If the only footprint you want to leave on your holiday is in the snow then let the train take the strain as you head off on your winter break. Independent research by Eurostar found that travelling from London to Paris by train rather than plane cuts your CO2 emissions by a staggering 90 per cent. Also the views, drinks, internet coverage and luggage allowance are all far superior on trains. Above all there’s just something enduringly romantic about using the train.
Bardonecchia – Italy
This family-friendly resort has some of italy’s best ski schools along wit haccess to the 400km of pistes, which make up the Via Lattea(Milky Way) ski area. Bardonecchia also hosted some fo the 2006 Winter Olympics snowboarding events so those who prefer snowboards to skis will appreciate the Olympic-standard half-pipe. It’s one of Italy’s most accessible resorts – simply take Eurostar to Paris then hop on the Milan TGV, which will get you to the resort in less than five hours. It’s a simple, relaxing journey (www.bardonecchiaski.com).
Soll – Austria
If après-ski forms a crucial part of your holiday, this lively Austrian resort might just be for you. The north-facing runs hold the snow well so it’s ideal for the end of the winter season, while the huge number of intermediate runs makes it great for improvers. It is also part of Ski Welt, which has 250km of pistes. Take the Eurostar to Paris before hopping on the City Night Line sleeper train to Woergl. From there, it’s a short taxi ride to the resort (wilderkaiser.info).
Vebier- Switzerland
Verbier is part of Les 4 Wallees ski area, which boasts 410km of pistes. It’s also a world-class resort that has hosted several Ski World Cups. The resort attracts many British skiers so you would feel swamped or feel left out. Take the Eurostar to Lille then the TGV Lyria line, which stops at Martigny. From here, it’s one final change to get to Verbier train station (www.verbier.ch).
Serre Chevalier – France
Nightly sleeper train services connect Paris with Braincon, the centre of the pretty resort of Serre Chevalier, which covers a whopping 250km and is home to 13 villages. They include Chantemerle, which is a great base for families, and Villeneuve, which has some lively bars. Serre Chevalier remains relatively undiscovered by the British so it’s one of the cheaper places to hit the slopes and is significantly less crowded than other resorts in the French alps (www.srre-chevalier.com).
La Plagne – France
This winter season looks like an exciting one for La Plagne. The resort’s Colorado Park is home to a remodelled toboggan run and nursery slopes. The quieter La Plagne willages of Montchavin and Vanoise are easily accessible thanks to a brilliant network of lifts. There are some great restaurants, including the usual local fare of fondues, raclette and tartiflette. There are also some really good pizza restaurants and a Texan restaurant in Belle Plagne. To get to La Plagne, take the Eurostar to Paris then the TGV (France’s high-speed train) to Aime-La-Plagne. From here it’s just a short bus ride to the resort (www.la-plagne.com).