2013-08-05— /travelprnews.com/ — Eurostar’s popular ski services from St Pancras International and Ashford International to the heart of the French and Swiss Alps will open for sale on Eurostar.com at 6.30am* on 6 August 2013.
The Swiss ski train
Launched in 2012, Eurostar’s Swiss ski service transports skiers and snowboarders from St Pancras International and Ashford International to the heart of the Swiss Alps and the Valais region, with return fares starting from only £179.
This year, the route will run over five peak weeks during the 2013/2014 ski season including Christmas, New Year and February half term,** and passengers can carry skis or snowboards all the way at no extra cost.
With an easy connection in Lille Europe onto a high-speed TGV Lyria service, passengers arrive into Vallorbe, Aigle, Martigny, Visp and Brig stations, from where they can make easy connections to nearby ski resorts including Verbier, Zermatt and Saas Fee. Eurostar ticket holders benefit from exclusive, discounted onward travel to these resorts, simply by booking their ticket in advance through the Switzerland Travel Centre (STC) on 020 7420 4934.
The French ski train
Eurostar’s popular direct day and night services to the French ski towns of Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne*** and Bourg St Maurice also go on sale on the 6 August, with return fares starting from £149. The 2013/2014 seasonal ski services will run weekly from 20 December 2013 until 12 April 2014.
The stations offer easy access to a variety of top ski destinations in the French Alps, such as Les Arcs, Courchevel, Tignes, Val D’Isère, Meribel and many more, allowing people to choose a resort that matches their needs. For added convenience, Eurostar allows ski passengers to carry on-board an extra item of luggage in addition to the normal luggage allowance – such as a pair of skis or a snowboard – at no extra cost.
Eurostar runs a Friday overnight service which arrives in the French Alps early on a Saturday morning and a return leg departing late on a Saturday evening – perfect for winter sports enthusiasts looking to maximise their time on the slopes. Alternatively, whilst on board one of the Saturday day services, passengers can sit back, relax, and enjoy stunning views of the French countryside before they arrive rested and ready to hit the slopes.
Tickets for the Swiss and French ski services are available from www.eurostar.com, by calling 08432 186 186, at Eurostar stations or from travel agents.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
* Public sales will open at 6:30am for dotcom and 8am for Eurostar’s Contact Centre
**Swiss Ski Service Travel Dates and Timetable
21/12/13: London – Swiss Alps
28/12/13: London – Swiss Alps / Swiss – London
04/01/14: London – Swiss Alps Swiss Alps > London only
15/02/14: London – Swiss Alps
22/02/14: London – Swiss Alps / Swiss – London
01/03/14: London – Swiss Alps / Swiss – London
08/03/14: London – Swiss Alps Swiss Alps > London only
***Travel to Aime La Plagne is for outbound passengers only, for inbound travel back to London passengers need to board at Bourg St Maurice
|
Outbound – Saturdays |
Inbound – Saturdays |
||||
|
Dep St Pancras |
06h57 |
Eurostar |
Dep Brig |
12h45 |
Lyria |
| Dep Ashford |
07h25 |
Dep Visp |
13h00 |
||
| Arr Lille |
09h26 |
Dep Martigny |
13h42 |
||
| Dep Lille |
10h02 |
Lyria |
Dep Aigle |
14h03 |
|
|
Dep Vallorbe |
15h06 |
||||
| Arr Vallorbe |
13h54 |
Arr Lille |
19h04 |
||
| Arr Aigle |
14h58 |
||||
| Arr Martigny |
15h22 |
Dep Lille |
20h30 |
Eurostar |
|
| Arr Visp |
16h03 |
Arr Ashford |
20h35 |
||
| Arr Brig |
16h14 |
Arr St Pancras |
21h06 |
||
About Switzerland Travel Centre
- Tickets for connecting travel to Swiss ski resorts is available from the Switzerland Travel Centre (STC) will full details on:http://www.stc.co.uk/swiss_alps_connection_ticket.html .
About Eurostar
1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.
2. Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways). On 1 September 2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR.
3. The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph. Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 130 million passengers between London and the Continent. Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet.
4. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.
5. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies. Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.
For more information:
Eurostar Press Office
020 7843 5500