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Have you ever found yourself sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on I-70 on your way to or from skiing? If so, I’m guessing the thought, “how could I possibly avoid this in the future?” has crossed your mind a time or two. Well, I’m here to tell you that you do have another option.

It’s actually a really appealing alternative to staring at tail lights, as it involves riding through some of Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes without having to sit in traffic, navigate icy roads, or hassle with parking. The Winter Park Express Ski Train may be the answer to simplifying your journey from Denver to Winter Park Resort, where you will discover over 3,000 acres of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

It all begins at the recently renovated Union Station.
Facebook/Winter Park Resort
As Denver's transportation hub, Union Station also has direct rail access to Denver International Airport, which makes it possible for travelers from around the world to land in Denver and ride the rails all the way to Winter Park Resort. This offers a nice alternative for travelers instead of setting up a shuttle or renting a car and driving the mountain roads on their own.
Relax and enjoy the scenery on this 56 mile (one way) train ride that lasts about two hours.
Facebook/Visit Winter Park, CO
This Amtrack Superliner can seat just over 500 passengers.
You won't miss I-70 one bit as the train travels north and west toward the Rocky Mountains, allowing passengers to take in gorgeous views along the way.
Facebook/Winter Park Resort
The Winterpark Express also travels through around 30 tunnels, the longest of which being the Moffat Tunnel which is 6.2 miles long and cuts through the Continental Divide.

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Upon your arrival to Winter Park, you will step off the train onto a heated platform and walk a short 100 feet to the nearest ski lift.
Facebook/Winter Park Resort
You will feel like someone just rolled out a red carpet for you and gave you an award for making your life so much easier by taking the train.
Last year was the the first season the train ride to Winter Park was offered after a 7 year hiatus. 18,000 tickets were sold.
Facebook/Winter Park & Fraser Chamber - CO
The original ski train ran continuously from 1940-2009. It was brought back for a weekend in 2015 as part of Winter Park's 75th anniversary celebration. Tickets for that weekend sold out very quickly, which fueled a renewed interest in the ski train. A partnership was formed between Amtrack, Union Pacific, and the Winter Park Resort to restore this train ride experience.
Climb aboard a beautiful ride on the Winter Park Express Ski Train, so you can spend more time enjoying this.
Facebook/Winter Park Resort
And, less time sitting in this.
Flickr/Josh Gray

For the 2018 season, the Winter Park Express Ski Train will offer rides every Saturday and Sunday from January 5 through March 25. They are also selling tickets for the first Friday of each of those months. The train departs Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives at Winter Park at 9 a.m. After a full day of skiing or snowboarding, the train will leave Winter Park at 4:30 p.m., arriving back at Union station at 6:40 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $29-$59 (one way). Children, ages 2-12, ride for half price with a ticketed adult. So, don’t delay, purchase your tickets here.

Have you ever decided to forego the traffic up to Winter Park and take the train instead? Please share your experience in the comments below.

After a day of skiing, you may even want to stay at Union Station for a drink at this amazing train-themed bar.

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