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Winter is coming, the mountain peaks are turning white, and with them comes the big question: how can you get to the slopes without spending hours stuck in traffic in the valley, checking to see if you have snow chains in the trunk? Good news: getting to the mountains by train is possible—and often much easier than you might think. Take the TGV to the entrance of the valleys, a night train that drops you off in the Southern Alps, and then local mountain rail lines and regional buses for the final few kilometers.
We took a close look at the favorite accommodations of our partner's travelers GreenGo this winter, and we've kept only the ones you can actually reach without a car. For each one, we'll tell you the train station, the connection, and how to get the last kilometer. No empty promises: if you need to take a bus after the train, we'll let you know.
Yes, you can go skiing without a car! Some of the easiest ways to get there include: the Modane train station in Maurienne, served by direct TGVs from Paris; the Landry station in Tarentaise, with direct TGVs on certain winter weekends; and the Paris-Briançon overnight train for the Southern Alps. Elsewhere, a regional bus takes over from the train station: to Mont-Dore from Clermont-Ferrand, and to Vercors from Grenoble. And some hosts will even pick you up at the station!
In the Northern Alps, the Maurienne is one of the most easily accessible valleys: Modane Station is served by direct TGV trains from Paris. For the Southern Alps, the Paris-Briançon overnight train departs from Austerlitz Station year-round and stops, among other places, at Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre, the gateway to the Queyras.
For gentler mountain ranges like the Jura, the Vercors, or the Sancy, TER trains and regional buses handle the transportation. And in the Pyrenees, the Montréjeau-Luchon line reopened in June 2025, after being closed for more than ten years, with a direct train from Toulouse on certain schedules.
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Skiing by train: 20 resorts accessible without a car this winter
That's often where everything comes down to. There are several options:
A good tip: Before booking, check the bus schedule along with the train schedule. And don't hesitate to ask your host if he or she can pick you up!
In Val Cenis, in the Haute-Maurienne region, the resort rewards skiers who travel by train with a €20 credit toward their next lift ticket.
Want to glide through the forests of the Vercors? Head to Autrans-Méaudre, the ultimate destination for Nordic skiing: this is where the Nordic events of the 1968 Grenoble Olympic Games were held. The Les Rondins des Bulles Cabins are halfway between the village and the trailhead. And your host is none other than a Nordic ski instructor and coach: it would be hard to find a better guide for your first steps in skating or your snowshoe hikes.
The Chalet les Rondins des Bulles, in the Vercors - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to Grenoble, then a regional bus (lines T64, T65, or T66) from the bus station; the trip takes about 1 hour.
About 20 kilometers from Chambéry, the resort of La Féclaz has earned a nickname that says it all: “Little Canada.” Vast snow-covered expanses, forests, and a large cross-country skiing area—Savoie Grand Revard. Our favorite spot? The Les Étoiles Chalet, an all-wood cabin for 4 people, located in the town of Les Déserts, home to the resort. It’s one of the favorite accommodations among GreenGo travelers.
Le Chalet des Étoiles - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? The biggest perk of the chalet: the host can pick you up at the Aix-les-Bains Le Revard train station, about 8 km away. Otherwise, the S11 bus line runs between Aix-les-Bains and La Féclaz.
An authentic Alpine chalet in Haute-Maurienne, right at the entrance to Vanoise National Park: it’s the kind of place where people come as much for the silence as for the snow. Here, your car won’t take you all the way to the door anyway: the hamlet of Le Collet is accessible on foot, a 5- to 10-minute walk from the nearest parking lot.
Le Collet Alpine Chalet - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the direct TGV from Paris to Modane, then the S53 bus to Lanslevillard (Val Cenis). Your hosts can pick you up in Lanslevillard if they’re there on the day of your arrival: contact them before booking your tickets! Otherwise, they’ve indicated a designated Rezo Pouce hitchhiking spot in the Col de la Madeleine parking lot. And don’t forget your €20 credit toward your next ski pass.
Are you a large family? The Olbios Chalet Accommodates up to 15 guests in Peisey-Nancroix, in the heart of the Les Arcs-La Plagne ski area. Here, a car quickly becomes unnecessary: free shuttles take you up to the slopes, and all other activities are accessible directly from the chalet.
Olbios Chalet - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to Landry Station, about 7 km away, then take a bus or taxi to the cabin.
In Biot, in the Haut-Chablais region, between Thonon and Morzine, the La Patte Nordic Vacation Rentals They embody a "Far North" spirit that fits perfectly with the Savoyard winter. A highly popular spot: it ranks among GreenGo's top 10 ski reservations.
La Patte Nordic Vacation Rentals - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to Thonon-les-Bains, 22 km away, then take a regional bus to Biot.
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This is undoubtedly the most magical route in this selection: you fall asleep at Paris-Austerlitz and wake up in the Hautes-Alpes. Upon arrival, La Toupinière awaits you in Molines-en-Queyras, in the heart of the Queyras Regional Nature Park, very close to the Molines–Saint-Véran resort.
The Toupinière de Molines - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the Paris–Briançon overnight train to Mont-Dauphin–Guillestre, then the ZOU! shuttle to Queyras. The Molines-en-Queyras Station stop is about 1 km from the accommodation.
Sleeping in a zome—that amazing geometric structure—at the foot of the Pyrenees? That's what Apizome, in Cierp-Gaud, in the upper Garonne Valley. This is an opportunity to explore a line that has come a long way: closed in 2014 after extensive flood damage, the Montréjeau-Luchon line reopened in June 2025.
Apizome - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to the Marignac-Saint-Béat stop on the Montréjeau-Luchon line, which is served by direct trains from Toulouse at certain times. There is also a bus stop, Cierp-Gaud Centre, located 900 meters from the zome.
Management The Camellias of Mont-Dore, charming accommodations for exploring Mont-Dore, at the foot of Puy de Sancy. Since 2015, there have been no trains running this far, but the regional bus has taken over. Once you’re there, you can put your transportation worries aside: hiking gear and bicycles are available at Les Camélias year-round.
The Camellias of Mont-Dore - ©GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to Clermont-Ferrand, then the P46 regional bus from bus platform #6, right in front of the SNCF train station. It drops you off at the Mont-Dore bus stop (the old train station) for €3.40 one way. Les Camélias is a 600-meter walk from there, and the host can also pick you up.
A eco-lodge A cozy getaway for two in the Haut-Jura highlands, featuring a private wood-heated Nordic bath: the perfect spot, as the host so aptly puts it, to gaze at the stars or watch the snow fall. Hiking trails start right from the ecolodge, and meals can be arranged on-site. Bonus: you can get there via the Hirondelles railway line, famous for its viaducts.
Ecolodge No. 1 - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train on the Hirondelles line to the La Chaumusse–Fort-du-Plasne stop, 2.5 km from the ecolodge (before booking, feel free to contact the host to see if they can pick you up there). The station doesn’t have a ticket window: buy your ticket online before you leave. Good to know: the line will remain in service at least until the end of 2028, but some trains are replaced by buses, particularly on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
🎁 Psst… Looking for a dreamy Christmas gift idea? Give the gift of a stay at one of these cabins with the GreenGo gift card: the recipient chooses their dates, and the card is valid for 2 years and can be exchanged.
See also:
Article
A Unique Weekend by Train: Our Favorite Cabins and Cozy Retreats for Winter
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
