When the Eurostar snow train was cancelled last year, there was a outcry, not only by winter-sports enthusiasts, but by environmental groups as well. However, in preparation for the 2021/22 ski season, the service is returning under the new name the Travelski Express, but in a different format.
Trains will be operated by Travelski, part of the Travelfactory Group based in Clichy, France and is a wholly own subsidiary of Compagnie des Alpes, Europe’s largest operator of resorts, including the La Plagne, Les Arcs and Meribel.
The service which takes approximately 8 to 9 hours plus transfers, runs from London St Pancras to the resorts in the Savoie and Tarentaise. The service will run thoughout the whole season, subject to any Covid issues.
Unfortunately, unlike the Eurostar ski train this is not an independent travel only services, but operates on a charter model with the train optio, instead of flights and only being linked Travelski’s holidays. So, their owners Compagnie des Alpes have chartered the trains from Eurostar for the season and in conjunction the travel company, put some interesting packages for self catering travellers, which we will cover in a future article.
So for the 2021/22 season there will be a low carbon option again for the ski traveller to use. It will be interesting to look at how competitive Travelski can make the packages you have to buy in order to be able use their trains.