This winter, skiers and snowboarders in Colorado will once again be able to use a route that avoids the congestion of Interstate 70.
That’s the cost of a train ticket from Union Station in Denver to the base of Winter Park. Starting this weekend and continuing until March 26th, the Winter Park Express will transport skiers and snowboarders from the Front Range without the inconvenience of driving or finding parking at the base of the mountain.
The resort calls the train ride, which takes two hours and crosses the Continental Divide, “a one-of-a-kind trip.”
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad began operating the “Ski Train” to the then-new resort in 1940, marking the beginning of the annual tradition. Amtrak reopened the line in 2015 in time for Winter Park’s 75th anniversary, which had been missed for several years. The ride was so well received that in 2017 the firm decided to keep it around for good.
A quick look at reservations for the train’s inaugural weekends this month reveals that its popularity is at a high. Tickets for adults start at $54 on Amtrak’s website, and it appears that certain routes are already sold out. Later in the season, adult fares start at $34 and child fares start at $17 on Amtrak’s website.
Early each morning, at 7 a.m., the Winter Park Express departs from Denver. and check out time is 4:30 pm. On the weekend days (Saturday and Sunday). Day tickets and weekend passes are both flexible options.
