Colorado's ski train is back — and tickets start at $19 one-way

Another ski season is upon us, which means Amtrak's Winter Park Express train is also back.

Skiers, boarders and snow bunnies alike can take the train from Denver to Winter Park Resort — Colorado's longest continually operated ski resort featuring over 3,000 acres of terrain.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024-2025 ski season, with one-way tickets starting at $19.

The Winter Park Express train begins service Dec. 20 and runs through March 3, with service on select days.

Deal basics

Carrier: Amtrak
Routes: From Denver's Union Station (DEN) to Winter Park Ski Resort (WPR)
How to book: Directly with Amtrak
Travel dates: Dec. 20-22, 2024; Dec. 27-29, 2024; Jan. 3-5, 2025; Jan. 9-March 3, 2025

Weekend service starts early this year in December, with full service from Thursday to Monday beginning in January.

The train ride takes approximately two hours. The daily schedule is as follows:

• Depart Union Station at 7 a.m.; arrive at Winter Park Resort at 9:11 a.m.
• Depart Winter Park Resort at 4:35 p.m.; arrive at Union Station at 7:05 p.m.

This train also makes an additional stop at Fraser-Winter Park (WIP), about 6 miles north of Winter Park Resort.

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One-way fares start at $19 for adults, while tickets for kids (ages 2 to 12) start at $9.50, based on availability.

One of the coolest parts of this experience is that it eliminates the need to drive to the slopes; those on board can bring their skis and snowboards as carry-on items and stow them in dedicated baggage storage for no additional charge. Additionally, each traveler may bring two personal items (weighing less than 25 pounds and measuring no more than 14 inches by 11 inches by 7 inches each), two carry-on items (weighing less than 50 pounds and measuring no more than 28 inches by 22 inches by 14 inches each) and two checked bags (weighing less than 50 pounds and measuring up to 75 inches in total).

How to book

You can book tickets online or via the Amtrak app. Book group reservations (nine to 14 people) by calling 800-872-7245. Groups of 15 or more must complete a form online to book.

A test search conducted for this story showed round-trip opening weekend fares departing Union Station on Dec. 20 and returning Dec. 22 were available for $58.

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Travelers can choose from Value or Flex fares. Value fares are nonrefundable, are nonchargeable and incur a 25% fee if canceled before departure. Flex fares are slightly more expensive but are fully refundable and can be changed without a fee.

You can also choose between an upper- and lower-level seat.

If you want to book this route with Amtrak Guest Rewards points, expect prices to start at about 1,000 points each way.

Other things to know

On board, expect wide, reclining coach seats with extra legroom, no middle seat and power chargers. Big windows allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains along the way. For the best view, head upstairs to the bi-level Sightseer Lounge, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and seating. Regular Amtrak cafe service with snacks and drinks is available downstairs.

If you want to travel to Winter Park Resort on a weekday, you can ride the Amtrak California Zephyr; it operates daily between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area, passing through Denver and Fraser, Colorado. Once in Colorado, there's a shuttle to take you the remaining 8 miles to the resort. In this case, be sure to search for station code WPS to book the shuttle.

For the upcoming season, Winter Park Resort lift hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Taking the train ensures a full day on the slopes.

Maximize your purchase

If you purchase an Amtrak ticket, use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel, such as:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 2 miles per dollar spent on everyday spending
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): 2 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases
• American Express® Green Card: 3 points per dollar spent on travel
• Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard®: 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel
• Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®: 3 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel

The information for the American Express Green, Amtrak Guest Rewards and Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

You can purchase tickets now for Amtrak's Winter Park Express train to get from Denver to Winter Park Resort and back. The service is available each weekend from late December through March. One-way tickets start at $19, but fares for some dates will be more expensive.

Reservations for this train are already filling up, so be sure to book your ticket soon.

Related reading:

• I had a free day in Denver and decided to take the ski train
• This ski pass will get you unlimited skiing at top resorts through 2025
• As a final frontier of Utah ski resorts, Snowbasin remains accessible for beginners
• A powder hound in the making: 4 tips for taking your first ski trip as an adult
• From picking the perfect mountain to renting winter clothes: How I'm prepping for my first ski tri