New, independent website snowcarbon wants to encourage European train travel to ski resorts.  The site explains how travelers can book rail journeys, get the best fares and which resorts are easiest to reach by train.

snowcarbon was founded by ski writer Daniel Elkan and travel journalist Mark Hodson, founder of www.101holidays.co.uk.  It includes 30 resorts across Europe, from Andorra to Austria, including France, Italy and Switzerland, all of which can be conveniently reached by train.

Among the site’s features are:

• independent resort reviews by leading ski journalists.

• a Resort Finder.

• email alerts on the day that lowest fares are available for their journey.

• information on how to change trains in Paris.

• pre-booking of private taxis that meet you on the platform.

• a guide on how to get the lowest fares (from £99 return).

• details about on-board restaurant dining.

• a guide to UK tour operators that feature rail-inclusive packages and give non-flight discounts.

• information for booking accommodation independently.

Says snowcarbon:

“The site aims to encourage skiers and snowboarders to abandon increasingly expensive and stressful journeys by air in favor of far more enjoyable, low-carbon journeys by train. The environmental benefits are huge: the carbon footprint of a trip by plane to a ski resort is typically 8-10 times greater than the equivalent rail journey.

Traveling by train from the UK to European ski resorts is comfortable and stress-free. Couples, groups and families love the space and freedom on board, and children under four travel free. With lakes and mountains, the scenery is spectacular and by traveling overnight in couchette accommodation, skiers can get two extra days on the slopes.”

Many European ski resorts have mainline railway stations like  St Moritz in Switzerland, St Anton in Austria and Chamonix in France, says snowcarbon.  Others resorts can be reached directly via train from London including Tignes, Meribel and Courchevel.

For more info, visit snowcarbon online.

Image courtesy of snowcarbon