Family ski holidays

Best ski holidays by train

Last updated 9th June 2017

Valloire, France

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Given the quality of the 93 miles of pistes of the Galibier-Thabor ski area and the charm of the 17th-century village, it’s a surprise Valloire isn’t more popular with British skiers.There are activities such as dog-sled rides, and the resort is unique in the Alps for offering walks with llamas. Or, if your family can handle the adrenaline, you can paraglide high above the slopes. Childcare is excellent, with Les Aiglons day nursery taking care of kids from six months to six years. Instructors ferry children from the nursery to ski school,leaving parents free to stay on the slopes.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 17.31 by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and take a taxi (or Metro) to a hotel by Gare de Lyon. Next morning, take the 08.27 TGV, arriving at St Michel Valloire station at 12.48. From there, it’s 25 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: For two adults and two children travelling to Paris from London, it will cost around £513, with the regional train from Gare De Lyon to St Michel Valloire costing on average £54.

Find out more: valloire.net/uk/index-winter.aspx will tell you more about what the area has to offer.

Megève, France

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It is difficult to imagine a more picture-postcard setting for a ski holiday than Megève’s charming village, set around a grand square. This is a resort with bustle, chic and 250 miles of scenic, intermediatefriendly ski terrain, shared with neighbouring St Gervais. Dotted around the slopes are some of the Alps’ cosiest mountain huts, so you won’t be short of options for lunch or a hot-chocolate stop. The resort prides itself on forwardthinking non-ski activities, too, and the sports centre there has introduced Zumba and yoga classes for five- to 12-year-olds, and free Baby Glider ice-skating activities for under-fives.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 17.31 by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and take a taxi (or Metro) to a hotel by Gare de Lyon. Next morning, take the 10.11 TGV, arriving at Sallanches station at 15.07. From there, it’s 20 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: For two adults and two children travelling to Paris from London, it will cost around £513. Continuing your journey from Gare de Lyon to Sallanches station starts from £166 for a family of four with two young children.

Find out more: For the best time to visit and where to stay, en.megeve.com

Les Gets, France

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One of the delightful surprises you find in Les Gets is a cute road-train that shuttles skiers around the village. Children love it and this is a resort that has families at its heart. There’s a special beginners’ ski area, Espace des Mappys, which has a gentle slope with two moving carpets, beside the main ski slopes, and nearby, the Mauve Milka ski run helps children learn about mountain flora and fauna as they ski down. The resort is part of the vast 372-mile Portes du Soleil ski area, but it is the quiet local slopes at Mont Chéry that make it special. They are home to the fantastic Grande Ourse restaurant, with its open fire and huge glazed windows that offer panoramic views, and an inventive menu that ranges from British to Savoyard.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 17.31 by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and take a taxi (or Metro) to a hotel by Gare de Lyon. Next morning, take the 10.11 TGV, arriving at Cluses station at 14.49. From there, it’s 25 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: For a family of four travelling to Paris from London via the Eurostar, it starts around £513. The next leg of the journey to Cluses starts around £163.

Find out more: For information on where to stay, en.lesgets.com

St Anton, Austria

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It might have a well-earned reputation for fantastic après ski, but St Anton’s pedestrianised Tirolean village makes it a great place for families, too. Quiet Nasserein, which has easy access to the more gentle slopes, is the ideal place to base yourselves. St Anton really excels for adventurous intermediates who can take advantage of the fast, modern lift system
and seemingly endless terrain. Off the slopes, there is an impressive public swimming and spa complex at Arlberg-Well and a 2.8-mile toboggan run from Gampen to Nasserein and Rodelstall.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 07.19 by Eurostar to Lyon, and stay at a hotel just a few metres from the station. Next morning, take the 07.08 regional train, arriving at Annecy at 09.10. From there, it’s 35 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: Eurostar tickets from London to Lyon costs £44.50 with the regional train to Annecy costing £20.50, for adult rates.

Find out more: Want to know more about the area, and when is the best time to visit? stantonamarlberg.com/en

Vals Cenis Vanoise, France

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A glance at the piste map makes it clear why French families love this ski area. An impressive network of green, blue and red runs criss-crosses the terrain, accessed from the small, friendly villages of Lanslevillard, Lanslebourg and Termignon, with beginner slopes right next to the villages, making it easy to meet up after lessons. This is a good destination for families that like to self-cater, because there are plenty of high-quality residences at prices significantly below the French norm.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 07.19 by Eurostar to Lyon, and stay at a hotel just metres from the station. Next morning, take the 08.31 regional train, arriving at Modane at 10.49. From there, it’s 30 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: Travelling from London to Lyon via the Eurostar starts from £44.50, with the train from Lyon to Modane starting from £19.

Find out more: For more information on the area, val-cenis.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com

Serre Chevalier, France

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Serre Chevalier is made up of four villages, all suitable for families and each with access to 155 miles of ski terrain. The village of Chantemerle has its own nursery-slope area at Serre Ratier, while the beginner area at Le Monêtier is another good learning option. Off slope, try Les Grands Bains thermal spa complex at Le Monêtier, bowling at Chantemerle and the ice rinks in each village.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 17.31 by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and take a taxi (or Metro) to a hotel by Gare de Lyon. Next morning, take the 10.41 TGV, arriving at Oulx station at 15.23. From there, it’s 50 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: For two adults and two children travelling to Paris from London, it will cost around £513. For an additional £249 you will be able to travel from Gare de Lyon and Oulx station. After all that travelling you can relax in Les Grands Bains thermal spa with adults paying just under £15 and children paying just over £5.

Find out more: serrechevalier.com

La Clusaz, France

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British families love this place, near Lake Annecy, with 137 miles of ski terrain amid the Aravis mountains. The village itself, centred around a 19th-century Savoyard church, has bundles of charm, and there’s an outdoor market every Monday selling regional produce. This is the home of Reblochon cheese, and in neighbouring village Le Grand- Bornand you can visit dairies and see exactly how it is made. For young novices, the Beauregard sector is great, with little bars overlooking the gentle gradients, so parents can watch their children’s lessons.

Catch the train: Depart London St Pancras at 07.19 by Eurostar to Lyon, and stay at a hotel next to the station. Next morning, take the 07.08 regional train, arriving at Annecy at 09.10. From there, it’s 35 minutes by taxi or bus.

Price: With Eurostar tickets from London to Lyon starting from £44.50, it’s only an additional £20.50 ticket to Annecy from Lyon.

Find out more: Learn more about the area, en.laclusaz.com