THE RIDE

The Winter Park Express ski train ties together the area’s rich skiing and railroad history as it carries passengers through some of Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes. The ride begins at Denver Union Station, a renovated 1914 Beaux-Arts train station in the heart of the city. The station is the city’s transportation hub with direct rail access to Denver International Airport, making it possible to touch down from anywhere in the world and ride the rails all the way to the pristine slopes at Winter Park Resort.

The double-decker Amtrak Superliner train leaves Union Station and heads north and west as it climbs toward the Rocky Mountains, offering views of the famous Flatirons above Boulder and the surrounding plains. It snakes its way up gentle grades through the remains of the area’s pioneering past. One of the more striking aspects of the journey is the number of tunnels, many of which were built by hand in remote areas. Of the 31 tunnels, the Moffat Tunnel is the longest at 6.2 miles, cutting through the Continental Divide some 50 miles from Denver. From there, it’s a short ride to Winter Park.

But with the addition of a new lounge car in 2019, you won't want the trip to end too soon. The two-level Amtrak “Superliner Sightseer” has windows that start at the floor and wrap up to the ceiling and offers snacks and soft drinks as well as beer and wine.

After the two-hour trip, passengers depart the train on a heated platform and walk 100 feet to the nearest ski lift.