Eurostar has unveiled a new direct rail service designed specifically for winter sports enthusiasts, dubbed the 'Eurostar Ski train'. The high-speed rail operator's latest offering provides a seamless journey from the heart of London to the foot of some of the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps.
A Seamless Journey to the Slopes
The new service, marketed under the Eurostar Snow ticket, allows skiers and snowboarders to bypass the often stressful and cumbersome transfers typically associated with flying. The train departs from London St Pancras International and travels to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with a connection at Lille Europe in France.
The route includes stops at a host of key Alpine destinations, making multiple resorts easily accessible. These stations include Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry, and the terminus at Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Eurostar promises passengers they will be 'dropped right at the foot' of world-class ski areas.
Schedule, Pricing, and Onboard Comfort
The inaugural season for the direct ski service will run from 20 December 2025 to 28 March 2026. Outbound trains to the Alps will depart on Saturdays at 9.01am. The return leg operates from 27 December 2025 to 4 April 2026, with departures from Bourg-Saint-Maurice on Saturdays at 1.45pm or on Sundays at 10.54am.
The total travel time to Bourg-Saint-Maurice is just under eight hours, with the return journey taking approximately nine hours. A single ticket for travel on the popular date of Saturday, 27 December 2025, starts from £250.
Eurostar has tailored the service for those travelling with equipment, assuring customers there is 'plenty of space for bigger bags on board'. The luggage allowance is generous: adult passengers can bring two large items up to 85cm long, one piece of hand luggage, plus skis and a snowboard.
Onboard amenities include device charging points and complimentary Wi-Fi. Passengers can purchase food and drink at the Eurostar Café, or enjoy a meal served at their seat if they have booked a Eurostar Plus ticket.
Connections and Future Fleet Expansion
Upon arrival at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Eurostar states there will be 'plenty of coaches ready to whisk you to your destination'. For those alighting at the other stations like Chambery or Aime-La-Plagne, the service involves a 'speedy stop'.
This new Alpine route comes as Eurostar plans a significant expansion of its core fleet. In October, the company announced a €2 billion (£1.7 billion) investment to order up to 50 new double-decker trains for its routes from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. This new, fully electric fleet, to be named Eurostar Celestia, will mark the first operation of a double-decker train fleet in the UK and is part of a strategy to dramatically increase passenger capacity.
The launch of the dedicated ski train represents a major shift towards more sustainable and convenient travel for UK holidaymakers seeking a winter break in the Alps, removing the need for short-haul flights and complicated road transfers.
