 Poster: A snowHead
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Anyone heard of the snow train?
Aparantly you get the euro star, then pick up another train from paris that takes you to a/some ski resorts and its a cheap rate?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It usually costs a little more than flying. Train just before 5 from Waterloo on Friday, a couple of hours for dinner in Paris, then change onto a six-bed couchette sleeper train. Arrive in the Alps early on Saturday morning. Do the same Saturday evening, with breakfast in Paris. I like it a lot!
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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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sounds great! but i thought it would be cheaper  was thinking about it as a second ski trip in march when im back from andorra
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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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I think we paid a £20 supplement on the package we booked last time. The main benefit is 8ish days' skiing rather than 6...
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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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ok, so how much was it in total?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There are a number of options. The big tour operators run a train out of Waterloo on a Friday afternoon, through to Gare du Nord where you pick up a sleeper down to Bourg/Moutiers etc. This adds an extra day's skiing to either end of the holiday, which makes a real difference if you are doing the package thing on a budget. Transfer times are also shorter (Bourg - Tignes is about 45 mins). The main disadvantages are that places are limited (esp. as Eurostar changed its pricing policy this year) and you are limited in the resorts the train goes to.
It should be noted that the couchettes are basic and you could be in with anyone. It can also be a little bit Brits on the wee wee and I wouldn't try the journey with young children or anyone that likes sleeping for that matter. That said, the disco carriage (I kid you not) is one of the highlights of European rail travel and needs to be experienced at least once.
You can also get Eurostar directly through to the alps (no sleeper car) and it is also possible to book Eurostar and then transfer across Paris to the Gare d'Austerlitz (iirc) and go south from there. The rail Europe website is a big help with this kind of thing.
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Last week, two of us had a compartment to ourselves there and back - luxury.
Great, great meal in Paris too...
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thats sound pretty good. there wouldnt be kids. we wouldnt mind what time we travelled and we could go from london waterloo or ashford. as long as it was cheap! disco carridge sounds like a laugh! anyone managed to do it on a really good budjet? I guess you need to book the resort accomodation and ski passes seperate?
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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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You really really don't want to go in the disco carriage. Not unless your idea of a good time is wading through 4 inches of booze and fags.
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Giles, my teenagers recommend the Restaurant in the Gare d/Austerlitz-excellent steak frites and chocolate mousse.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Isn't the snowtrain about £200 if you book it directly, or a supplement if you are on a package holiday (£40 last time I took the train)? It's a good way to travel if you're heading to resorts near a railway terminus in the Alps, but I wish it was a bit cheaper. For me, flying usually works out cheaper.
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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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rob@rar.org.uk, at Christmas my kids finished school several days after we were due to move into our apartment. Although they didn't travel on the snowtrain, they did get an sncf sleeper to Briancon from Paris, having flown to Paris from Newcastle, the train fare was 50 euros. BTW the flights were £32. The advantageof the Paris sleeper is it runs every day, whereas the Snowtrain from Calais only goes on a Friday night
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sun 22-01-06 17:44; edited 1 time in total
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I recently caught the Eurostar from Waterloo to Bourg Saint Maurice.
(Friday night or Saturday day)
It was great. 
Left Waterloo at 10am and arrived at 6.30pm local time.
Got a cab to Les Arcs 1800 and was in room by 7.15pm.
Went 'first class' and it did cost a bit but it was defo worth it and would recommend it.
Think you can also connect to TVC/TVR?? at Paris.
Also think rail europe do a direct train too.
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You know it makes sense.
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Shame. flying still seems a cheaper option. hopes it was going to work out a bargin way to get to the slopes. especially as i am only 20 minutes from ashford
would have been ideal. But i guess i will stick with the flying! (Im not a keen flyer) Will do it to save the £ thou
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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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Did this with SkiWorld which involved checking in at Dover, ferry to Calais, and on train at Calais for overnighter to Moutiers.
Not exactly luxury, very cosy with a full (6) compartment and a bit rattly, but quite sociable and ok after some 'anesthetic'
Plus point being you get there Sat morning and also got to ski most of the last Sat after everyone else has gone home with the slopes quiet.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Neil,
A cheap way to get to the alps is with www.skiweekends.com. You spend an evening each way on a coach, but if you can sleep on a coach it's fine. You get 3 days skiing on a week-end or 6 days for a week. For £240 ish, it's only basic B&B in Brides but it's then only a gondola ride to Meribel and the 3Vallees!! The week-ends are good if you are short of leave as you leave Thursday at 5 and get back Monday in time for work!!
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