10 of the best ski resorts you can get to by train

How to get there: depart London St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar ski train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, arriving at 7.03pm. From there it’s seven minutes by funicular railway to Arc 1600, with a connecting bus linking the other villages.

Söll, Austria

Part of the huge SkiWelt, with 284km of ski runs, Söll is a vibrant village with bundles of Tirolean charm. The SkiWelt has 77 mountain restaurants and après-ski bars in total, with one of the most memorable places to eat being the Gipfelalm Hohe Salve restaurant — it has a terrace that rotates 360 degrees.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 3.04pm Eurostar to Brussels, arriving at 6.05pm. Catch the 6.25pm ICE from Brussels to Cologne, arriving 8.15pm; get on the 9.21pm NightJet sleeper train to Wörgl, arriving 8.36am next morning. From there it’s 20 minutes by bus or taxi.

Les Contamines, France

This well-kept secret has a small, friendly village and some magnificent slopes that remain blissfully quiet, even at peak dates such as February half-term. The scenery here is stunning: on one side there’s an unparalleled view of Mont Blanc; on the other, the Hauteluce valley.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 7.55am Eurostar to Paris. From Gare du Nord, take the RER D express to Gare de Lyon, to catch the 12.11pm TGV, changing at Bellegarde to arrive at Saint Gervais at 4.56pm. From there it’s 15 minutes by bus or taxi.

Sauze d’Oulx, Italy

Part of the 400km Milky Way ski area, Sauze d’Oulx has extensive intermediate terrain; when the snow falls the powder fields between the trees really come into their own. The atmosphere in the village is lively and the old centre, with its narrow, cobbled streets, is a great place for a stroll.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 9.24am Eurostar to Paris, change station by taxi and take the 2.41pm TGV from Gare de Lyon to Oulx, arriving at 7.23pm. From there it’s 15 minutes by bus or taxi.

Val Thorens, France

At an altitude of 2,300m, the compact village of Val Thorens is the highest in the Alps, and thus one of the most snow-sure. Part of the huge Three Valleys ski area, it has terrain that will delight mile-hungry intermediates and experts alike, plus there are also good beginner slopes just below the village.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar ski train, arriving at Moûtiers at 6.15pm. From there it’s around 55 minutes by bus or taxi.

St Anton, Austria

The recent creation of the Arlberg gondola, linking this renowned resort with neighbouring Zurs and Lech, means there are now 305km of interconnected pistes to explore. St Anton itself is a buzzing resort that’s the self-proclaimed birthplace of skiing, but it never takes itself too seriously.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 6.01pm Eurostar to Paris. Stay overnight and take the 7.23am TGV from Gare de Lyon, changing in Zurich to the 12.40pm RailJet, which arrives in St Anton at 3.03pm.

La Plagne, France

The abundance of terrain suiting early intermediates means that La Plagne is a huge draw for families. However, skiers who like steep slopes and powder runs will also find plenty to delight them in a resort that is part of the 425km Paradiski area, linked with Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar ski train, arriving at Aime la Plagne at 6.34pm. From there it’s 25 to 45 minutes by bus or taxi.

Val Cenis, France

Located in the beautiful Maurienne valley, Val Cenis is a family-friendly ski resort that many British skiers haven’t heard of but which French families adore. The spectacular scenery, overlooking the Lac du Mont-Cenis, and the 130km of snow-sure slopes, make this an attractive place to ski — and a good place to learn.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 9.24am Eurostar to Paris, change station and take the 2.41pm TGV from Gare de Lyon to Modane, arriving at 6.47pm. From there it’s a 30-minute bus or taxi ride to the village.

Tignes, France

Tignes’ high altitude makes it a good choice for early and late season, when the 300km of snow-sure slopes it shares with Val d’Isère are quieter. There are plenty of interesting non-ski activities too, including ice diving, ice climbing and snowtubing.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 9.45am Eurostar ski train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, arriving at 7.03pm. From there it’s a 40-minute taxi or bus ride.

Serre Chevalier, France

In the southern Alps, Serre Chevalier has 250km of slopes shared between four villages. An impressive 80 per cent of terrain is above 2,000m, and the resort is blessed with tree-lined slopes, even at high altitude — a huge advantage if the weather is cloudy.

How to get there: depart St Pancras on the 9.24am Eurostar to Paris, change station by taxi and take the 2.41pm TGV from Paris-Lyon to Oulx, arriving at 7.23pm. From there it’s 45 minutes by bus or taxi.