The French alps are home to some of the best skiing in Europe—and the glitziest resorts. This winter, it’s easier than ever for travelers to access the region’s charming towns and scenic mountainscapes via high-speed rail.
Earlier this year, Eurostar announced that Eurostar Snow would be returning for the 2025-2026 winter season with convenient weekend departures from major cities like London and Amsterdam. A sustainable and immersive alternative to flying, the special winter routes offer stunning alpine views and seamless connections. Here’s what to know before you book.
The routes
Eurostar Snow journeys from London St Pancras International to Bourg-Saint-Maurice first travel to the charming French city of Lille, where passengers can then make a simple transfer to the French Alps. On its way to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which acts as the gateway to resorts including Tignes and Val-d’Isère, the train stops at Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, and Landry. Each stop acts as a gateway to resorts via a drive that’s considerably shorter than airport transfers tend to be. Hop off at Albertville for the likes of Megève and La Giettaz, check into one of Courchevel’s fanciest hotels from Moûtiers, or see what Montchavin has to offer from Landry.
For travelers departing from the Netherlands or Belgium, the snow train also operates direct routes from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, and Antwerp to Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice—no transfers required.
How much does it cost?
One-way fares start from £99 (around $130).
How long does it take?
The journey from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice takes just under 8 hours, while the train from Amsterdam takes 7 hours to get to Albertville and 9 hours to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Departures from Brussels offer the shortest route, taking five hours to get to Albertville and 6.5 hours to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Eurostar Snow services run every weekend from Saturday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, April 5, 2026. The train is also an excellent option for winter travelers bringing their own gear; each passenger is entitled to two suitcases, one piece of hand luggage, plus skis or a snowboard at no extra cost.
This story was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
