Colorado's ski train is back — and tickets start at $19 one-way
Editor's Note
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.
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.
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
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.