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Winter Park Express

GDT > Winter Park Express

All aboard! The Ski Train is now departing…

The Winter Park Express at Winter Park Station.
The Winter Park Express at Winter Park Station.

The Winter Park Express is a seasonal train service operated by Amtrak, designed to provide convenient transportation for skiers, snowboarders, and winter sports enthusiasts traveling to the Winter Park and Mary Jane Resort in Colorado. The service runs between Denver Union Station and a dedicated station at the Winter Park Resort, typically operating on weekends during the ski season, from December to March.

The Winter Park Express at Winter Park Station.
The train hosts help load skis and snowboards into a dedicated storage area on board.

The train offers a comfortable and scenic ride through the Rocky Mountains, with features like large windows, an onboard sightseer lounge available to all passengers, a cafe car that also sells alcoholic beverages, and the ability to bring skis or snowboards at no extra charge. Passengers can avoid the hassle of driving through snowy and mountain roads and instead relax and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery the U.S. has to offer. The service is a popular option for people looking to skip the traffic and parking challenges associated with getting to the resort.

Train Hosts

Winter Park Express train hosts.
A line up of train hosts – look out for GDT members performing this role!

As a result of a partnership between Amtrak and ColoRail, each Winter Park Express train is staffed by train hosts who are each dedicated to a particular car. The hosts will help direct passengers to boarding locations, provide information on the route, Winter Park amenities and answer any questions.

Look out for GDT members on board performing this role!

Schedule

The Winter Park Express at Winter Park Station.
Passengers boarding at Winter Park. Some have just traveled for the day, others have stayed longer.

Train Running Days

December 20 – 22, 2024
December 27 – 29, 2024
January 3 – 5, 2025
Friday, Saturday and Sunday

January 9 – March 31, 2024
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Westbound Timings

Denver Union Station (DEN) dep.7:00am
Winter Park Resort (WPR) arr.9:11am
Fraser – Winter Park (WIP) arr.9:41am

Eastbound Timings

Fraser – Winter Park (WIP) dep.4:05pm
Winter Park Resort (WPR) dep.4:35pm
Denver Union Station (DEN) arr.7:05pm

New for 2025: Extension to Fraser

The Winter Park Express observation car.
The observation car is the center of the party. Here ‘Conductor Brad’ performs with his guitar.

For the 2025 season, after dropping off at Winter Park the train will continue for another 30 minutes to Fraser to provide additional opportunities for a day out besides visiting the Winter Park Resort. It will start from Fraser on the way back, picking up at Winter Park, before returning to Denver.

The Lyft, Winter Park’s transit system, offers free and regular bus service year-round to and from Winter Park Resort, Downtown Winter Park, Fraser and Granby making it possible to easily visit multiple destinations in one day.

Also, for additional travel options between Denver and the area, Amtrak’s California Zephyr calls at Fraser and Granby as does Bustang’s Denver – Craig route.

Fares and Tickets

The Winter Park Express at Winter Park Station.
Skis, snowboards and other winter sports equipment are carried at no extra charge.

For the 2025 season, fares for the Winter Park Express have been lowered to as little as $19 one way / $38 round trip if booked in advance. These rise to $39 one way / $78 round trip if booked last minute. The train is expected to sell out most days with Saturdays and Sundays likely to be very popular.

Children aged 2-12 travel for half price meaning a family of four can ride the train for as little as $114. Book online using the Amtrak Website / Amtrak App or alternatively visit any Amtrak ticket office.

Amtrak Website
Winter Park Express