Amtrak Winter Park Express Starts Sooner, Goes Farther and Runs More Often This Season

An additional destination and five days of roundtrips weekly starting in January are among new features of the popular service

WINTER PARK, Colo. - To meet growing demand for train travel, the Amtrak Winter Park Express will kick off its season with holiday runs starting in December. This seasonal service expands to five days weekly after the New Year. With 69 roundtrips this season - 29 more than last season - the Winter Park Express will more conveniently serve ski and non-ski passengers traveling from Denver to the Fraser Valley.

The Winter Park Express season will start on the last two weekends of this year, Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 27-29, plus Jan. 3-5. Expanded service begins on Jan. 9 and runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays through March 31. The trains will serve both the Winter Park Resort and neighboring Fraser.

Tickets start at $19 ($9.50 for kids) and are available now.

Passenger rail along the Front Range and through the U.S. Highway 40 Mountain Corridor is a state priority, and the Winter Park Express shows public desire for more mass transit options through the mountains and beyond. The rail route taken by the Winter Park Express is the first leg of a state-proposed Mountain Corridor passenger rail line that would eventually run from Denver to Craig.

"The Winter Park Express is a great opportunity for Coloradans and visitors to explore our mountains without the hassle of driving or traffic. Now with expanded service and lower costs, Coloradans can save time and money on our way to enjoying our great outdoors. I look forward to taking the train into the mountains this season," said Governor Jared Polis.

"At CDOT, we know that big ski days often mean tough drives in the mountains, and the Winter Park Express offers a great option to take a relaxing, affordable trip. We are excited to join in this innovative partnership to expand service and lower costs for an iconic Colorado travel experience," said Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

"The Winter Park Express ski train has long been a beloved tradition for Colorado and our guests from around the globe. It has demonstrated the desire from both residents and visitors for transportation options other than passenger vehicles. The Winter Park Express gives people another way to get to the slopes that's more scenic, sustainable, and relaxing than getting in a car and driving," said Sky Foulkes, president of the Winter Park Resort.

"We look forward to a bigger season than ever, with more than twice as many trips and an additional destination," said Amtrak Executive Vice President Dennis Newman. "With the State of Colorado expanding its partnership with the resort and Amtrak, the future of passenger rail on this corridor is bright."

Customers can bring their skis and snowboards as a carry-on for no additional charge. While onboard, they'll enjoy a trip in Coach class featuring wide, reclining seats with a big picture window, ample legroom and no middle seat. The train also features a bi-level Sightseer Lounge - the social hub of the train - offering panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains from upstairs and café service downstairs with snacks and drinks for purchase.

Tickets between Denver Union Station (station code: DEN) to Winter Park Resort (station code: WPR) and Fraser (station code: WIP) can be booked at Amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress and the Amtrak app. The train departs Denver at 7 a.m. and arrives at the resort at 9:11 a.m. and in Fraser at 9:41 a.m. The return trip departs Fraser at 4:05 p.m. and Winter Park Resort at 4:35 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 7:05 p.m. Denver Union Station is served by the Regional Transportation District's commuter trains from Denver International Airport as well as light rail, local or intercity buses, ride-sharing services, and taxis.

Customers in groups of up to eight can purchase Winter Park Express tickets at Amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress and the Amtrak app. Customers in groups of 9-14 can call 800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) to make a reservation. Groups of 15 or more-including requests for exclusive railcar occupancy-should fill out this form. For more information about group travel, call 800-USA-1GRP (1-800-872-1477) weekdays, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. MT, or email [email protected].

Lift tickets and other passes can be purchased directly from the Winter Park Resort website. Winter Park Resort is an Alterra Mountain Company property and its Ikon Pass welcomes skiers and riders to a community of inspiring mountain destinations across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.