People often ask about how easy it is to ski by train. Perhaps you have environmental concerns, are a nervous flyer or simply would like to experience a different way to travel to the Alps.

Thanks to our friends at Inghams, one of our favourite tour operators who keep our website well stocked with deals, I had the chance to try out the journey on the outbound leg of our trip to Tignes in December.

It’s certainly a very different experience compared to flying, for me both options have their benefits and drawbacks, read on to find out what I thought, and which method I’d choose for regular travel to European skiing

The Alps by Train

St Pancras is one of the best connected London termini, which makes the the Eurostar super simple from many destinations in and around London. A straightforward change of platform, with airport-style security before boarding the international service to Paris. Eurostar’s departure lounge is less spacious than at most airports but you only need spend half an hour here, just make sure you get any last minute shopping done before ticket checks, otherwise your next chance to buy anything more than a sandwich or coffee will be in Paris.

Once on board, it’s certainly more comfortable than any short haul aircraft I’ve ever been in. Space to work and plenty of seats with real tables (at which I am typing this)….

Arriving into Paris is where the journey does start to become trickier than the plane. Unless you can get a seat on the direct Eurostar to Moutiers or Bourg St Maurice then you will have to switch onto the RER or cross Paris by taxi to the Gare de Lyon. Factoring in some considerable luggage and perhaps skis, this can feel like considerable extra stress, especially in larger groups.

However we pitched up at Gare de Lyon in good time and found the TGV down to Chambery comfortable and spacious, even in second class. A further platform change to a local service, arriving Bourg Saint Maurice in the evening for a 45 minute transfer up to Tignes.

The Honest Truth

Let’s face it, train travel to the Alps is a romantic notion and has some benefits but, in my view, we’re a million miles from replacing air travel for our ski holidays. The train can’t possibly compete on travel time. Resorts like Samoens have a 1 hour transfer from Geneva, making it possible to depart London on a 7am flight and be on the slopes by 1pm on the same day. This will never ever be a thing if you travel by train.

Comfort is also a consideration. An hour or two in economy class will always appeal to me more than 7 or 8 hours in trains with platform changes, Metro connections and a late-evening arrival.

It’s also very easy to underestimate the capacity problems for rail. As things stand there’s simply no prospect, even if the public took to wholeheartedly, for increasing the number of Brits skiing by train. Everyone should try it, and some will enjoy it, but there’s no replacing air travel yet…

Tignes - An all-time classic resort

Tignes really is one of our top resorts. Consistently featured in our Most Popular Resorts (did you know this list is updated constantly based upon enquiry & booking trends?), with one of the Alps’ longest seasons, best snow records and highest altitude villages.

It’s a place with just about everything for the serious modern skier. The ski area is difficult to beat, with 300km of pistes that are very well linked with Val d’Isere. With a great choice of apres-ski bars, extensive dining and a great array of off slope action, there’s something for everyone here. Perhaps the two biggest drawbacks are the long transfers and the lack of alpine charm. For that, you just head to the other side of the domain and stay in Val.

Chalet Corniche

After such a journey, a lot rests on the accommodation one arrives into. On this occasion our chalet nailed it. Warm, welcoming, nicely laid out and actually a great size for a catered chalet.

Chalet Corniche in Tignes sleeps 20-24 and sits just 50 metres from the pistes in Tignes Le Lac. I can barely think of a better situation in the whole of the resort. The centre of Tignes is easily reachable on foot, but the chalet is just far enough away from the hustle and bustle, making for a relaxing and unwinding base for exploring.

Inside the rooms are tastefully laid out, public areas warm, cosy and the balconies come with stunning views over the lake and mountain ranges of Tignes. Inghams’ chalet staff provided a superb level of food and service throughout our stay, their menu was well put together, well prepared and superbly presented!

Just 50 metres from the chalet door is the Loop Bar, one of Tignes’ best know apres-ski spots. Even at this early stage of the season, the atmosphere inside was great and the live band absolutely nailed a string of classic covers to a raucous reception before dinner one evening…

The Skiing

The Tignes/Val d’Isere Ski Area (formerly Espace Killy) is one of very few Worldwide ski areas that would make my list of places that I might choose as The Only Ski Area I Can Ever Ski Again. Spoiler alert, it’s not a long list.

This area really does have something for absolutely everyone, high altitude villages with a mixture of modern convenience (Tignes) and genuine Alpine charm (Val d’Isere). The area is known for having a micro-climate thanks not only to the altitude but also the orientation of the pistes and the local topograpahy. There are resorts at similar altitudes within 20 or 30km which simply don’t get anywhere near the same same snowfall or length of season.

There’s a phenomenal choice of pisted runs which will appeal to all abilities, and a huge amount of easily accessible, lift-served off-piste runs. The more adventurous can go a little further afield for some seriously challenging terrain. With the Italian border just a few kilometres away, heli-skiing is possible, which isn’t the case in a lot of French resorts since you have to cross into Italy to be allowed heli-drops.

Flying Home

A sad reality of trips like this is that they’re often over before they even begin. Our industry presents loads of chances to get out skiing, and I’m always the first to acknowledge how privileged I am to get so many opportunities, but sometimes I am left longing for a few more days and a little more relaxation.

So it proved this time, after 4 nights in the Corniche it was time to face the dreaded 5am alarm, a transfer to Chambéry and a flight home. Although contrasted to our outbound journey by rail, this was in fact the most environmentally friendly way home for us. As we’d been staying before the first paying guests of the season arrived, Inghams’ charter flight arrived full but would otherwise have flown back to London on an empty leg without inbound passengers. So why not use the spare capacity?

I was honoured to be acknowledged as Chambery airport’s very first departing passenger of the 2024-25 season. Passing through security and even having to wait as the departure boutique opened its shutters for the very first time this season!

For me, Chambery airport is a wonderful concept - A small airport within 2 hours of London and 2 hours of many of the Alps’ biggest, best ski areas. Imagine landing and being through into your transfer coach within 15 minutes and stepping into your chalet 2 hours later…

The problems come when things don’t run to plan. Diversions are frequent and when delayed, its one of the worst possible places, with close to nothing for the waiting passenger. Imagine my dismay when our aircraft came oh so close to touching down on time before weather forced a diversion to Lyon, and a 4 hour delay…

Overall

There’s no arguing with Tignes as one of the true flagship resorts in the Alps. Something for everyone. If you can’t enjoy a week here then you might want to reconsider whether skiing is for you. It might lack alpine charm but it makes up for that in every other department.

Thanks again to everyone at Inghams, who made this a very special trip with a bunch of excellent people.