This story has been up to date to mirror the 2023 Winter Park Express ski practice schedule.
Colorado is dwelling to a few of the greatest ski cities, not solely within the U.S. however on the planet.
The solely drawback is that the cities aren’t at all times straightforward to get to — most require a few hours’ drive, a flight or each. So, it was thrilling when Amtrak introduced the return of the Winter Park Express “ski train” following a hiatus for the 2020-2021 season.
Now, I have to admit that I’m not a skier. Having spent most of my life in sunny Southern California, the one snowboarding I had carried out previously was on the water.
However, the concept of taking a practice straight from a significant downtown to the slopes of a high ski resort intrigued me. So after I just lately discovered myself with a free day in Denver, the ski practice was the proper excuse for me to provide the slopes a strive.
Schedule and reserving
For the present season, the Winter Park Express runs each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from Jan. 13 by means of March 26,
It departs Denver Union Station (DEN) at 7 a.m. and arrives at Winter Park Resort (WPR) at 9 a.m. The return journey departs the resort at 4:30 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 6:40 p.m. This schedule aligns completely with the resort hours, that are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and eight:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. So, you’re principally assured a full day on the slopes.
It’s additionally value mentioning that Union Station is linked to Denver International Airport (DEN) by commuter trains, so it’s attainable to fly in and make your solution to the slopes totally by rail.
Booking the Winter Park Express is not any completely different than reserving every other practice. Head to Amtrak’s web site and enter DEN as your departure level and WPR as your vacation spot.
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One-way fares begin at $34, with a particular charge of $17 for kids ages 2 to 12. Don’t fear about paying further to deliver your skis or snowboards on board. You’re allowed to deliver two carry-on objects, together with skis and snowboards, in addition to two private objects at no further cost. Just bear in mind raise tickets should be bought individually by means of the resort.
Unfortunately, this route shouldn’t be bookable with Amtrak Guest Rewards factors.
The practice
Amtrak has spare trains devoted to this route. They’re painted in a customized Winter Park livery on the skin and have particular branding on the within.
The trains characteristic all-coach seating unfold throughout two ranges. Most vehicles are outfitted with typical Amtrak seats, some upholstered in leather-based and others in cloth. Both varieties supply beneficiant legroom, a snug recline and energy retailers in each row.
Related: Why Winter Park Resort ought to be your subsequent trip vacation spot
The greatest seats, at the least for my part, are these within the remark automotive — higher often called the Sightseeing Lounge. While you’ll quit some legroom and recline for those who sit right here, the floor-to-ceiling home windows make up for it, significantly on this scenic route.
In addition to the one seats, there are household seats with tables for teams of 4. As within the different vehicles, all seats have direct entry to energy retailers.
Seats within the remark automotive are first come, first served, and so they replenish rapidly. I like to recommend heading there straight away if you would like a spot. The remark automotive is a novel characteristic usually solely discovered on long-distance trains however a staple of the Winter Park Express.
Below the window-filled lounge is a restaurant that serves an assortment of packaged gentle snacks and drinks however no sizzling meals.
The expertise
My morning started on the daybreak at Denver’s historic Beaux Arts Union Station. I used to be staying at The Crawford Hotel contained in the practice station (evaluate coming quickly), so I used to be only a brief stroll away from the practice.
The Winter Park Express at all times departs Union Station from Track 5. I had rented gear from the resort, so I used to be touring gentle. However, there have been volunteers to help in loading skis and snowboards into the devoted baggage storage space.
Additional cupboard space is on the market on board on the ends of the vehicles, in addition to on overhead cabinets. While everybody was allowed two carry-on objects and two private objects, that didn’t seem like strictly enforced.
Despite the early morning departure, there was a whole lot of vitality on board. Everyone — each passengers and crew — appeared excited to be on the ski practice. This helped to make the expertise much more particular. The conductor was additionally very chatty and handed by means of the cabin incessantly to verify on passengers.
What made essentially the most lasting impression on me had been the volunteers. Aside from simply serving to passengers load their gear, there have been volunteers on board mentioning sights alongside the best way, sharing varied tales and, maybe most significantly, answering questions on Winter Park.
There was no Wi-Fi on board, however folks didn’t appear to thoughts — everybody’s eyes had been caught to the home windows for a lot of the 67-mile experience anyway.
The views had been actually beautiful, and passengers, myself included, couldn’t assist however take photos at each flip. It certain beat the standstill site visitors on Interstate Highway 70, which you’d usually take to drive to Winter Park.
A swift two hours later, the brakes screeched, and we arrived at Winter Park. Those returning to Denver later that day had the choice of leaving some belongings on the practice (so long as they did not thoughts not having the ability to entry these objects till they returned on the day’s finish).
Read extra: Winter Park Express ski practice is again — and tickets begin at $34 a method
Again, there have been volunteers to help with unloading gear from the practice.
The practice cease couldn’t have been any extra handy. Upon arrival, we stepped off onto a heated platform — simply 100 ft from the closest ski raise. The rental store and ski and experience college had been additionally proper there, so no shuttles had been obligatory.
After a profitable day studying tips on how to ski, I walked again to the practice, was welcomed again by the identical crew from the morning. Before I knew it, was on my manner again to Denver. Easy peasy.
Bottom line
Thanks to the Winter Park Express, I used to be capable of benefit from an additional day in Denver and learn to ski in only a few hours’ time.
It will not be the Polar Express, nevertheless it felt like the subsequent smartest thing. It’s not daily that you just get to get up in a significant metropolis, go snowboarding for the day and be again in dinner time.
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.