Eurostar Ski Train - booking opens 31st July

The daytime and the overnight Eurostar Ski Train to the French Alps will go on sale at 6:30am (online) and at 8am (by phone) on Thursday 31st July 2014.

All dates for the winter season will then be on sale. There is a daytime and and overnight service each week of the season.

The fastest-selling date is normally Feb half term, followed by New Year, Christmas and then Easter.

Here are the dates and times.

Outbound journey - daytime

• The first daytime outbound departure from London to the Alps is on Saturday 20th December 2014
• The last daytime outbound departure from London to the Alps is on Saturday 4th April 2015

Inbound journey - daytime

• The first daytime inbound departure from the Alps to London is on Saturday 27th December 2014
• The last daytime inbound departure from the Alps to London is on Saturday 11th April 2015

Outbound journey - overnight

• The first overnight outbound departure from London to the Alps is on Friday 19th December 2014
• The last overnight outbound departure from London to the Alps is on Friday 3rd April 2015

Inbound journey - overnight

• The first overnight inbound departure from the Alps to London is on Saturday 27th December 2014
• The last overnight inbound departure from the Alps to London is on Saturday 11th April 2015

The 'lead in' fare for the Eurostar Ski Train is £149 return per adult - i.e. that's the cheapest it can be. However the reality is that on peak dates, even if you book as soon as the train goes on sale, you are unlikely to get that price. This is our guess at realistic costs, once the train goes on sale.

Why there is so much fuss about this train?  Here's the from snowboarder Ray, whom we met randomly on a chairlift.  A clear case of cynic to convert:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g97wFojGgKY