You can leave Paris one evening and wake up at the doorstep of your resort the next day, saving you a whole day lost from travel. There's several options depending on your budget Seated Places: The Budget-Friendly Choice Starting from just €19 for a single journey, INTERCITÉS offers Seated Places. These seats are equipped with a footrest and an adjustable headrest to ensure your comfort. Plus, you'll have individual reading lights, making it easy to read or work without disturbing fellow passengers. It's the perfect option for those looking for a wallet-friendly travel experience. Bunks: The Ultimate Comfort at an Affordable Price For those seeking maximum comfort, INTERCITÉS provides another budget-friendly option. Choose between 1st and 2nd class bunks starting from only €29 for a single journey. There are 4 bunks in 1st class compartments and 6 bunks in 2nd There is a pillow and a duvet/sleeping bag with integrated sheet for each bed Space is optimised for luggage - space under bunks for luggage and ski bags above the door Section for Women Traveling Alone: Peace of Mind Guaranteed Compartment exclusively reserved for women traveling alone or with young children. Located close to the conductor, this compartment provides extra peace of mind. And the best part? It's a free service! Simply select 'Espace Dame Seule' when making your reservation and enjoy a worry-free journey. Private Area: Your Own Personal Haven With the Private Area service (Espace Privatif), you can reserve a whole compartment just for yourself. Prices start from €40, and this option is available in both first and second class. Enjoy the privacy and comfort you desire throughout your journey. Onboard services Free wifi Personalised wake up call Pre-order your meals online or visit the 2 toilets and a standalone sink per carriage No showers, but 1st class passengers can access showers in the Paris station with presentation of their ticket The Night Kit (provided) to travel well: water bottle earplugs tissues refreshing wipes eye mask Ski areas served (Follow the links for our area guides) Briancon - Serre Chevalier + Via Lattea Montdauphin Guillestre - La Forêt Blanche Embrun - Les Orres Gap - Plenty of connections to touring around the Ecrins These are all great areas that would otherwise require a fairly lengthy train from Lyon or Grenoble if you fly in, or a long coach in the case of Serre Chevalier. This is a far more efficient way of travelling and opens up new resorts for you to explore! The Positives of Overnight Train Travel Why choose an overnight train instead of a plane or car? There are several benefits to taking an overnight train: Save a day of travel No luggage restrictions: Unlike airplanes, overnight trains have more flexible luggage policies. You can bring as much luggage as you want and don't have to worry about size or weight restrictions. Scenic views: Train travel allows you to see the beautiful scenery of France. The overnight train from Paris to Briancon passes through stunning landscapes, giving you a chance to sit back and relax while taking in the views as you wake up. Environmentally friendly: Train travel is much more sustainable than flying or driving. Overnight trains also have lower carbon emissions than other modes of transportation, making them a better choice for eco-conscious travelers. Early arrival in resort - get everything sorted on your first day, squeeze in some more skiing or relax and take in the town. Departure and Arrival Times The overnight train from Paris to Briancon usually departs from Paris-Austerlitz station in the evening. The train leaves around 8:30 PM, giving you ample time to transfer from the Eurostar station, Gare du Nord, or a flight in the afternoon. Approximate arrival times - resort 06h53 - Gap 07h33 - Embrun 07h50 - Montdauphin Guillestre 08h20 - Briancon Want to find and book train tickets? Book on The Trainline up to 4 months in advance - The trainline integrates all European train providers into one app, so you can buy a full cross border journey in one purchase. It works out all the connections and transfer times. Want to learn more? Search: INTERCITÉS train Paris - Briançon

6 best swiss ski resorts near Geneva Want to fly into Geneva and ski in Switzerland? These are your best bets for a ski holiday with simple transfers, and the list is full of bucket list resorts. There are 6 areas with over 100km of slopes in the cantons of Vaud & Valais, meaning there's enough slope for at least a week. Save the planet + Extortionate private transfer fees Take a train direct from the airport, with 1 or 2 changes you'll be at the doorstep. Leave the long and expensive taxi's behind. If that's not your style, we've also added the transfer times by car. What are the timings? Between 2.5hr to Verbier - 4hrs to Zermatt via train Swiss train tickets are released 60 days in advance, you're looking at aprox. £60 - £80 return to get to any of these. Buy as early as possible for cheapest prices and most availability. What are the Ski Areas? 4 Vallées (400 km) Connected area 6 day pass: 366 Euro 4 Vallees pass is the best value ski pass per Km in the whole of Switzerland This ski area is a combination of 5 different resorts, connected across (you guessed it) 4 valleys. Due to the spread of locations, there's different options depending on your choice of resort. Verbier ( The most famous choice, a Freeride mecca) By Car: 1 hour and 50 minutes Public Transport: Take a train from Geneva Airport to Martigny, then transfer to a regional train to Le Châble. From Le Châble, you can take a cable car or shuttle bus up to Verbier. Le Châble - Verbier cable car will be considered as public transport. This means that the cable cars will run from 5.15 am until 11.50 pm from Monday to Sunday, and as well as that, you can use your Half Fare and GA travelcards on this route. There's also buses that do this route. **Alpybus** do shared transfers to Verbier from 54.50 CHF if you'd prefer a drive The journey takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. La Tzoumaz Train from Genevea to Riddes Take the cable car from Riddes up to Isérables, with its panoramic view it will transport you in a record time of 6 minutes. From there, CarPostal buses will allow you to reach La Tzoumaz. Nendaz, Veysonnaz & Thyon can be reached by taking the train to Sion. Geneva to Sion is around 2 hours direct. There are daily bus connections between Sion railway station and the resorts. Crans Montana (140km) 6 day pass: 465 euro Connect ski area By Car: The driving time is approximately 2 hours. Public Transport: Get a train to Sierre (or Sion) then the Funicular railway up to Montana Ski buses when you get there to get around the town The total journey time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Villars - Gryon // Les Diablerets - Glacier 3000 (232 km) Multi-area collection 6 day pass: 348 Euro Les Diablerets - Glacier 3000 By Car: The driving time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Public Transport: Take a train from Geneva Airport to Aigle, then transfer to a regional train to Les Diablerets. From Les Diablerets, you can take a bus or taxi to reach the Glacier 3000 ski area. The total journey time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Villars - Gryon By Car: 1 h 15 min. from Geneva Public Transport: Take a train from Geneva Airport to Aigle, then transfer to a regional bus (144) to take you up to the resort. The total time is aprox. 2hrs Saas Valley (150km) Multi-area collection 6 day pass: 404 Euro By Car: The driving time is approximately 3 hours. Arrival by public transport From the airport you get a train to Visp (2.5 hrs) From Visp, you can take the PostBus (Bus 511 - direction Saas-Fee) every half hour directly to Saas-Fee/Saas Valley. Aprox. 3 to 4 hours Zermatt - Cervinia (360km) Connected area 6 day pass: 458 Euro Geneva to Zermatt - aprox 3.5 to 4 hours From the airport change to mountain railway in Visp (2.5 hrs) to get to Zermatt (1 hr) Val d' Anniviers (200km) Multi-area collection 6 day pass: 299 Euro By Car: The driving time is approximately 2 hours. By Train: Geneva to Sierre (2.25 hrs) Bus to Grimentz (1hr) ***We know - Champéry (Les Portes du Soleil) is also in Switzerland, and on the same train line ( but the majority of the skiing in France so we've kept it off the list. 2 hr 23 min with a train all the way to the resort, change at Aigle Of course, depending on your preference, you can narrow it down by area size and ski pass price - the range of value per km is quite substantial! Check out how they compare with our pass price comparison tool: Open Me

All the planning info you need to book a ski holiday in the Espace Diamant. Between the Beaufortain and Val d'Arly, Savoie and Haute-Savoie ranges the Espace Diamant Ski Area connects 6 charming village resorts on skis: Les Saisies , Hauteluce , Notre Dame de Bellecombe, Crest-Voland/Cohennoz , Praz sur Arly and Flumet. These are right next to the much more famous (and much more expensive) Megève in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. With 192km connected across all 6 villages, it's a substantial size that will be more than enough for a week, especially for Intermediate and beginner skiers. Advanced skiers who like to take it easy will also enjoy this laid back area, and its close connection to the Evasion Mont Blanc Megève to expand their ski area if the itch for more km hits. Safest to choose any of these resorts as an option during peak season, due to the skiing being below 2000m. Budget on accommodation and food will go further than on the Evasion Mont Blanc Megeve. 🏧🎫Passes Espace Diamant is the biggest total area connecting all resorts, with an amazingly well priced 6 day pass @ 236 Euro for 6 days. That's 1.23 Euro/km - well below the 1.64/km European average Smaller sub sections can be purchased for the less enthusiastic or skilled (eg. Val d'Arcy, Les Sasises sub areas) that will save even more money. Beginners can take advantage of the points system, and only pay what they ski. ❓Resort Choices Notre dame de bellecombe or Crest Voland are the best choices for ski connections across the entire area. Stay in Les Saises if you're with non-skiers who love nordic, there's tonnes of tracks Stay Praz-sur-Arly if you want a short trip to check out Megeve's slopes too None of these really supply hectic apres ski, but a simpler, more chill option. Want more detail? As always our #1 recommendation is to check out the Piste Map when picking your accommodation location! 🚋Access: Train to Albertville DONT head to Sallanches like you would for Megeve. Trains direct from Paris, Nantes and Strasbourg if you're travelling over land. average. 3.5hrs from Lyon // 3.5hrs from Gevena // 2hr Grenoble // 45min Chambery Easiest from Lyon or Geneva airports because of their train station connections; Lyon - shuttle tram to Lyon central. Geneva airport to Geneva Cornavin train Also possible from Chambery and Grenoble. Chambery - 25 euro/ 10min taxi from airport to train station, taxi to be ordered in advance on arrival. Can also get a coach from train station to Albertville Grenoble - 45min coach to connect airport and train station Albertville to Espace Diamant Shuttle to the resorts - book on Altibus Lines 22, 23 or 24 from Alberville, depending on your final destination. aprox 30 min to Flumet aprox 1.25hrs to Les Saises Otherwise there's always Private transfers or car hire Due to the low altitude the drive is less likely to be impacted by severe weather conditions How does the ski pass price compare? Use our price comparison tool ⚠️Want to get the most out of your next ski holiday - follow for more inspiration, deals, itineraries etc. Check out the site, for planning tools like the Ski pass price comparison, example itineries, resort highlights, ski area size guides, transfers. etc.

Looking for a ski resort with a difference? Nestled in the picturesque Maritime French Alps, the ski resorts of Auron and Isola 2000 offer a remarkable blend of mountainous beauty, thrilling skiing opportunities, and convenient access. Located just a stone's throw away from the sunny shores of the French Riviera, these two resorts provide an idyllic weekend escape for seasoned skiers and a good value weekly option for beginner winter sports enthusiasts. Auron: A Winter Wonderland Nestled at an altitude of 1,600 meters, Auron stands as a charming ski village with an authentic alpine atmosphere. Renowned for its family-friendly environment, Auron offers a wide range of ski slopes suitable for all skill levels. With 135 kilometers of ski runs, including gentle slopes for beginners and challenging descents for experts, it caters to skiers of all ages and abilities. Beyond the slopes, Auron boasts a lively après-ski scene. The 2 villages ( one at 1600, one more traditional at 1100m) are adorned with rustic chalets, traditional restaurants, and cozy cafés, allowing visitors to unwind after an exhilarating day on the mountain. The ambiance is welcoming and laid-back, making Auron a perfect destination for those seeking a tranquil alpine getaway. Isola 2000: High altitude adventure Situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters, Isola 2000 is a high-altitude resort that offers an unforgettable skiing experience. Altitude means it's a better bet for a getaway closer to the beginning or end of season too. With 120 kilometers of ski slopes it provides a diverse range of terrains, from gentle beginner-friendly runs to challenging blacs. Additionally, Isola 2000's modern ski lift infrastructure ensures efficient transportation, minimizing wait times and maximizing time on the slopes. Isola is a purpose built resort that's nearly ski in ski out of all residences, with a mix of Hotels and Apartments. As we said before, this means you can fly into Nice airport and go ski! Not something many people would associate with winter sports Getting to Auron and Isola 2000 from Nice Airport: Both Auron and Isola 2000 are easily accessible from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, making them convenient choices for travelers seeking a ski vacation without the hassle of long journeys. Here are the recommended transportation options: Car: 1.5 to 2 hours 1. Private Transfer: Arrange a private transfer from Nice airport to your resort of choice. Several companies provide door-to-door service, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey. This option is particularly suitable for families or groups traveling together. 2. Car Rental: Renting a car from Nice airport allows you to have the freedom to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. The scenic drive to either resort takes approximately two hours, offering breathtaking views of the French Riviera and the mountains. This is a great option especially for Isola so you can pick up shopping on the way, as a smaller purpose built resort there's less options both for groceries and for dining out. 3. Shared Shuttle Service: 2hrs 15 to either resort 710-720am daily service from Nice Airport More times Saturday, Sunday and Friday and weekdays during holiday times These shared transfers provide a cost-effective option for solo travelers or small groups. Advance booking is recommended to secure your seat. What is the price? €6 for a single journey and €12 for a return journey 1 item of baggage + skis allowed. Payment of an excess baggage ticket will be required for each additional item of baggage Remember to check departure times before you book flights! We think this is a great value resort choice, ideal for: Short ski breaks Ski stag or hen dos Budget ski holidays Beginner ski holidays Novel ski holidays Ski and city breaks Remember, you can check out how this compares to other resorts of similar size and price on our - use the menu at the top of the page.

Seasoned holiday planners know all the tricks in the book to save money on travel, transfers and accommodation, however what really pushes up the price of a ski holiday is the all important Ski Pass. Unless you're going to ski tour everyday, there's no avoiding this essential piece of the puzzle. While ski resorts may have varying prices and offers, there are several strategies you can employ to secure the most affordable option without compromising on the quality of your experience. This article will guide you through some effective techniques to find the best deals on ski passes. Plan Ahead: One of the golden rules to finding cheaper ski passes is to plan your trip well in advance. If you know the resort you want to visit... Early bird discounts and promotional offers are often available if you book your passes several months before your visit. Keep an eye out for pre-season sales or early booking discounts, which can significantly reduce the cost of your ski pass. Sign up to resort mailing lists & instagram profiles to be the first to know. Be open to different Resorts: While it may be tempting to stick to well-known and popular resorts, exploring lesser-known ski destinations can often result in more affordable ski passes. Research and compare various resorts in your desired region to find those offering competitive pricing. That's where Snowclans comes in! We have compiled a comprehensive list of all the 6 day pass prices for European resorts Use this as a guide to compare and narrow down the selection of resorts you want to visit. Group Discounts: If you're planning to ski with a group of friends or family, inquire about group discounts. Many resorts offer reduced rates for larger groups, so be sure to check their group pricing policies. The most common groups are: Tribe passes: 3 Adults Family passes: 2 Adults + 2 'Children' Large group discounts: Usually starting at 20+ people Season Passes If you are planning to Ski multiple times in a season a season pass might be a cost-effective option. These can be purchased for one or multiple resorts (Check out the rest of the blog for Multi-area pass info) and often break even at 2-3weeks vs. buying a multi-day ticket. There's emerging variants that offer a blend of flexibility and volume, such as 100 day passes for use on non-consecutive days. As with weekly passes, season passes can have amazing discounts if bought in advance, keep monitoring from the Spring for discounts of up to 50% pre-season. Follow on the insta where we release stories for each new deal we find Age Discounts Don't think it's as simple as above and below 18 and over 65s Age classifications for adult ski passes varies among different European ski resorts. A few of the common cut off points we've come across are: Over 25s Over 16s Over 13s It's not uncommon for the 'Children's' passes to also be tiered into Youth / Teen / Child, with some resorts offering free passes for little rippers. Similarly, those in their later years can get "Senior" passes, that start from 65-75. Create a shortlist and check out the resort websites to see who's got the best offers. Beginners Passes & Free learner areas The best price is free! Absolute beginners can sometimes be gifted the pleasure of free magic carpets, but more often than not they're included in Ski Schools costs and reserved just for them. A lot of resorts have dedicated beginners areas. There's 2 ways that beginners lift passes work - Limited lifts or Points systems. Points Systems for Beginners: Instead of purchasing a full-day or multi-day pass, beginners have the option to buy a pass with a specific number of points. Each lift costs points, with beginners slopes lifts often very cheap. This also allows them to take lifts to harder slopes to give them a shot once or twice before committing to a full pass. Limited Lift Access for Beginners: In some European ski resorts, beginners' lift passes offer access to specific lifts and slopes designated for novices. Limited lift access passes often come at a reduced price compared to full access passes, making them a cost-effective choice for those starting their skiing journey. Hope that gives you enough inspiration! Remember - check out our comparison tool to figure out the best ski pass for you and narrow down your ski resorts. All the best Snowclans team

We know, you think it can't be done. It will absolutely never be the cheapest choice, but it's a once in a life time experience. There's ways that you can save money and stay in Courchevel whilst not compromising convenience and experience. First of all - Where is Courchevel? The most easterly resort in the Three Valleys ski area, eastern France. The Three Valleys is the worlds largest connected ski area, boasting 600km of pistes. What is Courchevel? One of the most well known and high-end ski resorts in the world. Courchevel is actually 6 different connected villages in one. From most to least prestigious and expensive they are: Courchevel 1850 Courchevel 1500 aka. Courchevel Village Courchevel Moriond Courchevel La Praz Courchevel La Tania Saint Bon Courchevel Villages Explained When we say prestigious we mean several things, but mainly it's dictated by the level of luxury retail, services and accommodation you find. 1850 is the home of excess, we are talking boutiques from Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Louis Vuitton literally at the foot of the slopes. The majority of restaurants and bars follow suit, although there is a wide range, you should expect that you will be paying heavily for the location. You can access skiing directly from 5 out of 6 of the Villages. However, 1850 is directly at the bottom of the wide bowl that the Courchevel ski area sits in, you effectively ski through it to connect to several of the other Villages. If anything, 1850 is actually not most peoples style, especially if you're reading this article, but it's certainly an interesting cultural experience to check out. Lets cut to the chase HOW DO I SKI COURCHEVEL CHEAPLY? We recommend looking at accommodation in Courchevel La Praz or Saint Bon. La Tania is our 3rd choice because we have prioritised the surroundings in the Village. If you simply don't care about the apres vibes there's some great value apartments. So what are these other Villages like? What's the difference between the Courchevel villages? We wont bore you with essays, but rather give you a snapshot of each one. Courchevel Village (1550) Get to the snow front in 1850 in 5 minutes. This is a slightly less high maintenance village, easily accessed by blues, connected with 1850 by a long running lift from 7:45am to 11:30pm + a toboggan run. Also handy for Aquamotion, the resorts pool centre. Courchevel Moriond Peaceful, family oriented, the furthest village on the extreme of the Three Valleys area. It's local slopes are much quieter than the main bowl as its on the far side of the area, with 2 specific connections needed to be taken if you want to explore from the other villages, meaning a lot of the traffic is from those residing there. Courchevel La Praz Traditional village developed to keep up with demand for its charm This has a great mix of authenticity and convenience Ski back on a red or.... NEW in 2019 La Praz lift that operates from 7:45am to 11:30pm Takes you to the 1850 slopes in 8 minutes No need to rely on shuttle buses at any time of day This is a great addition for people who want to explore 1850 or get to ski school quickly and with no need to get timetable anxiety Saint-Bon The original village that started it all. You can save a lot by setting up base here, plus you get the authentic mountain town vibe. Ski back to it by Red run when the snow line allows. Not as inconvenient as you think! Shuttle buses run from morning to night and it only takes 5 minutes to get to La Praz and up into the mountains. La Tania Purpose built flats and Chalets nestled in the woods, the newest addition to the resort. This is a car free Village with lots of local entertainment and activities that makes it very popular with families. Direct access to the ski area means no need to commute to ski. Green and Blue runs back to resort. Shuttle buses are available to other villages. How do I get to any of the Courchevel villages? Most cost effective for solos, couples and small groups are shared transfers to Courchevel, whether private or public companies. Quickest :Train to Moûtiers Possible from most airports but best from Lyon (direct possible) and Geneva + Bus to Courchevel (1hr 10) - 12 euro one way or Direct Bus Geneva - Courchevel (4hrs) Lyon - Courchevel (3hr 40) Remember - leave a connection time (1 hr) to allow for delays

Uncover new areas to ski you may not have heard of (that wont cost you hundreds in taxi costs to get to) This article is part of a series This is great if you are: Planning a solo ski holiday Need new ideas Want good value transfers Want to avoid the English Ever wondered, where can I ski near Grenoble (that's good value)? I got a cheap flight to Grenoble, where next? Where's good value skiing for a long weekend? Are there shared ski transfers or Ski bus options? Cheap transfers for solo skiers aren't always easy to find to lesser known resorts, but we have your options here! We're talking £60 return vs £500 taxi Let's start, where can you ski from Grenoble? The 3 closest mountain ranges to Grenoble are: BELLEDONNE OISANS VERCORS OISANS International tourists might feel a familiarity with the 'Oisans' range. This contains 4 distinct ski areas, 2 of which are world renowned, those being: Les Deux Alpes // 200km // €279 for 6 days & L'Alpe d'Huez grand domain // 250km // €292 for 6 days Including the towns of Oz en Oisans, Vaujany, Villard Reculas and Allemond. Smaller areas that are less well known internationally are: Auris en Oisans // 45km pistes L'Alpe du Grand Serre // 55km pistes Hidden resorts for the international market to discover BELLEDONNE Range Chamrousse // 90km slopes // €195.50 for 6 days les 7 Laux // 120km slopes // €195.00 for 6 days VERCORS Espace Villard - Corrençon // 125km slopes // €223 for 6 days click on the names to visit the area website So what? Enough skiing for an extended stay Cheap connections from Grenoble They're overall cheaper to stay & ski at Check out the accommodation options So how do you get from Grenoble to the Ski areas? Transaltitude is a great public service that runs from Grenoble train station to all the key resorts in the area. Timetables differ by resort, some having more departure times than others. Pay maximum 35 Euro return 3 pieces of baggage included - Backpack, suitcase & Skis/Snowboard (covered) Grenoble Train station departure times - outbound If you're travelling during February school holidays / Christmas and NYE periods, there's more times available Check out the up to date timetables here Of course, they also offer shared transfers to Les Deux Alpes and the Alpe d'heuz towns if you want. We'll do a separate post on that. Tip: SkiLigne deals Skiligne is a specific one day return ticket which includes your ski pass and bus ticket. Usually leaving at 8:15am and returning at 5pm Costing you a max of 50 euro / day (Alp d'heuz) Long weekend Tip Stay in Grenoble and try a different ski area each day Make a long weekend of it? This is a great value option, and means that you don't have to time your international travel around bus connections on the day of travel. What if these times don't work? You can always find an alternative shared transfer on Omio Omio displays all car shares (blablacar) and alternative options that match your times. How do I get to Grenoble train station? By Train Connection Grenoble is on the Lyon line, connected internationally by routes on high speed TGV lines e.g. via Paris From the UK you can easily get the Eurostar, transfer across Paris and take a direct service to Grenoble. Check out the links via buttons below for a time table, check prices on the calendar and search & book specific dates Read our article on planning train travel to ski destinations in Europe for helpful hints & tips when planning By Plane + Bus 45min bus from Grenoble airport, regular line 27 euro return Adults Up to date info & Booking here By Plane + Train Obviously, you can skip part of the journey and fly into Grenoble airport or you can fly into Lyon. Flying into Lyon isn't a bad idea, the airport is connected by a shuttle train to the main train station where you can get a quick and cheap train to Grenoble. Especially good for those who hate the idea of a long coach journey. This gives you more options for choosing a good value accommodation either in Lyon or Grenoble if you get a late cheap flight before a transfer connection. Why not search for flights and see what deals you can get? Thanks for reading! Save for later Why not check out our other guides & tips? Join the website to keep up to date with new releases, exclusive member discounts & skier community. Follow on socials to get bite size tips & immediate alerts to new offers

Transfers are often the last thing to consider and the first place to trip up when it comes to self-building a ski holiday. This is especially apparent when you are traveling as a solo skier or any small group on a budget when the door to door taxi service is simply not economically feasible. As well as being a good value alternative transfer option for solo skiers, they are also a very eco-conscious ski travel choice. In this article we will be covering the key things you need to consider when planning train travel to the European Alps in winter. Pre-Planning How far in advance can you book train travel to ski? We applaud you for pre-planning your ski holiday, this is certainly an excellent idea if you wish to have as many options available to you as possible. However, you will need to make some educated guesses if you're planning too far in advance. Planning in Summer / Autumn Most major European train operators change their timetables on the 2nd Saturday in December, and release tickets for the new timetable in mid-October. PLEASE NOTE: Operators (especially in France) tend to only release a month or so worth of tickets at this time, taking you up to January, the release is often a bit staggered so I'd maybe wait a week or 2 and check back. Which means: Do not look up times and routes for the months prior to December and assume they will be the same in the Ski season. If possible, see if you can find the previous years Winter time tables to give you an indication of what you can expect (But bear in mind services change) Late October/ Early November is the best time to book if you have very specific train times and routes you'd like to take early in the season. The general rule is 2-3 months ahead you are most likely to get the close to full picture Switzerlands exception - 60 day window for domestic bookings. If you want to transfer by train for the peak weeks over Christmas and New year get in as early as possible once the window is open, as with most things, services are reduced or altered so availability will be less and demand as domestic travel for the holidays increases will be high. Planning to Ski by train in-season As stated previously - Assume a 90 day window for open bookings, the further away the date, the more options you'll have and the cheaper the fare. Don't want to risk it? Sign up to a booking alert at Raileurope.com If you have a specific journey in mind that you don't want to miss out on, search for it on Raileurope.com If it isn't open for booking they will allow you to sign up for a mailing alert, and drop you an email when booking opens. How do I plan routes & book tickets? Firstly - Know what's possible We will be releasing a tonne of regional guides on the blog, so make sure you follow on socials and sign up to the site. Secondly - Research the number of options & timings Through the various changes in nationalised rail, private companies, chartered trains etc. trying to use the individual carrier sites across Europe is a headache to plan your route and research your options, because you'll never get the full picture. The best option is to use Thetrainline app or website This is the most comprehensive aggregator that covers most of mainland Europe and has built in journey planning, so it will manage connection times, combine multiple suppliers and. cross boarders. Which means you'll be able to plan international routes easily if needed. They've also just introduced Coaches, so if there's a complimentary coach option covering some or all of your route, you can see these too if you want. What about my Luggage? First of all - Make sure you're physically able to load and unload everything you bring with you! Especially if you're bringing your own equipment. Pulling a full suitcase and ski bag/boots across to connecting platforms isn't for everyone. It is always best to check with the carrier(s) you've book with, but you're almost guaranteed to be fine taking a normal sized suitcase, there's minimal services where luggage restrictions apply. Ski carriage, although slightly more awkward to find a spot o n board, is often allowed with no extra charge too. In Italy if sufficient space isn't available in your train car, you must be prepared to check your skis to be carried in the baggage car. Depending on the networks you're looking to book with, end to end luggage services are possible within countries. More on this in our individual area articles. e.g. If you land in Zurich, and take the train to ski in Davos (via change in Lanquart) your luggage can meet you there. Timings Joining up every step of your trip is an important thing to manage. It's important when booking onward train journeys that you consider the following: Arrival time - whether you're flying in or out of the country or coming in via Train, factor in the possibility of delays and give yourself adequate time to make your connection. This normally means factoring upwards of an hour between key departures (eg. Eurostar) Connections Bus connections - If there's not a train station in resort, when do the buses leave for resort from your final station? Taxi connections - How long and how much is it to get a taxi to bridge that final gap if there's no matching bus times? Don't be afraid to consider stop overs and splitting up your travel: Get that cheap late night flight and stay over to start your train journey early Get a late Eurostar, stopover in Paris, start again Consider overnight trains across Europe Pricing Much like plane fares, a lot of networks have dynamic pricing (except Snowclans one true love, Austria, see below) and unless you're super early to book, when sometimes there's only expensive flexible tickets on sale, the earlier you secure a spot, the cheaper it is. International fares are not going to strike you as cheap vs. the budget airline £20 deals you can sometimes see, but do not forget to factor in the luggage fees, transfers to and from the airport and time spent checking in and waiting in your calculations. We'll cover price range in our individual resort & route articles in the rest of the blog. PRICE TIPS Austrian train transfers to ski resorts If there wasn't 100s of other reasons to love Austria for a solo ski holiday, it's that their train fares are standardized and absolutely dirt cheap. Once you reach the key transit hubs of Innsbruck or Salzburg, you're going to pay no more than £18 one way, or £42 first class to get yourself to a variety of ski resorts across Tyrol or Salzburgerland. Add on a short and cheap bus journey and you'll have access to even more. For end to end planning of your route on public transport in Austria, use the VVT app for Tyrol or the OBB app for Eastern Austria. Ouigo - France These are very useful for connections to the Alps from Paris or Lille. Hight speed long distance trains across France to Lyon, you can then change and connect to a wide range of resorts. A bit like the Ryanair of trainlines, these are cheap and low frills trains that have no catering options, no classes and luggage restrictions (but additional can be bought for a reasonable small upgrade) as can power plugs. What are the key rail hubs for ski holidays in Europe? There's 100s of train stations serving ski resorts across Europe, we wont bore you with them all in this article. Watch out for our area & route guides as we release them. Sign up here today and get the advice straight to your inbox, and follow on socials for bite size chunks of advice in your feed.

+ Do they have music festivals suitable for solo skiers? Can't wait for summer music festivals? Winter festivals vary in their degree of intensity and duration, but you're not lacking choice if you prefer to catch some winter sun and do a few runs between sets rather than sit on a dusty patch of grass with the smell of porta loos and a warm Koppaburg. Dance, House and Electronic are the biggest genres, but there's a bit of rock, Jazz and classical thrown in if you're so inclined. Want a festival experience and ski holiday rolled into one? Sometimes the local band in a tiny après bar wont cut it or maybe you've had enough of watching those with potentially too much money waste a perfectly good bottle of champagne sloshing it about in VIP section of the Folie whilst you dance. You don't have to commit to a full week of partying - choose a day ticket at some events to get a taste of the action. What about if you've got no one to go with? Individual festival tickets are always available, obviously. Solo skiers who want a party atmosphere need not miss out, some of the big names have the opportunity to share accommodation to meet fellow solos and facebook groups to chat beforehand to find new mates who are just as keen on ski and beats as you. Without further delay, here's the list of the biggest winter music festivals in Europe: Rock the pistes Portes du soleil, France 12th - 18th March 2023 Rock Passes are still available in combination with Ski passes - You wont find any huge international names like at the big summer festivals mind you. Accommodation options through the official Les Gets or Chatel websites, but no shared options. This is a far less all encompassing festival than the rest, so shouldn't cause huge crowds, and with it's isolation to one venue per day, it wont interrupt your apres if Rock isn't your genre of choice. Can you go to Rock the Pistes Solo? Sure! but there's no official organisation for solos A much less intense (1 concert a day) festival than some others, this is an easy way to compliment your holiday in the Portes du Soleil. Access from anywhere on the ski area: Les Gets, Chalets, Morzine, Avoriaz etc. Snowboxx Avoriaz, France 18th - 25th March 2023 Dance / Electronic / Techno / D&B One of the OG huge festivals, this is a fully racked up week of gigs and entertainment that takes over Avoriaz. The line ups are world class acts, across 3 venues, including a Foreverland Forest Rave and even more in Downtown bars. Can you go to Snowboxx solo? Yes - They have shared accommodation options or hotel rooms but they're all sold out for 2023. Check back in July for 2024 opening prices. There's still Ski pass + Festival ticket combos to be had. There's a Facebook group to chat to other people, but no official organisation. Tomorrowland winter Alpe d'Huez, France 18th -25th March 2023 Dance / Electronic / Techno 7 days with 100+ artists, this is a work of art in itself Taking over several key apres spots and pop up stages across the Alpe d'Huez area this can turn out to be a pretty immersive experience. Can you go to Tomorrowland Winter solo? Accommodation options are gone, only Tuesday passes remain (at time of publishing) for 2023 so you'll have to build your own holiday around this if you want to attend. No Facebook group or official plans for Solos. Hibernation festival Pas de la casa, Andorra 17th -19th March 2023 Dance / Electronic / Techno A weekend festival for those of you who can't last the whole week of partying or want a quick getaway. Festival and ski pass combo tickets are still left for 2023 Can you go to Hibernation Festival Solo? It's a good amount of time to go solo for a quick break, but again there's no official organisation for Solos. Accommodation discounts available via the festival website, but you'll still be paying single supplements. A great way to start or end a week skiing the 200km+ Grandvalira area We recommend Mountain Hostel Tarter for a social accommodation option - Although you'll be staying in the same ski area, you'll be in a different resort so will have to rely on bus/ taxi's for evening shows. Hostel is in El Tarter and shows are in Pas de la Casa check it out here Zermatt Unplugged 11 Apr – 15 Apr 2023 Acoustic (Check out the line up, it spans genres such as jazz, guitar, folk, pop) A more 'grown up' festival if you will - The focus is on Acoustic music Over 120 concerts during 5 days are taking place on 16 different stages, spread across the Village and Mountain. International top artists such as Jessie J, Passenger, James Morrison, Nelly Furtado, Simple Minds, Alanis Morissette, Billy Idol and Lionel Richie, line up against a multinational selection of numerous newcomers which guarantee extraordinary acoustic shows. Can you go to Zermatt Unplugged Solo? No official catering to solos here either, but there's so much going on and so many venues, you'll never feel alone. BONUS train transfers direct to Zermatt from Geneva mean no long buses or expensive taxis Snowbombing Mayrhofen, Austria Apr 10, 2023 - Sat, Apr 15, 2023 Dance / Electronic / Techno One of the more intense festivals, you've really got to commit to Snowbombing - Tickets are only sold as week long bundles with accommodation included, no day tickets available. Pick from a variety of add ons to manage your trip all in one place, with things like flights, ski lessons, transfers and even a Road trip from the UK planned. When you get there, there's also plenty of things to get involved with such a mountain top brunches, comedy gigs and much more. Accommodation options as part of a package are selling out for Solos, so get in quick for 2023 Bear in mind for 2024 - there are dorm rooms and good value single rooms if you get in quick, where you're more likely to meet solos. For now, join the facebook group to get chatting to people https://www.facebook.com/groups/1478466685498310/ 23/24 season Already thinking ahead? Ski music festivals for 2023/24 season are already being announced. Get in quick for solo options which sell out quickly. Rise Les deux Alpes, France 9th - 16th December 2023 Dance / Electronic / Techno Accommodation options as part of a package are selling out for Solos, if you miss out we recommend grabbing a space in The people Hostel So you're liking the sounds of one of these festivals but you've got no one to go with? Join us! Snowclans are THE solo ski people Sign up and join the community, post an advert and get involved. Credit to official festival sources for the media

So you want to go on a ski and snowboard holiday but you've not got the skills or the opportunity to go with friends and family? No problem. You're not alone! What are your options? Specific beginners solo ski holidays These are a rare few weeks a season Check out our full listings of solo holidays and filter on beginners to see what's remaining for the season Our suggestions HOFNAR Solos Chalets - Beginner and Improvers weeks Fully inclusive week all organised for you with group lessons, hire, accommodation and fully catered. You'll be surrounded by people at your level so you can cruise along outside with a new group of friends. Find more information here General Solo Ski Holidays There's a fair few brands who host organised solo's weeks that are open to everyone, beginners and experts alike. These are an opportunity to socialise with other solo travelers, whilst you can't guarantee anyone will be an absolute beginner like you, it's a great convivial atmosphere especially in the evenings when everyone comes together for afternoon tea and dinner. Even if there isn't a fellow newbie, you'll find a lot of these people are more than happy to do some runs with you at your pace, as everyones there to seek out the positive social benefits of a group holiday. Why not spend the mornings in a group ski lesson? These often have other solo's that you can get to know, have lunch with and maybe even ski with them or their group in the afternoons. Want a more personal approach? Find a private ski instructor, they're a short cut to great skills and a buddy all in one. We recommend Maison Sport, who operate across resorts in the alps. There's plenty more options for generalist solo weeks across the season, browse our collection of solo holidays via the button below. Build your own Solo Ski holiday There's no need to rely on organised group holidays, even if you are a beginner. Building your own ski holiday gives you the flexibility to go when and where you want and tailor the accommodation and food options to your needs and budget. But what do I need? Where do I go? How will I meet people? You're in luck, Snowclans are THE Solo Ski people We have plenty of resources on our site to guide you through building your own ski holiday from scratch, and our social media is a constant stream of new deals, tips and insight for ski holidays. Things like: Find a shared chalet for a social atmosphere Go to a resort that's well connected with trains & buses or shared transfer options Sign up to our solo community and find new ski buddies Join a ski school wherever you go for social group lessons We can't give you all the information in this one blog post unfortunately, but why not... Browse the blog for more helpful articles on building a holiday Sign up to get updates on new holidays and deals Follow us on social media to learn & be inspired to take your next ski holiday We really hope we've given you some inspiration to take the leap and book a solo ski trip, we promise you won't regret it. All the best Snowclans HQ

The Easter school holidays take up a solid 2 weeks of the late ski season. This year falling across the first 2 weeks of April. Of course, some of us can't avoid these dates through necessity. Solo skiers self building their holiday can travel off peak (aka. not Saturday or Sunday) for some smoother sailing, of all the times, it will be quicker if you can find a train connection to resort. As with all peak weeks, accommodation is going to be slim pickings due to families booking seasons in advance, especially the closer to the time you're going to look. Accommodation options that often don't attract kids is a good bet. Especially for solos this includes Hostels. Don't be put off by backpackers hostels of old, there's plenty of amazing options in mountain towns that have been upgraded to fit the nomad generation. Late season also means many fewer areas that will have optimal snow conditions as well as be open. You want to aim high, a sure bet are resorts with Glaciers. Zermatt The swiss maintain a tip-top range of Hostels, one of which is in the 365 day a year ski resort that is Zermatt. If there's one thing you can expect from the Swiss it's efficiency, cleanliness and good service. Check availability at Zermatt youth hostel Other great options are Peaky riders hotel Hotel Alpina Geneva to Zermatt is but a train ride away Find more late season ski tips on the blog soon Sign up to the site & socials and get notified when we publish new advice. Snowclans is built for the solo skier but relevant to everyone #youneverridealone Getting you out to the slopes as much as possible by delivering you value hacks.

For those planning a getaway - Half term isn't just a week!⁠ Across the EU it spreads out over 3 weeks at least, with 1 being the worst culprit of them all as a lot of big countries overlap.⁠ ⁠ Plan your February ski holidays carefully, whilst you may have got yourself a last minute bargain, be aware of the business of resorts. If you can, try to avoid resorts marketed towards families and the well known ones in general, you're more likely to avoid the crowds. Secondly, leave LOTS of time to get through the airport and for your transfers to and from resorts, there's going to be a lot of traffic. Perhaps a great time to consider a train transfer if you can get the tickets? Check out the routes on Omio.