Snow train packages?
Discussion
Its coming up to ski season again and I want to go to Les Arcs. A mate of mine and I have discussed the snowtrain and it seems to be quite a good idea given the horrors of airport queues, collapsing tour operators and long transfers.
However, try as we might we cant find a company that will offer a package for the train, accom and a couple of ski passes. This leaves us in the predicament of having to cobble our own holiday together and this is somewhat unwieldy as well as the problem that every separate company we involve increases the chance of a problem down the line.
Is there a company that anyone recommends for snowtrainage?
Also, the altibus - how does that work for the short trip to the resorts? is it simply a bus service that works the slopes?
TIA
However, try as we might we cant find a company that will offer a package for the train, accom and a couple of ski passes. This leaves us in the predicament of having to cobble our own holiday together and this is somewhat unwieldy as well as the problem that every separate company we involve increases the chance of a problem down the line.
Is there a company that anyone recommends for snowtrainage?
Also, the altibus - how does that work for the short trip to the resorts? is it simply a bus service that works the slopes?
TIA
Not used the snowtrain (which requires a change in paris in the middle of the night), but used the eurostar last year. Direct from london to the alps, overnight, so you get an extra day and a half on the slopes. 
We arranged a taxi on the web to take us from the station - bad move as it turned out, long story but they weren't there, and it ended in a lot of shouting, swearing and very nearly fisticuffs on the way back. I'd just get one when you arrive to be honest, you might have to wait for 30 minutes or so but it's quite easy. It's what we had to do anyway as it turned out, and was not really any trouble
It's a pretty miserable journey though. But then so is it when you have an early flight and long coach transfer. I thought it would be unwieldy as well, but there's not really any more waiting around than with a package. And it's soon forgotten when you arrive at 8:30 am in resort and the slopes are empty!
We arranged a taxi on the web to take us from the station - bad move as it turned out, long story but they weren't there, and it ended in a lot of shouting, swearing and very nearly fisticuffs on the way back. I'd just get one when you arrive to be honest, you might have to wait for 30 minutes or so but it's quite easy. It's what we had to do anyway as it turned out, and was not really any trouble
It's a pretty miserable journey though. But then so is it when you have an early flight and long coach transfer. I thought it would be unwieldy as well, but there's not really any more waiting around than with a package. And it's soon forgotten when you arrive at 8:30 am in resort and the slopes are empty!
I've done exactly that trip and it's incredibly easy to arrange yourself. Tickets from eurostar.com, lift passes from resort website and they post to you (for Les Arcs it's ace, jump on the funicular railway out of the train station, then there are buses between levels), and there are no end of places to search for accommodation. Most of the really good places I've stayed don't feature in any of the UK package operators' brochures.
The only benefit I felt I ever got from a package deal was having someone meet us at the airport, get us on the right coach and drop us at the right accommodation. Not an issue on the snowtrain to Les Arcs as you avoid the need for a transfer at all.
If you've not been on the snowtrain before bear in mind that overnight (sleeper) trains only go from Paris, not direct. And if you want to go during the day (the flight replacement one) then make sure you do go direct as there are some which are via Paris. Any indirect ones involve a trip on the Metro between Paris stations - so if you get a (rare) delay on the inital train it can be a stressful trip to the next leg!
The only benefit I felt I ever got from a package deal was having someone meet us at the airport, get us on the right coach and drop us at the right accommodation. Not an issue on the snowtrain to Les Arcs as you avoid the need for a transfer at all.
If you've not been on the snowtrain before bear in mind that overnight (sleeper) trains only go from Paris, not direct. And if you want to go during the day (the flight replacement one) then make sure you do go direct as there are some which are via Paris. Any indirect ones involve a trip on the Metro between Paris stations - so if you get a (rare) delay on the inital train it can be a stressful trip to the next leg!
If you can, drive. I've driven to the alps for skiing several times with friends. It always ends up as a good road trip. Get a late ferry, drive through the night and ski that morning. Likewise on the return leg, ski all day, drive through the night and get a morning ferry home. Gives you a chance to fill up with cheap booze and fois gras. (Back in my youth we even used to facter in a quick trip to Holland for an evening 
if thats your kind of thing )
if thats your kind of thing ) Thanks for all the replies guys. Re the driving - in considered it but the simple answers are a) i cant be arsed and b) my 1972 Rover P6 does just 12 to the gallon and is a handful on greasy surfaces
It leaves then the train. i found a company that will sort me out with passes accom and travel for £500 each for the week which i dont think is bad really
It leaves then the train. i found a company that will sort me out with passes accom and travel for £500 each for the week which i dont think is bad really
The Black Flash said:
Not used the snowtrain (which requires a change in paris in the middle of the night), but used the eurostar last year. Direct from london to the alps, overnight, so you get an extra day and a half on the slopes.
IMO this is hell on earth if you are over 5' 6" and cannot sleep upright.Did it once, never again.
The couchette(sp?) service is very basic but you can get some sleep, and there is the DISCO CARRIAGE!!
russ_a said:
I hate it when people say you get n extra day on the slopes if you use the train. The reason you get an extra day is because you set off the day before!!
he's right you know.Edited by davido140 on Saturday 11th October 23:10
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff