Amtrak to Expand ‘Winter Park Express’ Service - Railfan & Railroad Magazine

Skiers board the Winter Park Express at Winter Park, Colo., in March 2017. Amtrak is nearly doubling the number of trips between Denver and the ski resort this coming season. Photo by Justin Franz.

By Justin Franz

Amtrak announced on November 4 that it was dramatically expanding its Winter Park Express service between Denver Union Station and the Winter Park Resort, as well as adding an additional stop at Fraser, Colo.

Beginning in December, the train will make 69 trips from Denver to Winter Park and Fraser; 29 more trips than last season. Friday, Saturday and Sunday service will begin on December 20. Then, on January 9, the train will begin running five days a week (Thursday through Monday). Amtrak is also working to reduce how much it costs to ride, with tickets starting at $19 ($9.50 for kids).

“The Winter Park Express is a great opportunity for Coloradans and visitors to explore our mountains without the hassle of driving or traffic. Now with expanded service and lower costs, Coloradans can save time and money on our way to enjoying our great outdoors. I look forward to taking the train into the mountains this season,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

New for this winter, passengers will be able to ride the train all the way to Fraser, just west of Winter Park (previously, the train laid over in Fraser during the day, but passengers had to get off at the ski area).

The train departs Denver at 7 a.m. and arrives at the resort at 9:11 a.m. and in Fraser at 9:41 a.m. The return trip departs Fraser at 4:05 p.m. and Winter Park Resort at 4:35 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 7:05 p.m.

The ski train to Winter Park has been a Colorado institution since the early 20th century. The original train was canceled in 2009, but Amtrak brought it back as the Winter Park Express in 2017.

This article was posted on: November 6, 2024