Eurostar’s direct ski services open for sale on Monday 31 July 2012
2012-07-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Eurostar’s popular direct ski services from St Pancras International and Ashford International to the heart of the French Alps, will open for sale at 9am on Monday 31 July 2012.
The direct day and night services carry ski and snowboarding enthusiasts direct to the popular French ski towns of Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne* and Bourg St Maurice, with return fares starting from £149. The 2012/2013 seasonal ski services will run from 22 December (day services) and 21 December (night services) until 13 April 2013.
The stations offer easy access to a variety of top ski destinations in the French Alps, such as Courchevel, La Plagne, Tignes, Meribel, Les Arcs, 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’s overnight services arrive in the Alps early on a Saturday morning and depart late on a Saturday evening, making them perfect for winter sports enthusiasts looking for an extra couple of days on the slopes. On the Saturday day service, passengers can sit back and enjoy stunning views of the French countryside before they arrive rested and ready to go.
Mary Walsh, Eurostar’s Director of Communications, commented; “French ski resorts are some of the most popular in Europe, and more and more travellers are seeing that high-speed rail is the perfect way to reach them, with a minimum of stress and limited impact on the environment. On average, a Eurostar journey accounts for just one tenth of the carbon emissions of an equivalent flight and allows travellers to arrive close to their resort, relaxed, refreshed and ready to hit the slopes.”
Return fares start from £149 return. Travellers can indulge themselves on their way to and from the slopes by travelling Standard Premier, enjoying more spacious seating and meals and drinks served at their seat from just £229 return.
Tickets for the direct seasonal ski services are available from www.eurostar.com, by calling 08432 186 186, at Eurostar stations or from travel agents.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
* Travel to Aime La Plagne is for outbound passengers only, for inbound travel back to London passengers need to board at Bourg St Maurice
About Eurostar
1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland® 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 100 million passengers between London and the Continent. Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet. The new Eurostar e320 will carry more than 900 passengers at speeds of up to 320kph.
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 please contact:
Eurostar Press Office
t: 00 44 (0) 20 7843 5500
e: press.office@eurostar.com
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