DENVER — Amtrak’s Winter Park Express ski train will return for the 2025-26 season on Dec. 19, albeit with slightly fewer days than were offered when operations were expanded a year ago.
The train will operate total of 57 days this season, and will run four days a week — Thursdays through Sundays — beginning Jan. 8 and concluding March 29. The service will launch with three weeks of three-day operation: Dec. 19-21, Dec. 26-28, and Jan. 2-4.
Tickets, which start at $9 ($4.50 for children ages 2-12), are now available at the Amtrak website. Trains will depart Denver at 7 a.m., arriving at Winter Park Resort at 9:11 a.m. and in Fraser, Colo., at 9:41 a.m. Return trips depart Fraser at 4:05 p.m. and Winter Park at 4:35 p.m., arriving in Denver at 7:05 p.m.
“The Winter Park Express ski train has long been a beloved tradition for Colorado and our guests from around the globe,” Sky Foukles, president of Winter Park Resort, said in a press release. “Guests love the convenience and the affordability made possible through our partnership with the state of Colorado.”
Shoshana Lew, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, said the train “offers a great option to take a relaxing, affordable trip. We are excited to again join in this innovative partnership to expand service and lower costs for an iconic Colorado travel experience.”
Last season — the first when the Colorado Department of Transportation was involved with the service, helping lower ticket prices — the train operated for 69 days, offering Thursday-through-Monday service beginning in January. Ticket jumped from 16,000 in 2024 (when it operated 40 days) to more than 41,000 [see “More service, lower prices …,” Trains.com, March 21, 2025].
“The Winter Park Express shows that when we offer passenger rail, Coloradans ride,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “With cheaper fares, expanded service, and unparalleled mountain views, ridership has spiked. I look forward to riding the train this year and encourage all Coloradans to skip the bumper-to-bumper traffic and ride the Winter Park Express this season.”
