Alpes is working closely with its partners to promote a swift and robust recovery of the mountain economy”
Over 100,000 clients travelled with Travelski in the 2018/19 winter season. Based in Chambéry with offices in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Tel Aviv, Travelski was acquired in 2018 by La Compagnie des Alpes.
