by Mark Smiley
January 9, 2025, marked th
e first Thursday for the Amtrak Winter Park Express to operate under its new regular service schedule. And January 13 marked the first Monday that the train runs regularly.
The new Thursday and Monday runs, which will last until March 31, are in addition to the usual Friday, Saturday, and Sunday service that passengers have come to expect of the ski train.
The new five-days-a-week service, which also comes with lower fares, is a result of increased funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The route, which runs from Denver Union Station to the slopes at the Winter Park Resort, also stops at the Fraser-Winter Park station.
“We hope Coloradans and visitors to our state will take advantage of this expanded service,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Folks riding the Winter Park Express can bring their skis, boards, and gear at no additional cost, and there are two more train cars now to carry more people and their stuff.
“With fares more than 40% less than previous years, this is a great deal.”
In addition to being able to purchase food and beverages aboard the Winter Park Express, passengers can enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies from the Sightseer Lounge car.
The train departs Denver Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives at Winter Park at 9:11 a.m. The return trip departs from Fraser-Winter Park station at 4:05 p.m., then departs Winter Park Resort station at 4:35 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 7:05 p.m. One-way fares start at $19 or $9.50 for kids. For tickets, go to amtrak.com/winterparkexpress.
