Some things about the Ski Train (2018-19)

The Ski Train for 2018-19 has been on sale for a couple of weeks now.  It is enduringly popular, but here are some useful things to know:

1. Feb half term has sold out.  Really, Eurostar could run two or three trains on this date and probably still sell out.

2. Prices this year were higher, certainly for half-term.  A few years ago you used to be able to get an adult return ticket at half-term for £400.  This year many people reported prices of about £550.

3. At half term the Eurostar Ski Train doesn't call at Ashford - not on the outbound nor the inbound.  I asked Eurostar about this, and a Eurostar spokesperson tod me: "This is due to engineering works at Ashford International, arranged by HS1 / Network Rail who are the infrastructure providers. We work closely with the infrastructure providers who always aim to keep disruption from any engineering works to a minimum."

3. Outside of half term and peak periods, prices for the Eurostar Ski Train are much lower.  I don't know how they compare to previous years.

4. You can only buy a return ticket.  Buying a single ticket isn't allowed.

5. A good alternative to the Eurostar Ski Train, when it is sold out, to travel on a Eurostar to Paris, and then a TGV to the Alps from there. You have to change from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, but by taxi this is easy.