Home/Best Of/Best Ski Resorts by Train from London

Best of list

Best Ski Resorts by Train from London

Les Arcs is the best ski resort to reach by train from London for 2026, because the rail line runs to Bourg Saint Maurice at the foot of the mountain and a funicular climbs straight from the station into the resort, so you can step off the train and almost ski. The French Alps are the easiest snow to reach by rail from London, with direct seasonal services and fast onward trains to the Tarentaise valley. Below we rank the ten resorts we would actually book for a train trip, organized by how little road transfer is left at the end, with an honest verdict on each. As a snowboarder who hates lugging a board bag through airports, I rate the train trip highly, and I have noted where the final transfer still bites.

How we ranked them

The rail head first, then the transfer that is left

A train trip is judged on the journey, not just the resort. We rank on how close the railway gets you, how short and simple the final transfer is, and whether the resort is worth the slower travel. The pattern from London is consistent: a fast train to Paris or Lille, an onward service to a Tarentaise rail head like Bourg Saint Maurice, Aime or Moutiers, then a transfer up to the snow. We have done these journeys with skis, boards and tired legs. There is one deliberate contrarian pick for travelers willing to ride the rails all the way into Switzerland for a fully car free arrival.

Snowy mountain road and railway into the Alps

French Alps ski village reachable by train

Mont Blanc above an alpine resort town in winter

The ranking

The ten we would book by train

Les Arcs

Les Arcs is the best train resort because the line ends at Bourg Saint Maurice and a funicular railway climbs directly from the station into the resort, leaving almost no road transfer. For a car free arrival it is unbeatable from London. It tops the list purely on how little travel is left once the train stops.

It is excellent for snowboarders too, with the huge Paradiski area and a strong park, and the funicular means no fiddly bus with a board bag.

For: Train travelers who want to step off and almost ski.

Skip if: Anyone who needs a quaint old village at the base.

La Plagne

La Plagne shares the Paradiski area with Les Arcs and sits a short transfer above the Aime and Bourg Saint Maurice rail heads, giving families an enormous, gentle ski area with a manageable final leg. The road up is quick by Alpine standards.

It is very board friendly with rolling terrain and a glacier, ideal for mixed ability groups arriving by rail.

For: Families and groups who want huge terrain and an easy rail approach.

Skip if: Those wanting steep, expert focused terrain.

Val Thorens

Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe and the most snow sure on this list, reached by train to Moutiers and then a transfer up into the Three Valleys. The road leg is longer than the Paradiski options, but the snow security at the top makes it worth it.

It has a top class terrain park and wide cruising for riders, and the altitude means the journey rarely ends in slush.

For: Groups who want the highest, most snow sure resort by train.

Skip if: Anyone wanting the shortest possible transfer.

Meribel

Meribel sits in the heart of the Three Valleys and is reached by train to Moutiers and a moderate transfer up the valley, giving train travelers the classic catered chalet base with access to the largest linked area on earth. The transfer is straightforward.

It is board friendly with good central links, though its lower altitude means you watch the snow line in warm spells.

For: Groups who want chalet charm and the whole Three Valleys.

Skip if: Those needing high altitude snow security in a lean year.

Courchevel

Courchevel pairs the deepest luxury in the Alps with a sensible rail approach, reached by train to Moutiers and a transfer up to the resort levels. For travelers who want to arrive in style without flying, it is the most polished option here.

Snowboarders get the full Three Valleys parks, with a few flat links to manage between sectors.

For: Travelers who want high end skiing with a green conscience.

Skip if: Anyone on a tight budget.

Tignes

Tignes is a high, snow sure resort reached by train to Bourg Saint Maurice and a transfer up the valley, sharing the Espace Killy with Val d'Isere. The altitude gives one of the longest seasons in the Alps.

It is a rider favorite with high open terrain and a glacier park, and the rail head at Bourg keeps the final leg reasonable.

For: Riders who want snow sure terrain reached by rail.

Skip if: Those wanting a traditional, characterful village.

Val d'Isere

Val d'Isere is the most complete resort reachable by rail, with serious terrain, the best high French apres and snow sure slopes, reached by train to Bourg Saint Maurice and a transfer up. The final leg is longer than the Paradiski options but the resort rewards it.

Riders get wide high bowls and a strong park, with the rail approach sparing you the airport board bag hassle.

For: Strong skiers and riders who want a complete resort by train.

Skip if: Anyone wanting the shortest transfer or lowest price.

Chamonix

Chamonix is reachable by rail via the scenic Mont Blanc Express into the valley, delivering a real year round town beneath the highest peak in the Alps and some of the most dramatic terrain anywhere. It suits groups with non skiers as much as hardcore riders.

For experienced snowboarders the off piste is legendary, though much of it needs a guide and the valley involves some bus hopping between areas.

For: Mixed groups who want a real town reachable by mountain rail.

Skip if: Beginners, who will find the terrain demanding.

Morzine

Morzine is the most characterful Portes du Soleil base reachable by train, via the rail heads near Cluses or Thonon and a transfer up, giving access to one of the largest linked ski areas in the world across the French and Swiss border. The town has real charm.

It is very board friendly with a famously good park scene nearby at Avoriaz, though the lower altitude means snow can be variable.

For: Families who want a charming town and a vast linked area.

Skip if: Those needing high altitude snow security.

Zermatt

Zermatt is the contrarian choice for the purist train traveler, a fully car free village reached entirely by rail through Switzerland, where you change to a cog railway that carries you the final stretch into a resort with no cars at all. No other resort here offers such a seamless car free arrival.

It is board friendly across most terrain and the rail only access means your board bag travels with you the whole way, though the journey from London is the longest on this list.

For: Travelers who want a completely car free arrival and the best scenery.

Skip if: Anyone who wants the quickest journey from London.

At a glance

Train accessible resorts compared

Rank	Resort	Rail head	Final transfer	Budget band per person
1	Les Arcs	Bourg Saint Maurice	Funicular, minimal	$2,000 to $4,000
2	La Plagne	Aime or Bourg	Short road transfer	$2,000 to $4,000
3	Val Thorens	Moutiers	Roughly 90 minutes	$2,000 to $4,000
4	Meribel	Moutiers	Around an hour	$4,000 to $8,000
5	Courchevel	Moutiers	Around an hour	$8,000 plus
6	Tignes	Bourg Saint Maurice	Around an hour	$2,000 to $4,000
7	Val d'Isere	Bourg Saint Maurice	Around an hour	$4,000 to $8,000
8	Chamonix	Mont Blanc Express	Into the valley	$2,000 to $4,000
9	Morzine	Cluses or Thonon	Roughly an hour	$2,000 to $4,000
10	Zermatt	Cog railway via Visp	Rail all the way	$4,000 to $8,000

Planning the wider trip? Explore the Paradiski region around the best rail heads, the Trois Vallees above Moutiers, or our guide to ski transfers and how to get from the rail head to resort. You can also browse the full France destination guide.

Book the extras and save

Lift passes, airport transfers, lessons and gear hire are where a trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.

Compare lift passes Book a transfer Find lessons Reserve gear hire Travel insurance

Questions worth asking

Train to the Alps from London FAQs

What is the best ski resort to reach by train from London?

Les Arcs is the best ski resort to reach by train from London, because the railway ends at Bourg Saint Maurice and a funicular climbs directly into the resort, leaving almost no road transfer. La Plagne and Val Thorens are strong alternatives. The French Alps in general are the easiest snow to reach by rail from London.

How do you get to the Alps by train from London?

From London you take a fast train to Paris or Lille, then an onward service into the Tarentaise valley to a rail head such as Bourg Saint Maurice, Aime or Moutiers, and finally a short transfer up to the resort. Some seasonal services run more directly to the ski rail heads. The whole journey is comfortable and lets you travel with your skis or board.

Which Three Valleys resort is easiest by train?

Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel are all reached by train to Moutiers followed by a transfer up the valley, with Val Thorens the most snow sure and Meribel the most central. The transfer from Moutiers is straightforward and well served. For the shortest overall journey, the Paradiski resorts above Bourg Saint Maurice are quicker.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the train to the Alps?

Flying is often cheaper on the headline fare, but the train can be competitive once you add airport transfers, checked ski or board bags and the time cost, and it usually drops you closer to the snow. For groups carrying gear, the train frequently wins on convenience even when it costs a little more. We price both when we plan your trip.

Can you take skis and a snowboard on the train?

Yes. Skis and snowboards travel as standard luggage on the Alpine rail services, usually without the excess baggage fees airlines charge for board bags. This is one of the biggest practical advantages of the train for snowboarders. Just check the specific service's luggage rules when you book.

When is the best time for a train ski trip?

January to March offers the most reliable snow and the fullest schedule of Alpine rail services. Booking the train early secures the best fares and seats, especially around the February holidays. Late season trips to high resorts like Val Thorens and Tignes still ski well and often see cheaper rail fares.

Have it arranged

Tell us the dates. We plan the journey.

If you want one of these resorts and the rail journey priced by specialists, give us the dates, group size and budget below. Send one brief and our partner operators return tailored proposals covering rail, transfers, lift passes and lessons. No fee to you, ever.

Every brief is read by a real planner. You will hear back within two working days, in season.

Free and no obligation. Your brief goes to vetted operators only, never to advertisers.

By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed May 2026. We update rankings and prices each season.