 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi - after much reading of various threads on here and studying the snowcarbon website I think that next year we'll probably take the plunge and try letting the train take the strain. As we're up north we will probably go for a Saturday daytime train then try and come home overnight, getting 7 day's skiing. It would probably just about be possible todo the Friday overnight and get 8 days too, but that would mean leaving mid-afternoon Friday from up here.
Question is around booking, and for half term in particular. I know Eurostar snow train tickets go on sale in July, but the TGV or routes via Paris aren't til 90 days before (mid Nov?). If we went direct then I think that's all July bookings? Are there any genuinely low cost tickets at half term, or do they start pretty high? We got flights from Manchester to Geneva for £120 a head including bags on the Sunday of half term this year - but the train seems to start at £250 or so return - as the kids get older there's little or no reduction, so that extra day gets quite pricy. Or are we better off waiting for the via Paris options to get a cheapy? The tempting thing will be if in April when the flights come out we see cheapies like this year - we'd love to try the train but not £500-worth!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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From your place it'll take you all week!!
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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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Also take into account the cost of your train from the North to St Pancras - although perhaps this is offset against the cost for petrol to airport plus parking (or cost from transfers from Geneva to resort).
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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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hammerite, I wouldn't bet on it. You can get a weeks parking for around £25 now, well at Manchester anyway. At Leeds there's just a post for you to tie your horse to.
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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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| hammerite wrote: |
| Also take into account the cost of your train from the North to St Pancras - although perhaps this is offset against the cost for petrol to airport plus parking (or cost from transfers from Geneva to resort). |
Fortunately(?) I travel on East Coast a lot which means I get (a) loyalty points and (b) travel vouchers when they make me late so that bit'll be free!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Eurostar starts selling snow train tickets some time in October I think. They send a newsletter before they open the tills (but you need to register on their website). Not sure about half-term, but when I was buying I checked a few dates in January and March and they all were starting from 79 quid one way.
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| hammerite wrote: |
| Also take into account the cost of your train from the North to St Pancras - although perhaps this is offset against the cost for petrol to airport plus parking (or cost from transfers from Geneva to resort). |
Fortunately(?) I travel on East Coast a lot which means I get (a) loyalty points and (b) travel vouchers when they make me late so that bit'll be free! |
Ah good. If not I'd imagine the cost this side would be a similar (or higher) cost as the bit through the whole of France!
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| wyspa wrote: |
| Eurostar starts selling snow train tickets some time in October I think. |
Think it was September last year - need to check out the newsletter option! Cheers.
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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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Don't rule out ferry Hull / Zeebrugge or Rotterdam and then train if you are thinking of Austria or Sudtirol. I'm a bit further north than you and have done it from Newcastle / Amsterdam although the ferry times don't fit in too well with the train (which goes direct to Munich).
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I could be wrong, but I'm sure I've heard that there are special rates for the train connection into London if you're booking the Eurostar.
Worth a phone call to Rail Europe. In theory, they should be able to sell you a ticket from your home station to Bourg. Their website frequently doesn't have the right info, so phone them and say, "I couldn't get a sensible answer from the website.' That way, if you do book something, they won't charge you the call centre fee.
The train is the way to travel, IMO. So much more civilised than flying. The dead short transfer is the other major bonus.
I've just checked, I got my direct Eurostar tickets on August 3rd last year. I'd setup a google alert for 'Eurostar ski tickets on sale' and bounced as soon as I heard about them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Maireadoconnor - interesting - good idea about the google alerts. I was sure I'd heard late July, but then another website said 11 September!
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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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andy from embsay, Did the train Leeds to Bourg St Maurice about 3 years ago. Surprisingly painless, once it's booked - the hardest part I fund was sourcing tickets for the Leeds - KingsX leg that coordinated with the ski train (St Pancras direct to BSM) as they go on sale later than the Eurostar ones. I think we paid £13 pp each way for the UK leg and the train left Leeds about 6.30am.
This was for the day train. The overnight train is cheaper and may be easier to coordinate connections. I didn't fancy trying to sleep on it though.
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You know it makes sense.
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Yep - I'll only book it from St Pancras as I get alerts from east coast for the London trains anyway - but those rail canterbury people look good too...
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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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Hi Andy, daytime out, overnight back is a good combination.
there's a page on my site (low fares guide) which tells you how to get discounted rail travel to St Pancras, if you have a Eurostar ticket:
http://snowcarbon.co.uk/train-guides/insider-tips/guide-booking-lowest-fares
The Rail Canterbury people - Phil and Jacky are experts and good.
Coming up to July we'll also do a countdown to train booking opening, and possibly set up some email alert to help you get in at the start.
I reckon you would be safe with £250 return if you get in when booking opens, but can't say for sure.
The 90 days thing for non-direct trains is a pain and outdated - and it isn't always 90 days either.
This page is useful (I think) for seeing which dates can be booked and how much: http://www.snowcarbon.co.uk/train-guides/insider-tips/ski-trains-price-check
Hope that helps,
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