Experience of Eurostar?

Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer before it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike

As far as i know Eurostar never offer any reduction in prices on their
Ski Train services. Prices are much more likely to increase as the
cheap fares will be gone. Some tour operators may however have seats to
dump at the last minute. If it's the week of 31/03 you are talking
about - suggest you book fast this will be mega busy for the UK.

MPW wrote:
Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer before it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike

In message , MPW
writes
Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer before it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike


You get 8 days' skiing out of a week's holiday which makes the higher
price economic.

There are two versions: a straight-through train from Waterloo to
Moutiers/Bourg where you sleep in your seat, or you can change at Gare
du Nord and go the rest of the way by sleeper (basic, but you get to lie
down properly and you get a proper dinner in Paris - we recommend the
Brasserie du Nord.)

There are also two ways to book: through a tour operator is normally
cheaper, they might discount later in the season if their allocation
hasn't sold out by then.
More often your TO's run out of train places and you book direct with
Rail Europe: they don't discount, and their part of the sleeper train
may not be full.

Since you've chosen your dates and resort you may as well book now.

--
Sue ]

Many thanks to both of you for speedy replies/advice; I've gone for it.
Apparently the last 4 seats at the low price! Cheers, Mike


"MadCow" wrote in message
...
In message , MPW
writes
Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer before
it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike


You get 8 days' skiing out of a week's holiday which makes the higher
price economic.

There are two versions: a straight-through train from Waterloo to
Moutiers/Bourg where you sleep in your seat, or you can change at Gare du
Nord and go the rest of the way by sleeper (basic, but you get to lie down
properly and you get a proper dinner in Paris - we recommend the Brasserie
du Nord.)

There are also two ways to book: through a tour operator is normally
cheaper, they might discount later in the season if their allocation
hasn't sold out by then.
More often your TO's run out of train places and you book direct with Rail
Europe: they don't discount, and their part of the sleeper train may not
be full.

Since you've chosen your dates and resort you may as well book now.

--
Sue ]

In message , MPW
writes
Many thanks to both of you for speedy replies/advice; I've gone for it.
Apparently the last 4 seats at the low price! Cheers, Mike


sigh No chance of our lot making their mind up for at least another
couple of months!

--
Sue ];(

On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 18:38:21 +0100, "MPW"
wrote:

Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer before it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike




I've used the Saturday "day" service three times now and will be doing
so again the first week of the Easter hols.

Comfortable trip avoiding the hassles of airports and coach transfers.
I usually have TVT pick me up at Moutiers and it's a quick ride up the
hill to Courchevel.

Best part is the section up from Albertville when you see the road
traffic at a standstill.

Remember, it's supposed to be a holiday your going on so get a ticket
now and avoid the airport hassles.

Stan

MPW wrote:
Many thanks to both of you for speedy replies/advice; I've gone for it.
Apparently the last 4 seats at the low price! Cheers, Mike



Sounds like I'm just too late to say this, but I would add that if you
live somewhere convenient for Waterloo or Ashford, it's a good choice.
Takes a little longer than plane/coach or car, but so much more
relaxing.

If you can afford it, go first class. The price difference isn't that
big, but it's much more comfortable, less crowded, fewer screaming
children (unless you've got screaming children of your own) and they
feed you.


"MadCow" wrote in message
...
In message , MPW
writes
Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer before
it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike


You get 8 days' skiing out of a week's holiday which makes the higher
price economic.

There are two versions: a straight-through train from Waterloo to
Moutiers/Bourg where you sleep in your seat, or you can change at Gare du
Nord and go the rest of the way by sleeper (basic, but you get to lie down
properly and you get a proper dinner in Paris - we recommend the Brasserie
du Nord.)

There are also two ways to book: through a tour operator is normally
cheaper, they might discount later in the season if their allocation
hasn't sold out by then.
More often your TO's run out of train places and you book direct with Rail
Europe: they don't discount, and their part of the sleeper train may not
be full.

Since you've chosen your dates and resort you may as well book now.

--
Sue ]

"MadCow" wrote in message
...
In message , MPW
writes
Hi, anyone here travelled by Eurostar? Do they do reductions to the
Alps
(Moutiers) later in the season, or should I grab what's on offer
before
it's
too late? Skiing Les Meneurs first week of Easter. Cheers, Mike



...snip loads of advice

I looked at overnight Eurostar and was a bit concerned about the arrival
time in Moutier. IIRC it was about 5.30 in the morning (4.30 am GMT). This
just seems like a nightmare to me - you probably won't have any
accommodation available so after getting to the resort - only 30 minutes -
you got to kill time until 9am earliest when you should be able to park your
luggage, change and ski. I'd be very interested to hear any comments from
people who have used this service.

Cheers

--
Paul Schofield

On Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:52:53 +0100, "Paul Schofield"
paul_AT_sonifex_DOT_co_DOT_uk wrote:

I looked at overnight Eurostar and was a bit concerned about the arrival
time in Moutier. IIRC it was about 5.30 in the morning (4.30 am GMT). This
just seems like a nightmare to me - you probably won't have any
accommodation available so after getting to the resort - only 30 minutes -
you got to kill time until 9am earliest when you should be able to park your
luggage, change and ski. I'd be very interested to hear any comments from
people who have used this service.

Not used it myself, but have met folks off the overnight service a
couple of times at Bourg and Aime. But I guess the timings must have
changed, as I recall it being around 7-8 am both times, which allowed
for a leisurely breakfast before hitting the slopes at lift opening
time. Of course, this would depend on having somewhere to change and
park your kit (we were in the car, of course), but it can work well.

Just checked and you're right - it's an 0537 arrival at Moutiers, 0605
at Aime and 0627 at Bourg. So your point is valid.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.

Ace wrote:

On Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:52:53 +0100, "Paul Schofield"
paul_AT_sonifex_DOT_co_DOT_uk wrote:

I looked at overnight Eurostar and was a bit concerned about the arrival
time in Moutier. IIRC it was about 5.30 in the morning (4.30 am GMT). This
just seems like a nightmare to me - you probably won't have any
accommodation available so after getting to the resort - only 30 minutes -
you got to kill time until 9am earliest when you should be able to park your
luggage, change and ski. I'd be very interested to hear any comments from
people who have used this service.

Not used it myself, but have met folks off the overnight service a
couple of times at Bourg and Aime. But I guess the timings must have
changed, as I recall it being around 7-8 am both times, which allowed
for a leisurely breakfast before hitting the slopes at lift opening
time. Of course, this would depend on having somewhere to change and
park your kit (we were in the car, of course), but it can work well.

Just checked and you're right - it's an 0537 arrival at Moutiers, 0605
at Aime and 0627 at Bourg. So your point is valid.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.

We met some friends off the overnight Eurostar in Bourg at 6.30/7ish
last season. They were in economy and hated it. No beds = little sleep
and they had the usual problems with people snoring. They said if they
were absolutely forced to do it again they'd make sure they got blind
drunk so as to pass out. Day service (particularly first class as
mentioned previously) or mid-week overnight couchette (Eurostar to
Paris, Metro to Austerlitz, direct from there to Bourg - get's you in
about 7am) were all rated much more acceptable by other friends.

If you're going with a tour operator or catered chalet rather than
self-catering flat or something, then they're usually geared up to have
an early morning clash with train people. I've been staying at a place
where 6 people pitched up at 7am - the chalet staff gave them a room to
put their luggage in, fed them breakfast, took them up to the ski hire
shop, sorted their passes out. They didn't have their 'own' rooms until
3pm, but it didn't matter. I guess you should check with your
accomodation provider as to what they'll do in the situation.

Cheers,

Matt