If you haven’t tried family ski holidays by train yet, Daniel Elkan and Robert Thorne are determined to convert you with their pick of rail-perfect European resorts.
Ski holidays by train ©Deutsche Bahn/Uwe Miethe
There’s something very satisfying about family ski holidays by train. Sitting at tables or strolling to an on-board café bar, all while your train speeds you towards the Alps, makes the journey part of the holiday. Most importantly, children love rail trips.
There are a number of options between the UK and the Alps, starting with the simple Eurostar Snow service: Eurostar to Lille, then just switch platform and travel on to the Tarentaise region of the French Alps.
Another option is to take a Eurostar to Paris, followed by a high-speed TGV which connects you to resorts all over the French Alps as well as Switzerland, Piedmont in Italy and even Tirolean resorts in Austria.
Also, you can travel overnight to Austria’s slopes by combining a Eurostar to Brussels or Paris with a Nightjet sleeper train from there.
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La Plagne ©Louis Garnier
La Plagne: top family pick of French ski holidays by train
Boasting over 425km of piste as part of the Paradiski domain (shared with Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry), La Plagne is easily one of the best options for ski holidays by train in France.
Given its size, the resort is perfect for those who like a highly personalised getaway. With 11 base villages to choose from, each varying strongly in pricing, ambience, and architecture, you’re sure to find your glass slipper (or ski boot).
For first time family ski holidays with kids, you’ll find several debutante areas around Plagne Centre, Aime La Plagne, Plagne Bellecôte, and Montalbert, as well as several excellent ski schools. Plus, for 18 and over’s first après-ski, La Plagne has a wide range of options, including the Luna Bar, Igloo Bar, and The Mouth.
Make it happen by train: depart London St Pancras at 9.01am on Saturday on the Eurostar Snow service via Lille-Europe, arriving at Aime-la-Plagne at 5.23pm. It’s 25–45 minutes from the station to La Plagne villages, by bus or taxi.
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Saint-Gervais ©Boris Molinier
Saint-Gervais: family ski holidays with French spa town vibes
Before becoming a ski resort, Saint-Gervais was well known among Europe’s aristocracy as a spa town. While it now boasts 455km of slopes, the resort’s hot springs remain one of its top attractions, and are, in our opinion, still the perfect way to relax after a day on the slopes.
Saint-Gervais has a long history, reflected in its charming Belle Époque architecture. Opened in 1909, the Mont-Blanc-Tramway (TMB) – Europe’s highest tramway and the last rack-and-pinion train in France – rolls through the town and is a must-try if you want unparalleled views of Mont Blanc. Alternatively, the new Valléen gondola links the train station and village centre.
As a laid-back, picturesque ski town, Saint-Gervais is great for families. Its high-altitude beginners’ area, Les Marmottons (1,840m), guarantees good conditions. Meanwhile, the resort goes all out for the festive season, with an annual light show, the Lumières Saint-Gervais, and a Christmas Craft Market.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras on the 7.31am Eurostar to Paris Nord, change to Paris Gare de Lyon, and take 12.18pm TGV, changing at Bellegarde. Arrive in St-Gervais-les-Bains at 5.18pm. It’s a 15-minute transfer to the village from the station, by gondola, bus or taxi.
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Nendaz ©Switzerland Tourism/Lorenz Richard
Nendaz: Swiss ski holidays by train, two hours from Geneva
As part of the 4 Vallées Domain, Nendaz provides access to over 410km of piste, as well as some of the friendliest prices you’ll find in Switzerland, especially compared to neighbouring Verbier.
Although the local slopes aren’t extensive, they’re well-suited for beginners, with some good reds for intermediates.
Non-skiers can take advantage of some of the best winter hiking and snowshoeing trails in the Alps, while the more adventurous must try the Mont-Fort Zipline which reaches speeds of 100kmph.
Geneva is a mere two-hour train ride away along the picturesque shores of Lac Léman, so Nendaz makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Additionally, its wide range of accommodation, dining, and seasonal events means it has something for everyone.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras on the 8.01am Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, change to Paris Gare de Lyon, and take the 12.18pm TGV to Geneva. From Geneva catch the 4.05pm InterRegio train to Sion, arriving at 5.56pm. Nendaz is about 25 minutes from the station by bus or taxi.
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Les Menuires ©David Andre
Les Menuires: low cost family ski holidays in the 3 Vallées
Les Menuires sits next to Méribel and Courchevel, but offers the same access to the 3 Vallées – the largest ski area in the world – for a fraction of its neighbour’s prices.
The resort reflects the 1960’s French skiing boom, so expect a high-altitude village with modern apartment blocks and pedestrianised streets. Thanks to affordable dining options and ski-in-ski-out accommodation, its founding vision of democratising winter sports, remains true today.
Hence, for family ski holidays by train, Les Menuires is a real no-brainer. As, just an 8-hour journey from London, you have 600km of snow-sure slopes, along with friendly resort staff, a massive ESF ski school, and a vast range of self-catering accommodation.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras at 9.01am on Saturday on the Eurostar Snow service, via Lille-Europe. Arrive at Moûtiers—Salins at 5pm and from there, it’s 45 minutes by bus or taxi to Les Menuires.
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Bardonecchia village, Piedmont, Italy
Bardonecchia: one of the easiest resorts in Italy for family ski holidays by train
While not the most ski-centric resort on this list, the old Italian town of Bardonecchia is perfect for those looking to balance quiet, easy slopes with spas, shopping, and daytrips to neighbouring Turin.
Unlike purpose-built resorts like Les Menuires, Bardonecchia has always been a working town. For this reason, it tends to be quiet during the week but also has very affordable prices compared to other resorts.
Bardonecchia’s major pulls are its cheap ski passes and wide range of ski schools, as well as the excellent Italian cuisine, of course. And there’s also a year-round alpine coaster.
Lastly, if you’re looking to combine a ski holiday with a city break, Bardonecchia is perhaps your best option on this list, as it’s only 90 minutes by train from Turin.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras on the 10.31am Eurostar to Paris Nord. Change to Paris Gare de Lyon and take the 2.53pm TGV, changing at Oulx, to arrive in Bardonecchia at 7.41pm.
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Les Gets ©Valentin du Crettet
Les Gets: an 11th-century Alpine village eight hours from London
Situated within the Chablais Massif, Les Gets represents a perfect balance between easy skiing, historic interest, and cosy après-ski.
Its pedestrianised town centre features several local landmarks, including the Église de la Nativité-de-Marie, alongside artisanal French dining and a 24-hour tartiflette vending machine (our favourite).
As part of the Portes du Soleil domain, visitors to Les Gets have access to a whopping 600km of mostly forested piste. Of this, 120km of slopes are local to the resort, including some fantastic green runs within the Éspace des Mappys learners’ area
Offering roughly 17,500 winter guest beds, Les Gets has accommodation to suit all needs: from small, family-run hotels to spacious, catered chalets, and self-catering apartments. And this is another resort with an Alpine Coaster.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras on the 7.31am Eurostar to Paris Nord; change to Paris Gare de Lyon and take the 12.18pm TGV, changing at Bellegarde, to Cluses, arriving at 4.49pm. Les Gets is 25 minutes from the station by bus or taxi.
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Obergurgl ©Oetztal Tourismus/Markus Geisler
Obergurgl: ski holidays by train reach great heights in Austria
As the highest parish in Austria at 1900m, the tiny village of Obergurgl is the most snow-sure resort on this list. For that reason, as well as its historic charm, it’s long been a favourite with UK family skiers.
Owing to its altitude, Obergurgl has one of the longest and most reliable seasons in the Alps, so it’s perfect for a pre-Christmas getaway or spring skiing in the April sun.
It’s also a fantastic resort for families, with most of its piste being gentle blues and greens, a fully English-speaking ski school, and affordable accommodation.
As it’s well above the treeline, Obergurgl’s slopes can be fairly exposed. Nonetheless, in such a calm and cosy village, a spot of bad weather is simply an excuse for a day of ice-skating, tobogganing, hot chocolate and vin chaud.
Make it happen by train for February half term: depart London St. Pancras on the 1.01pm Eurostar to Brussels arriving 4.06pm, then take the 7pm Nightjet from Brussels to Innsbruck, arriving at 9.14am. The 9.47am Railjet from Innsbruck arrives in Ötztal at 10.10am. From there it’s 45 minutes to Obergurgl by bus or taxi.
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Peissey-Vallandry ©Yann Allègre
Peisey-Vallandry: Les Arcs’ low-key and charming neighbour
In contrast to neighbouring Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry keeps a surprisingly low profile among British skiers. There’s not much reason for this, however, as both resorts share the vast Paradiski Domain (including over 425km of piste), with abundant ski-in-ski-out accommodation.
That said, unlike Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry’s twin villages have a much more ‘traditional’ Alpine feel: think timber chalets and Baroque churches, especially within Peisey itself. The resort is also noticeably quieter than Les Arcs, so it’s well suited to families.
Besides virtually unlimited options for skiers of all ages and levels, Peisey-Vallandry has some good options for family-friendly Savoyard dining and two nurseries. The local ESF also offers English-language lessons for skiers as young as three from the base of the Vallandry Chair.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras at 9.01am on Saturday on the Eurostar Snow service, via Lille, arriving at Landry at 5.38pm. From Landry, Peisey-Vallandry is 25–35 minutes by bus or taxi.
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Saas-Fee ©Saastal Tourismus/Amarcster Media
Saas-Fee: traditional Swiss character and great skiing
Those familiar with Saas-Fee will tell you just how old-timey it feels, with raccards around each corner and pots of Glühwein steaming on terraces at the foot of its slopes.
However, high-altitude Saas-Fee is also a vibrant, family-friendly ski resort containing a highly unique piste map which means it’s almost impossible to get lost here, as all of Saas-Fee’s slopes start and end at the same two points. For parents of young racers, it’s a dream come true: simply go up, and go down; perhaps stopping for some goulash on the sundeck of the Bergrestaurant Längfluh.
Nature-lovers might find Saas-Fee one of the prettiest resorts on this list. Surrounded by 13 peaks over 4,000m and exquisite, snowy mountain terrain, it’s not nicknamed “The Pearl of the Alps” for nothing.
Make it happen by train: depart London St. Pancras on the 9.31am Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, change to Paris Gare de Lyon, and take the 2.10pm TGV to Geneva. Catch the 6.10pm InterRegional to Visp, arriving at 8.23pm. From Visp it’s 50 minutes by connecting bus to Saas-Fee.
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Useful guides for ski holidays by train
SnowCarbon guide to flight-free ski trips in Europe
