Nothing quite like being able to kick your feet up and relax whilst enjoying the scenic French countryside, on the way to your snowy getaway!
Most people assume that flying to the Alps is the quickest and easiest way, but taking the train can actually take less time and it carries more perks - free ski carriage and larger luggage allowance and great for kids, just to name a few! Another big perk of train travel is it's far more environmentally friendly compared to other ways of travelling to the Alps. It gives you the ability to move around and stretch your legs, something you don’t get when travelling by car or plane, grab something from the food cart whenever you fancy and move around the train. There are a number of great resorts that are a short transfer from a train station.
La Rosière
Nearest train station - Bourg Saint Maurice
La Rosiere
A great choice for beginners and families, and a favourite amongst our ski experts and clients; La Rosière lies in the heart of the Haute Tarentaise region, right on the Italian border, just a half hour transfer from the nearest train station. It’s also the only resort in the Savoie that boasts an international ski area – perfect for those looking for long winding tree-lined slopes on the Italian side. Its mainly south facing slopes and excellent snow record, mean you’re sure to catch some blue-bird days when the weather is right.
St Martin de Belleville
Nearest train station - Moûtiers Salins Brides-Les-Bains
St Martin de Bellevile
Catch a high-speed TGV from Paris to Moûtiers Salins Brides-Les-Bains, and you could find yourself in the quiet village of St Martin de Belleville. Don’t mistake the quiet village for easy slopes, it's considered the best intermediate ski-playground in the world! Roughly 12 miles from the train station and a half hour transfer time, it’s an easy route to take when thinking about you next trip to the mountains.
Chamonix
Nearest train station - Chamonix
Chamonix
The closest resort to a train station is the beautiful town of Chamonix; at the centre lies their train station, serviced by the Mont Blanc Express. Although trickier than other routes, as you have to change trains a few times, this resort isn’t one to miss. You can access a wide variety of slopes and terrain – from beginner areas to more expert areas. With 1003km of piste to choose from, it’s a good place to head!
Serre-Chevalier
Nearest train station - Briançon
Serre-Chevalier
Set at the foot of the Ecrins National Park, Serre Chevalier has a good snow record and sunny ski area, with 250km of slopes to choose from! Just a 15 minute transfer from the nearest station of Briançon and you'll be in the heart of Serre Chevalier resort. Although renowned for its good-weather (300 days of sunshine per year!), Serre Chevalier has some of France's best terrain for skiing during bad weather - it's tree cover and sheltered woodland runs offer perfect cover. Utilise the clear nights and take part in some night skiing on Serre Chevalier's floodlit runs - one for the bucketlist!
La Clusaz
Nearest train station - Annecy
La Clusaz
A 45 minute transfer from Annecy station, will give you 20 miles of picturesque landscape up to La Clusaz. With an excellent ski area and possibly some of the best snow conditions in France, this isn’t a resort to miss out on – and with the ease of getting the train, it’s even more unmissable. La Clusaz is a friendly resort and has upkept its traditional charm; improved pedestrian access in the centre of the village allows you to enjoy the small village appeal.
Chamrousse
Nearest train station - Grenoble
Chamrousse
Chamrousse, although a longer transfer of 50 minutes (25miles), is definitely worth the distance from the train station. Set in the beautiful Isère region, Chamrousse has a varied alpine ski area and offers stunning views. Its proximity to Grenoble means that it’s one of the most accessible ski resorts in the Alps. The resort's status of Famille Plus shows how good the area is for children – a trip into La Montagne de Téo, the designated fun park, is one for all the family.
If you want more information on how to get to the Alps by train, read our Ski Train information page.
If you’re ready to put something in the diary or if you need some advice on where to stay, call our Alpine experts on 023 9283 9310, email reservations@peakretreats.co.uk, or you can book online.
