I’ve just enjoyed a fantastic week of skiing in Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne, staying in a ski chalet with a group of 24 friends. We made the journey from London by Eurostar, meeting up at St Pancras at around 8am, enjoying a leisurely breakfast before setting off to Paris, where we changed to a TGV, which took us to the mountains.

The year before we had booked a direct train, so we initially had some reservations with this journey plan, but in the event the trip through Paris added a little interest to the day, and gave us the opportunity to mingle more with other members of our party. With the bubbly flowing freely on both legs of the journey, time passed very easily, and it was also great to disembark at the small station at Landry, avoiding the crowds where the train terminated at Bourg St Maurice. We were happily installed in the chalet by 6pm.

The skiing itself was fabulous, with lots of fresh snow falling in the first few days, and glorious sunshine in the latter part of the week. The biggest challenge, if anything, was logistics. La Plagne is connected to the resort of Les Arcs by the large Vanoise express lift, providing a huge area to explore, but it did mean that we had to plan ahead if we wanted to meet up for lunch. Being transported to the slopes by van, we also had to commit to certain groups and times before setting off, but we could at least leave our skis and boots in a heated store room at the base of the first lift, so we didn’t need to do much carrying of heavy ski stuff, and everything was dry by the next morning.

The chalet itself was perfect for us, with a well-used hot tub and a large lounge area, which was great for partying, playing games or just relaxing with a glass or two of wine.

It was on the journey home that the train option really came into its own for those of us who were somewhat hung-over after a big last night: a 7 minute drive to the station followed by a snooze on the train was a welcome alternative to negotiating security and check-in queues at the airport.

I’m hoping to be back on the train again next year.