The direct rail connection between London and the French Alps won't run this winter, unless a new operation emerges.
The direct Eurostar 'ski train' service was cancelled before the pandemic, but had been replaced by a charter service to selected resorts run by a company operated by Travelski, an off-shoot of the huge Compagnie des Alpes group, which runs ski areas served by the train.
These include the Paradiski area above Bourg St Maurice and the 3 Valleys above Moutiers.
You could no longer just buy a rail ticket however, only a package including accommodation, transfers to the selected resort and lift pass.
Compagnie des Alpes said at the time the move was in part to try to get more people to travel by rail and cut their CO2 emissions.
Travelski have said today that they'll still run rail services to the Alps, but that skiers will need to change trains at Lille.
Here's the statement:
Following some recent speculation with regards to the train-inclusive packages, Travelski would like to confirm that the Travelski express (direct Eurostar service) from St Pancras to Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice will regrettably not operate this winter.
However, we are currently working on a Travelski express train-inclusive package which will run from St Pancras to the French Alps, with a change of train at Lille Europe. The service is expected to run for a short season, leaving London Saturday daytime and returning Sunday daytime. We will announce the precise dates and details as soon as these are concluded.
CEO of Travelski, Guillaume de Marcillac, comments "We continue to work with our friends at Eurostar and we are pleased that we will be once again be offering a train inclusive package from London to the French Alps. Of course, Travelski still have many excellent value packages available for the UK skier via our website and our English language call centre."