The Snow Train will not run throughout winter 2010 – 2011. Rail Europe, which had operated the train for the past 20 years, blamed the decision on “economic uncertainty”.
The Snowtrain, with its notorious "disco carriage", had become an integral part of the ski scene. Hopefully, it will be back soon. In the meantime, the good news is that there are many alternative trains to European ski resorts.
Snow Train alternatives
If you are heading for the same Tarantaise resorts previously served by the Snow Train, including Tignes, Val Thorens, Les Menuires and Meribel, you can take the Eurostar Direct Ski Train. It runs non-stop from London and Ashford, with both daytime and overnight services. The overnight train has reclining seats rather than couchette accommodation.
If you'd rather travel overnight in comofrt, you can take the Corail Lunea sleeper train, which has comfortable couchettes - and no disco carriage. It allows you to get a good night's sleep and arrive in time to hit the slopes next morning.
Without the Snow Train, many overnight journeys involve a change of stations in Paris. However, this is easy to navigate by Metro, RER, taxi or even on foot. For full details on how to do it, see our guide to changing trains in Paris.
While the Snowtrain served only the Tarantaise area, overnight Corail Lunea trains from Paris can be taken to resorts in other parts of the French Alps such as Serre Chevalier, Chamonix, Megève, St Gervais and Montgenèvre. It will also get you as far as Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, etc) in Andorra.
Trains to Austria
If you fancy Austria by overnight train, there are yet more options. The City Night Line from Paris is a fantastic experience, with a full restaurant on board.
The Bergland Trein is the Dutch equivalent of the snow train, and has its own soundproof disco bar – though whether it can match the all-night party of the Snow Train’s disco is another question. When we tried it, it was definitely more bar than club.
Find out more about train options.