Reduce your carbon footprint
Most independent research says that travelling by train to the slopes produces a relatively small carbon footprint compared to flying or going by car. Yet more than 5million visitors to the Alps fly there every year.
"People need to alter the way they travel to skiing destinations to ensure survival of the sport."
Dr David Viner, climate analyst from University of East Anglia
If you're looking to travel the greener way to the slopes, here we can dispel a few myths about train travel:
Going by train isn't much greener than flying, is it?
False. Recent research suggests train travellers produce ten times less carbon emissions than those travelling by plane on short-haul journeys.
The train takes much longer than flying, doesn't it?
Not necessarily. In many cases, ski train journeys are similar in length to flying. Remember, by train there's no 2-hour check-in time, fewer delays, no long waits at baggage carousels and (on most trains) no long transfers to your resort.
You get more time on the slopes if you fly, don't you?
False. Overnight trains deliver you fresh and ready to ski early in the morning to top resorts across Europe. Travel out on a Friday night and back the following Saturday night and you get eight days' skiing, instead of seven if you fly on a package
Flying is much, much cheaper, right?
No. Return prices start from around £100. There are no hidden taxes and no additional baggage charges for skis and other bulky kit.