Of all the logistical headaches that come with planning a ski trip, renting a car and navigating unfamiliar, often icy, mountain roads has to be one of the worst. And that’s before you factor in bumper-to-bumper ski traffic and chaotic resort parking. But one Colorado ski area flips that narrative entirely: Winter Park Resort. The ski area, which is Colorado’s longest continually operating ski resort, has been a beloved mountain escape for Denverites for decades so much so that when its lifts started turning in 1940, a dedicated ski train started running from downtown Denver.
Today, that tradition lives on with the Winter Park Express, a ski train that operates in partnership with Amtrak. And with it, Winter Park Resort is able to offer something no other Colorado ski area can: a train that picks you up in the heart of Denver and drops you directly at the base of the resort. With adult fares starting at just $9 ($4.50 for kids), riders can skip the rental-car counter, avoid I-70 traffic, and forget about parking altogether.
This year, the Winter Park Express starts running on Dec. 19, with service every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Jan. 4, 2026. After the New Year, the schedule expands to Thursday through Sunday service from Jan. 8 to March 29.
The journey between Denver and Winter Park takes around three hours one way, with the train leaving Denver at 7 a.m. and departing Winter Park at 4:33 p.m. The departure times make the Winter Park Express an easy option for day skiers and those coming to ski for the full weekend.
One way fares on the Winter Park Express start at $9, with kids fares (age 2 to 12) starting at $4.50. Ski and snowboards are loaded into the train’s dedicated baggage storage area for no additional charge, and travelers can sit back and enjoy the view—which has no traffic in sight—from the train’s big picture windows.
The Winter Park Express also has a bi-level “Sightseer Lounge,” which is perfect for watching the train climb into the Rockies, and a small onboard cafe that serves light snacks and drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails. Seats come with generous legroom—and best of all, there are no middle seats.
Tickets for the Winter Park Express can be booked at amtrak.com.
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