I admit it – I’m a bit of a map freak.  Maybe that’s yet another reason why I love skiing – there are still maps involved!  At the end of the day – I love plotting where I’ve been on the piste map and planning the following days adventures.   At least piste maps have not been replaced by that wretched ‘Jane’ on the SatNav with whom I have ongoing battles!!

So I’m delighted to discover that there is a new ‘SkiRail Map of the Alps’.   Yes, a proper, paper, unfold it on a big table, map of the Alps opening up a world of relaxing and environmentally-friendly travel options for journeys to the Al to Europe’s number-one winter sports region.

The map shows, for the first time, the position of over 400 ski resorts across the six main Alpine countries in relation to the rail network, with detailed information on over 120 resorts which are directly accessible by train.

Bringing together a wealth of information, the map enables the adventurous, independent traveller discover little known corners of the Alps whilst minimising their impact on the environment.   With the inclusion of journey times to the Alps from cities in over 10 European countries, and comparisons of carbon emissions (rail typically generates just 10%-15% of the equivalent trip by plane) the map provides a powerful incentive to travel to the mountains by train.  And that’s not even taking into account the pleasurable rail experience, the views, ability to walk around, short check-ins, no luggage limits etc etc....

For each of the 120 rail-served resorts, information is provided on the extent and difficulty of the downhill skiing, the amount of cross-country skiing, the altitude range and vertical drop, and the time it takes to reach the resort by train from the nearest major city. The map features the classic Alpine resorts in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland as well as many lesser known destinations in Germany and Slovenia.

A joint venture between Roger Lascelles Maps and cartographers Cosmographics, the map comes with a beautifully illustrated colour booklet with contributions from Rail Europe, Ski Club of Great Britain, and the tourist boards of the six major Alpine countries. Detailed information is provided on how to reach resorts by train including connections with airports, where to change trains, and how to reach the ski lifts from the resort train station.

SkiRail Map of the Alps researcher, and sustainable transport specialist, Neil Guthrie, comments: “there’s never been a better time to travel by train to, and through, the Alps. Vast swathes of continental Europe and the UK are now within just a few hours of the Alps thanks to an ever evolving, high-speed rail network. Increasing numbers of Europeans are voting with their (ski-boot clad) feet by choosing to take the train, making the journey one of the highlights of their holiday.”

He adds: “The geography of the Alps is something of a mystery to the non-native skier. The SkiRail Map shows how the pieces of the Alpine jigsaw puzzle fit together, and opens up countless opportunities for independent, winter-sports adventures using the fantastic rail services which criss-cross the mountains. The map can be used to reach the world-class, big-name resorts by train such as Chamonix, Zermatt and St Anton, but it also offers an enticing route to the smaller, little-known destinations where accommodation, lift passes and equipment hire are a fraction of the usual price, and lift queues rarely encountered.”

So often on a ski holiday, from the initial selection from a brochure, to the transfer and arrival in resort, it can be easy to not know where you really are in relation to places you’ve skied before or cities you’ve visited.   This map enables you to understand where resorts are – and plan exciting journeys to reach them.   I love it!