Transport

The vast majority of participants on the trip will go out to resort by coach. It’s included in the base price so it’s the best value way to get out to the mountains and, with everyone on board excited about the coming week, the journey is usually great fun.

As part of our main week package we will pick you up from (and deliver you back to) either the centre of Oxford, Cambridge or London Victoria. All coaches will make a brief stop in London on their way back so you can jump off here if it’s more convenient. Coaches depart on Friday 2nd December just as term ends, so you can travel overnight and wakeup in the French Alps on your first day of the Christmas holidays. We only use modern, comfortable, executive coaches with TV and toilets so the journey is not as bad as it sounds. Getting to the resort by coach is the best way to get to know others on the trip, and its great fun.

The coaches will depart from 15:30 from Cambridge, and from 17:30 from Oxford. If you specifically need to depart later, you can sign up for a late coach.

As you can appreciate the coaches have limited luggage space so please be sensible and only bring one medium sized bag, the dimensions of which should be no greater than 40cm x 40cm x 70cm. If you have you own ski or a snowboard equipment you will be able to bring this on the coach free of charge but you will need to compensate by bringing a smaller main bag.

But if buses aren’t for you then there is always the option to choose our flight upgrade (return only or both ways). See below for more details.

For those of you who would prefer to get to resort in comfort, style and the shortest time possible, as well as get in an extra night’s sleep after term ends, flying is the option for you.

Flights leave on Saturday 3rd, from London Gatwick airport (North Terminal), and arrive in Geneva that afternoon. You'll then be met by a coach that will transport you from the airport to the resort. It's the quickest way to get to resort and an upgrade will cost £139 extra. Flights return on Saturday 10th.

If you’re opting for the ‘First Lift’ package then return flights are already included in the basic price. All flights will depart from London on the evening of Thursday 1st December and will be met by an airport transfer coach. Flights will return on Saturday 10th December.

We also offer the option to coach out and fly back. For many this is the best of both worlds - the atmosphere and fun of the coach out, with the convenience of the flight on the way back. This upgrade costs £64 or £89 with sports equipment. Flights return to London Gatwick on the morning of Saturday 10th.

When flying standard airline baggage restrictions apply. If you are bringing your own ski or snowboard equipment you must to inform us in advance and pay the standard charge for excess sports equipment at the airlines rate.

If you’re wanting to ‘go it alone’ in terms of transport Varsity Trip takes no responsibility for your safe and punctual arrival in resort. With a small discount and transport bus on offer, however, we understand if, for some people, this may be the most convenient option.

It is possible to organise your own transport to resort and this may save you money, there is a reduction in the trip price of £35 if you choose to take this option. However, you'll have to arrange getting all the way to the resort, not just a nearby airport, and if you book this option it is entirely at your own risk. Varsity Trip takes no responsibility for your travel arrangements if you choose not to use our transport programme.

If you're planning on flying, Val Thorens is easily accessible from Chambery, Lyon and Geneva airports and there are lots of bus and taxi companies available for airport transfers to the resort.

To help with transport between Geneva and Val Thorens we will be arranging a special transfer bus on Sat 3rd/10th December – this can be selected on the booking form. However, it should be noted there is a strictly limited number of places and Varsity Trip cannot be held responsible if it sells out before you’ve secured your seat. If you do get a spot, it is by far the cheapest and easiest way to get between Geneva and the resort. The price is £69 return or £35 one way and the bus will depart Geneva at 1700hrs on Saturday 3rd December and is estimated to arrive in Geneva at 1100hrs on Saturday 10th December.