Hi Biki17,
Unless you're going ski-ing during Feb half-term I would think there are seats left on the overnight train. If you go on the Eurostar website you can check for yourself (or give them a ring). The problem is that Crystal and Inghams etc. only buy up a limited number of these and they've probably sold out.
But there are other options, like going totally DIY, or going with someone who just provides accommodation and getting the train tickets and transfers yourself.
We are going out by the day train and back on the night train. I can't sleep on the train and I think I'd be too tired to ski the next day.
Ally
Eurostar direct night ski train
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Started by AllyG in Ski Chatter 11-Aug-2010 - 44 Replies
AllyG
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
Tony_H
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
My first ski holiday to Val Thorens was on the overnight Eurostar. Funnily enough I have never gone back on the train since, and never ever will. It was a total nightmare.
Ok, you can take more than you can if you fly, but no one puts it on the train for you, so you end up hiking it all around, and then you have to put up with other people doing the same, so theres never enough room on board, and many of the people I came across were extremely rude and selfish about luggage and where it went.
Secondly, it takes forever. Its quicker to drive. Well, nearly. People talk about getting an extra day in, but to be honest after having spend all night on a train, the last thing you will want to do is ski for the day!
The Eurostar has upright and uncomfortable seats. You can not sleep, unless you are one of these lucky people who has the ability to switch off the minute their bum hits a seat. It rocks, it gets too hot/too cold, people take their shoes off with smelly feet, and they eat smelly food so your carriage will stink. Plus people fart all night, and snore, and stay up playing cards, or texting, or playing the DS Lites.....you starting to get the picture yet?
Its also NOT cheap. I am sure for a small number of people who don't like flying or who want to take excessive amounts of baggage, its right for them, but for anyone who normally flies or drives, I'd suggest stick with what you have been doing. Taking the train was one of the worst decisions I ever made for a holiday. Sit in the wrong position and get a stiff neck, and you won't be skiing....
Ok, you can take more than you can if you fly, but no one puts it on the train for you, so you end up hiking it all around, and then you have to put up with other people doing the same, so theres never enough room on board, and many of the people I came across were extremely rude and selfish about luggage and where it went.
Secondly, it takes forever. Its quicker to drive. Well, nearly. People talk about getting an extra day in, but to be honest after having spend all night on a train, the last thing you will want to do is ski for the day!
The Eurostar has upright and uncomfortable seats. You can not sleep, unless you are one of these lucky people who has the ability to switch off the minute their bum hits a seat. It rocks, it gets too hot/too cold, people take their shoes off with smelly feet, and they eat smelly food so your carriage will stink. Plus people fart all night, and snore, and stay up playing cards, or texting, or playing the DS Lites.....you starting to get the picture yet?
Its also NOT cheap. I am sure for a small number of people who don't like flying or who want to take excessive amounts of baggage, its right for them, but for anyone who normally flies or drives, I'd suggest stick with what you have been doing. Taking the train was one of the worst decisions I ever made for a holiday. Sit in the wrong position and get a stiff neck, and you won't be skiing....
www
New and improved me
Snapzzz
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
Tony_H wrote:My first ski holiday to Val Thorens was on the overnight Eurostar. Funnily enough I have never gone back on the train since, and never ever will. It was a total nightmare.
Ok, you can take more than you can if you fly, but no one puts it on the train for you, so you end up hiking it all around, and then you have to put up with other people doing the same, so theres never enough room on board, and many of the people I came across were extremely rude and selfish about luggage and where it went.
Secondly, it takes forever. Its quicker to drive. Well, nearly. People talk about getting an extra day in, but to be honest after having spend all night on a train, the last thing you will want to do is ski for the day!
The Eurostar has upright and uncomfortable seats. You can not sleep, unless you are one of these lucky people who has the ability to switch off the minute their bum hits a seat. It rocks, it gets too hot/too cold, people take their shoes off with smelly feet, and they eat smelly food so your carriage will stink. Plus people fart all night, and snore, and stay up playing cards, or texting, or playing the DS Lites.....you starting to get the picture yet?
Its also NOT cheap. I am sure for a small number of people who don't like flying or who want to take excessive amounts of baggage, its right for them, but for anyone who normally flies or drives, I'd suggest stick with what you have been doing. Taking the train was one of the worst decisions I ever made for a holiday. Sit in the wrong position and get a stiff neck, and you won't be skiing....
Thanks for that, that was pretty much the way i envisaged it. I have been looking at the eurostar for a break later in the season but were put off by my own ideas of what the journey would be like. You just confirmed it.
I once (or thrice) spent 24hrs on a coach to spain and it still haunts me......i have no desire to repeat the nightmare on a train.
Skied: Arinsal, La Plagne, Alpe D'huez, Flaine, Les Arcs, Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Sauze, Courchevel, Val Thorens
Tony_H
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
The only thing I can say that made the train better than a coach was that you could go to the loo when you needed.
I was going to add that you could also walk up and down a bit, but you cant, because people will lie on the floor, stack luggage in the aisles, or rest their feet across the aisle and moan like hell if anyone walks past their little piece of the train they had turned into their castle.
I was going to add that you could also walk up and down a bit, but you cant, because people will lie on the floor, stack luggage in the aisles, or rest their feet across the aisle and moan like hell if anyone walks past their little piece of the train they had turned into their castle.
www
New and improved me
Ian Wickham
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
Tony_H wrote:The only thing I can say that made the train better than a coach was that you could go to the loo when you needed.
I was going to add that you could also walk up and down a bit, but you cant, because people will lie on the floor, stack luggage in the aisles, or rest their feet across the aisle and moan like hell if anyone walks past their little piece of the train they had turned into their castle.
I must say that I would never go by train for all reasons Tony has given :thumbup:
NellyPS
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
Each to their own. I'd rather be on the train than sat in an airport for an eternity (which happens nearly every time I fly).
Ian Wickham
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
NellyPS wrote:Each to their own. I'd rather be on the train than sat in an airport for an eternity (which happens nearly every time I fly).
I think I have been lucky apart from a six hour delay in 1993 at Toulouse airport, no other hold ups
that I could mention.
Biki17
reply to 'Eurostar direct night ski train' posted Oct-2010
Hi Ally,
I am going to try Eurostar directly.
Going out daytime and returning overnight is my preferred option too:)
The main thing that is putting me off doing it DIY are transfers. I've heard that they can be very expensive. Otherwise I know there are plenty of nice, reasonably priced chalets around.
Regards,
I am going to try Eurostar directly.
Going out daytime and returning overnight is my preferred option too:)
The main thing that is putting me off doing it DIY are transfers. I've heard that they can be very expensive. Otherwise I know there are plenty of nice, reasonably priced chalets around.
Regards,
Topic last updated on 30-October-2010 at 23:34