Today, Saturday, 16 December marks the start of this winter season’s high-speed rail services by Eurostar of its Eurostar Snow service from London to the French Alps which operates until 4 February 2024.

Travelling by rail offers an eco-alternative to flying to the ski slopes, with its popularity being proved by sustainably savvy travellers booking over half of the available tickets being sold within their first week of sale, and over 4,000 travellers set to use the service via Lille this winter. The Eurostar Snow service runs from London St Pancras International and via a connection at Lille Europe operates to  Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-Les-Bains, Aime-la-Plagne, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

During the three weeks from Friday, 15 December 2023 to Sunday, 7 January 2024, over 600,000 passengers are expected to travel on Eurostar from London, with up to 35,000 passengers on the busiest days leading up to the New Year, such as Boxing Day and 29 December.

To help Eurostar passengers relax while they wait for their trains, passengers leaving London who want to get further into the Christmas spirit can enjoy listening to carol singers throughout the month or even visit Santa at the St Pancras Grotto.

For anyone who is in need of inspiration for a last-minute Christmas gift, Eurostar has gift vouchers for travel on its high-speed train services in an range of prices from £25 to £500 that can be purchased at https://vouchers.eurostar.com/.

Eurostar’s Chief Commercial Officer, Francois Le Doze: “Our station teams look forward to welcoming travellers as they set off for the Alps and the festive season. We’re proud to see the first Eurostar Snow service leave St Pancras and to offer a sustainable travel option to the slopes via Lille. Travellers departing from London St Pancras this winter may also be treated to a sneak-peak of Santa as his visits the station during the Christmas holidays.”