Building on the success of its Paris–Bourg-Saint-Maurice route, Travelski, a subsidiary of the Compagnie des Alpes, has taken a major step forward in its carbon-neutral transport strategy. For the 2026–2027 winter season, the operator has announced the launch of a new international night service connecting the Netherlands and Belgium to the French mountains, whilst confirming that its long-standing route from the French capital will continue.
As Dominique Thillaud, Managing Director of the Compagnie des Alpes, points out, “End-to-end decarbonisation is possible… thanks to the night train service, with the two Travelski Night Express rail links to the French Alps”, an initiative that combines “environmental performance, the region’s appeal and visitor satisfaction ”.
A new rail link to the Alps in 2026–2027
From next winter, European skiers will be able to reach the Tarentaise “in a single journey”, according to Travelski’s promise. This new night service will serve Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels, before heading to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, the gateway to the major Alpine ski areas, with strategic stops at Moûtiers and Aime-la-Plagne.
Designed and operated by Pegasus Trains, this route will offer around 400 berths per journey, establishing a new transport corridor between northern Europe and the French Alps. For Nicolas Delord, Director of Travelfactory, this launch marks a decisive step: “the success of the Travelski Night Express confirms the massive appeal of carbon-free, stress-free travel”, and by expanding the service across Europe, the ambition is now clear:
“to make the night train the standard for sustainable and memorable travel through the Alps in Europe”.
Beyond capacity, it is the flow of passengers that is the key factor here: by connecting high-purchasing-power source markets directly to the resorts in the Tarentaise, Travelski is establishing a genuine European rail backbone, capable of attracting a customer base that currently remains largely dependent on air travel or private cars.
The continued success of the night train
The reason this expansion is possible today is that it is built on solid foundations. Launched last season, the Travelski Night Express Paris–Bourg-Saint-Maurice quickly found its audience, achieving an 85% occupancy rate at the height of the season and an impressive 95% punctuality rate, with just one delay recorded.
But beyond performance indicators, it is the qualitative satisfaction of customers that validates the model. The night train meets a key need: maximising the time spent at the destination. By travelling overnight, skiers gain two extra days at the resort, allowing them to enjoy eight full days of skiing. “This rail initiative, supported by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and the municipalities of Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Aime-La-Plagne, also allows travellers to enjoy eight days of skiing instead of six” explains Dominique Thillaud.
This time saving, combined with the absence of driving fatigue and a well-organised on-board experience (a warm welcome at the station, comfortable berths and a welcoming dining car), is redefining the perception of transport, which is now an integral part of the tourist experience itself.
In this context, Guillaume de Marcillac, co-founder of Pegasus Trains, emphasises the industrial logic behind the model: “rapidly providing additional rail capacity, tailored to seasonal tourist flows, by utilising refurbished existing rolling stock and ensuring operational efficiency”. This approach enables the company to effectively support the growing role of rail in the tourism sector.
New services for 2026–2027: towards a premium rail experience
To support this growth, Travelski and Pegasus Trains are significantly strengthening their value proposition across three key areas.
The first is environmental, with all routes now running on 100% electric power, in line with Compagnie des Alpes’ Scope 3 reduction commitments. This development is significant in a sector where transport alone accounts for nearly 80% of the carbon footprint of a skiing holiday.
The second focus is on comfort. Plans are being considered to upgrade the service, potentially introducing first-class sleeper carriages, accompanied by additional services such as mattress toppers or beds made up on arrival. The aim is clear: to bring the night train experience closer to hotel standards, in order to attract a discerning, international clientele.
Finally, the experiential aspect is enhanced by the dining car, designed as a genuine living space. With table seating and an expanded menu, it becomes a social space that extends the travel experience and helps set the product apart.
Bookings will open shortly
Bookings for both routes (Paris and Amsterdam) will open in the week of 20 April 2026, with a schedule of 15 return flights between mid-December and the end of March. The operating model remains tailored to the ski market: departures on Friday evenings and returns on Saturday evenings, allowing for the best use of a week’s holiday.
Distribution will be handled via both Travelski’s proprietary platforms and partner networks, reflecting a commitment to expanding sales across Europe.
The development of the Travelski Night Express is central to Compagnie des Alpes’ efforts to reduce its Scope 3 emissions – that is, indirect emissions linked in particular to customer travel, which account for the largest share of its carbon footprint. As Guillaume de Marcillac points out, Pegasus Trains is “proud to support Compagnie des Alpes in its strategy to decarbonise its customers’ transport”, with the stated ambition to “roll out European routes on a larger scale from next winter”.
Addressing Scope 3 emissions is becoming a key operational driver. By facilitating a large-scale shift towards rail travel, Compagnie des Alpes is directly tackling the main source of emissions within its tourism model, whilst preserving (and even enhancing) the customer experience. The night train, in particular, offers a particularly effective solution: it optimises journey times, reduces the carbon footprint and enhances the appeal of Alpine destinations to a European clientele that is increasingly sensitive to these issues.
By developing a coherent rail network across the continent, the Compagnie des Alpes is laying the foundations for a new standard of access to the mountains, where environmental performance is inextricably linked to the competitiveness of the tourism sector. In the medium term, this approach could significantly accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable Alpine model, in line with current regulatory and societal requirements.
