Figures published by the Ski Club of Great Britain and the Mountain Trade Network show that, this winter, Brits’ intention to travel by train to a ski resort has increased to 12% – twice as high as pre-Covid levels and six times higher than last year.
Gwenaelle Delos, Atout France director UK and Ireland, said France and the wider the travel industry needed to “take advantage of our geographical proximity and rail infrastructure to enable more people to get there in this way”, with rail a substantially more sustainable way of travelling to the Alps.
“It’s our responsibility to play our part in ensuring holidaymakers can research, book and travel by train to France as easily as possible,” she added.
Her words were echoed by France Montagnes president Jean-Luch Boch, who said that all those working in tourism “are increasingly aware of the impact of transport on the carbon emissions of winter holidays”.
The data comes despite Eurostar’s decision to axe direct ski trains from London to the Alps, offering instead an option to change at Lille for a continental train to Bourg Saint Maurice.
Nevertheless, Inghams has launched new ski rail packages to France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria, partnering with Eurostar on its newest ski services.