Eurostar direct day ski services to the French Alps on sale from today for 2010-2011 winter season

Eurostar, the high speed passenger train linking the UK with the Continent, has today opened ticket sales for its popular direct day ski services from St Pancras International and Ashford International to the French Alps (Tuesday 13 July 2010). Return fares start from £149. Bookings can be made online at www.eurostar.com or by calling 08432 186 186.

Eurostar provides weekly direct services calling at Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne and Bourg St Maurice.

Eurostar’s direct ski services offer easy access to a variety of top ski destinations in the French Alps such as Courchevel, La Plagne, Tignes, Meribel, Les Arcs.  This allows skiers to choose a resort which exactly matches their needs. Eurostar stations are located a short bus ride from the resorts avoiding lengthy transfers to and from the airport. For added convenience, an extra item of luggage on top of the normal luggage allowance – such as a pair of skis or a snowboard – can be taken onboard at no extra cost and without the need to wait at airport baggage reclaim.

Travelling by Eurostar to the French Alps is the obvious choice for skiers who are looking to minimise their carbon footprint. Research commissioned by Eurostar has shown that a Eurostar journey to Bourg St Maurice generates 14kg of CO2 per passenger. By comparison, a typical return flight from London to Geneva[1] emits 147.8kg of CO2 per passenger.

Mary Walsh, Eurostar’s Director of Communications, commented: “Eurostar offers the perfect solution for winter sports enthusiasts looking to avoid the stress of travelling by air whilst minimising their environmental impact.  On average, a Eurostar journey accounts for just one tenth of the carbon emissions of an equivalent flight and allows travellers to arrive relaxed, refreshed and ready to hit the slopes.

She added: As well as our popular French ski destinations, tickets for resorts in Switzerland will be available later in the year thanks to onward connections in Paris.  More and more of our passengers are discovering the ease and convenience of onward travel thanks to Europe’s high speed rail network.”

The day ski timetables for the 2009-2010 ski season will be as follows:

(1)   Runs from Sunday 19 December 2010 to Saturday 9 April 2011

The first day outbound train will run on Sunday due to Christmas falling on a Saturday. Services will then resume on Saturdays as normal, starting from Saturday 01 January.

(2)   Runs from Sunday 2 January 2011 to Saturday 16 April 2011

The first day inbound train will run on Sunday due to New Year falling on a Saturday. Services will then resume on Saturdays as normal, starting from Saturday 8 January 2011

* There is no stop at Aime La Plagne on the inbound service.

Return fares start from £149 standard class. Travellers can indulge themselves on their way to and from the slopes by travelling Standard Premier, enjoying roomier accommodation and meals and drinks served at their seat from just £229 return.

Tickets are available from www.eurostar.com or by calling 08432 186 186.