Take Amtrak to the Slopes in California, Colorado and Vermont
Take the train to one of your favorite ski/snowboard resorts, and avoid highway traffic jams and base area parking problems. Amtrak has expanded its service this season to slopes in California and Vermont, in addition to the beloved ski train between downtown Denver and Winter Park.
Amtrak Benefits on All Ski Trains
Unlike airline checked baggage or car rental agency add-ons for a luggage rack, you can bring your gear on board for free, and there are special ski storage racks on some trains. Plus, Amtrak offers discounts to passengers 65+, to members of the military and to disabled passengers. Families can save money, too, as children (and grandchildren) aged two to 12 are eligible for 50 percent off tickets.
Winter Park Express
Zip past backups on I-70 for an easy metro-to-mountain trip with a choice of 40 round trips this season. The popular Winter Park Express will operate every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Jan. 12 through March 31, plus additional service on holidays such as on Jan. 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and Feb. 19 (Presidents’ Day).
Choose a one-day round-trip, or split your outgoing and return to spend an entire weekend, a full week or longer. Each way takes about two hours.
The Amtrak Winter Park Express leaves Denver at 7:00 am and leaves Winter Park Resort at 4:30 pm local time. While onboard, you’ll enjoy a trip in Coach class, featuring wide, reclining seats, big picture windows, ample legroom and no middle seat. Be sure to visit the bi-level Sightseer Lounge for panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and Moffat Tunnel from upstairs and café service with snacks and drinks for sale downstairs.
https://www.winterparkresort.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here/winter-park-express
The Vermonter
Glide into some of the Northeast’s top ski destinations aboard Amtrak’s Vermonter, between St. Albans – Essex Junction (Burlington) – Springfield – New York – Washington, DC, while you pass quaint New England villages and towns tucked beneath the beautiful backdrop of the snowcapped Green Mountains.
Resorts accessible on the Vermonter:
- Stowe Mountain Resort
- Jay Peak Resort
- Bolton Valley Resort
- Cochran’s Ski Area
- Catamount Mountain Resort
- Greek Peak Mountain Resort
- Mount Peter Ski Area
- Okemo Ski Resort
- Vermont Ski Resort
- Berkshire East Mountain Resort
https://www.amtrak.com/vermonter-train
Ethan Allen Express
This trail operates daily between NYC, Albany, Rutland and Burlington, including a scenic stretch along the Hudson River through the Hudson Valley.
Killington is accessible from either Rutland or Burlington, via regularly scheduled public bus service on Vermont Translines.
https://www.amtrak.com/ethan-allen-express-train
California Zephyr
This classic and scenic train travels year-round between Chicago and the snow-capped Sierras beyond San Francisco, through some of the most beautiful scenery in the USA. Although you might not want to make the full 51-hour trip in winter, it’s each to choose in-between destinations such as Denver and Salt Lake City, or via connections to Emeryville.
There are just too many ski/snowboard resorts accessible from the California Zephyr to mention them all. Top choices include –
- Palisades Tahoe and Diamond Peak in California
- Alta, Deer Valley and Park City in Utah
- Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado
https://www.amtrak.com/california-zephyr-train
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How do I get from the train (which station) to Waitfield, Vt. or Sugarbush?
Way back when, I used ti take Amtrak from Philadelphia to Burlington, VT when I was a freshman at the University of Vermont. It was forever ago, but I remember what a beautiful ride it was. It took about 12 hours back then because they stopped at every little town along the way! I’m sure it is much faster now.
My son and I took Amtrak from the Twin Cities (MN) a few years ago and had a pleasant journey….no hassle with bringing our skis, etc. and not much longer than finding a flight to Kalispell and then finding a way to get to Whitefish, which has been our favorite “big” ski area of choice because of its relatively low altitude and variety of blue/blacks.