 Poster: A snowHead
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All,
Does anyone know if Crystal have reduced the seat allocations for the snow train this season? Last year we booked no problem the train a few times, but this year they tell me they have sold out. I fond this hard to believe unless
1. its more popular this year
2. seats have been reduced
3. its not cost effective for them to sell
Anyone got inside info 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've no major insight, but I used the overnight outbound mid January (booked independently), and it felt a little less busy than it has previous years for the same week.
Eurostar do have some new trains that they're rolling out. These have 16 carriages, instead of 18, but I don't know if they make up with more seats per carriage, or if they're using them on the snow train route.
Other thing to note; the overnight train (outbound at least), is a dry train this year, which changes the experience a bit
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I can book independently no problem on both the night service and the day service but trying to do it through Crystal Ski is a no go this year. I can only assume they have purchased less seat this year
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| viv wrote: |
| Other thing to note; the overnight train (outbound at least), is a dry train this year, which changes the experience a bit |
Wow! Even not allowed to bring your own?
Half the reason people do the train is for the overnight boozefest.
Though handy for those who actually want to get some sleep. Only time I've done it I was stuck in a party carriage and wasn't part of the party. Coming back it was quiet though.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| viv wrote: |
Though handy for those who actually want to get some sleep. Only time I've done it I was stuck in a party carriage and wasn't part of the party. Coming back it was quiet though. |
That's why this year we have booked day train going out and night train coming home 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you are looking to book accommodation plus train I'd recommend Peak Retreats or their subsidiary ski collection. I once looked at Crystal for a ski train plus accommodation package and they were not competitive.
For a family of four self catering in school holidays peak retreats were £1000 cheaper (saving of £250 per person) and we had a larger apartment than we would have had with Crystal (as they charge under occupancy supplements if you don't want to use the sofa bed for two people and want proper bedrooms instead).
I think the majority of Crystal's business is flight packages and so they are probably more competitive for that rather than train or self drive where there are probably better options.
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| Quote: |
Wow! Even not allowed to bring your own?
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I think the official line is that you are only permitted to take unopened containers of non-alcoholic drinks through security. Whether security staff have the time and inclination to enforce this may be another matter
I once got chatting to the bar staff on the way back when they were cashing up, and I think they take 30x as much money at the bar on the outbound overnight train compared to the return overnight
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| Quote: |
I once looked at Crystal for a ski train plus accommodation package and they were not competitive.
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I stopped using the train when it got more expensive than flying (back in the days when I used TOs). When it was cheaper and you got an extra day skiing it was worth it.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Even if it is more expensive travel wise you do get 33% more skiing in. Which makes it good value IMO depending on how much of a price you put on 2 extra days skiing, which you also get on the quieter Saturdays.
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last year it was £100 PP cheaper to go on the train, then take in to consideration the money saved on airport parking and ski carriage. No brainer 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| viv wrote: |
| Other thing to note; the overnight train (outbound at least), is a dry train this year, which changes the experience a bit |
I believe there is an M&S just before the platform so you can take a few bottles of wine with you.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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We're going by the daytime Eurostar this year as it is less hassle than any of the airports for French resorts and the transfer from Moutiers to La Tania is shorter than airport transfers. It's also easier with luggage - if we fly out of Southampton luggage amounts are not generous.
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| Steveee wrote: |
| viv wrote: |
| Other thing to note; the overnight train (outbound at least), is a dry train this year, which changes the experience a bit |
I believe there is an M&S just before the platform so you can take a few bottles of wine with you. |
The M&S is before security. It sounds like the only way to get drink on would be to buy unopened bottles from the bar after going through. According to reports on other threads they're enforcing the new rule.
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You know it makes sense.
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Worth noting that if you do manage to get a Crystal ski train booking, you'll be stuck with the same people on the way back as on the way out.. so if you get stuck next to Jeremy Kyle show stars on the night train out, who appear to be continuing said show throughout the night, you spend your entire holiday sick with dread over the return journey. Crystal cannot move you and Eurostar just ignore you when you beg in tears at the station to be moved/upgraded even if you're happy to pay.
Not that I am bitter, oh no. 
Book privately and it's probably a lot easier to move around and you're less likely to be stuck in Groundhog Day!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Funnily enough since starting this thread 2 more day time seats have come up with Crystal, only problem now is i'm not prepared to book 7 weeks in advance LOL. With this funny weather about it might be green by then 
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