Eco-Minded Skiers Take the Train (nba-252740)

With the 2008 ski season upon us, more European skiiers are switching from flights to trains to help the environment.

This ski season, if you're planning to take a ski trip, skip the long, annoying security checks at the airports and take the train instead.

Related:
Objections To Parking Changes At Bristol - Bristol Airport has come under fire after plans were revealed to use land at a mushroom farm in Langford for Bristol Airport parking.

It's no secret that air travel is less environmentally friendly than train travel. Eurostar train operators in Europe have decided to compete with airlines to transport travelers to The Alps.

Eurostar is the first operator in the world to offer 'carbon neutral' journeys for all its travellers - at no extra cost. Newly opened Ebbsfleet offers seven trains per day to Paris and five per day to Brussels. Trains travel as fast as 186 mph, making your trip as short as possible. And as economically friendly as possible to boot.

Related:
A Visualization of the Urban Legend Called, Man Made Global Warming - About the only fact pertaining to Man Made Global Warming is that there are many people across the world making tons of money by perpetrating a junk science hoax.

Eurostar plans to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions by twenty-five per cent per passenger by 2012 with their 'Tread Lightly' plan. A train trip with Eurostar generates ten times less carbon dioxide than an airplane trip. In addition to generating fewer emissions, Eurostar plans to offset the emissions they cannot eliminate. Travellers who travel with Eurostar may not realize it, but they are making the environmentally responsible choice.

Related:
The True Price of Fuel - The author examines what is happening with rising oil prices and what the burning of this fuel is doing to the environment. The author also looks into the future.

'We know that thousands of travellers want to be on the first trains on High Speed 1. We are expecting heavy demand from customers keen to enjoy even faster, shorter journeys to the Continent, and who want to see the stunning restoration of St. Pancras International Station,' says Eurostar's Chief Executive, Richard Brown.

Independent research commissioned by Eurostar has shown that a trip from London to the French Alps generates 24 kilograms of carbon dioxide per passenger. In comparison, a typical return flight London Heathrow-Geneva generates 191 kilograms of carbon dioxide while a round trip between Gatwick and Geneva generates 169 kilograms of carbon dioxide per passenger.

Related:
Patriotic People Recycle! - The article "Patriotic People Recycle!" uses basic statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency and other reputable sources to illustrate the compelling benefits to a nation when its citizenry recycles.

An increasing number of skiers are using high speed rail to ski in the French Alps. Since July 2006, more than 33,000 skiers, an increase of 43 per cent from the previous ski season, have used Eurostar to travel to the Alps.

Not only is it more environmentally friendly, it cuts back on transfer problems and lost baggage associated with flying. Travelling with Eurostar helps avoid lengthy coach rides and transfers travellers have to deal with when flying. Eurostar's stations, located high in the Alps, require only a short bus ride to resorts.

Related:
CFL Light Bulbs In Texas - Not The Brightest Idea? - Mercury is poisonous, yet it's a critical part of most compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), the kind that environmentalists and some governments are pushing as a new way to cut energy consumption.

For skiers convenience, Eurostar has travel packages that include round trips to The Alps. Some of their most popular travel incentive packages include overnight travel on Friday night to arrive Saturday morning, or Saturday trips that allow travellers to take in the beautiful scenery along the way.

Eurostar also offers select packages at a slightly higher rate. These select packages offer slightly more roomy accommodations, meals and drinks served at the passenger's seat.

Related:
Plant A Billion Trees Campaign - The United Nations Environment Programme is calling for a billion new trees to be planted. If successful it could lower significantly the amount of Co2 in the atmosphere.

This ski season, weigh your options. The plane trip may be quicker, but then you have the worries of lost luggage, coach rides and transfers to and from the resorts. The train trip may take a little longer, but much less hassle.

About the author: The ski season is upon us, and YourAndorra.com offers full ski holiday information for Andorra