Skiers and snowboarders based in the Denver area have long been beleaguered by aggravating traffic congestion on their way to and from the resorts that dot Colorado’s I-70. The traffic jams are practically synonymous with the superb skiing. On powder storm weekends, locals have to leave their homes at 5:00 a.m. to have a chance at beating the rush. During the week, it’s more manageable; drivers can expect to spend anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours to reach Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, or Vail.
The Winter Park Express
Skiers and snowboarders bound for Winter Park now have an alternative option: the Winter Park Express Ski Train. The train ride from Denver’s Union Station to Winter Park Resort departs at 7:00 a.m. and takes two hours and ten minutes. The train back to Denver departs Winter Park Resort at 4:35 p.m. and arrives at Union Station at 7:05 p.m. Passengers are dropped off and picked up at the base of Winter Park Resort.
Ski Travel By Train
This season, the Winter Park Express launched lower pricing—adult tickets are $19 one-way and $38 for roundtrip fares—and increased service, with trains running five days a week, Thursdays through Mondays. Currently, there are no other Winter Park Express trains, so if you miss the train, you will have to find an alternative transportation option. Passengers can begin loading the train as early as 6:15 a.m. and early boarding is encouraged so there’s ample time to load ski and snowboard gear. There is no checked bag service, and seats are unassigned. The last car of the train is designated for passengers who are staying overnight at Winter Park Resort. The train has a bi-level sightseeing lounge and a cafe service with snacks and drinks available for purchase. Tickets can be booked through Amtrak’s Winter Park Express page or on the Amtrak App. Booking in advance is a good idea, as tickets sell out fast.
Stay in Denver, Ski at Winter Park Resort
The ski train is ideal if you are visiting Denver, want to ski Winter Park, and are keen to avoid renting a car and sitting in traffic. If you stay at The Crawford Hotel in Denver’s Union Station, you can take Denver’s RTD A-Line directly from Denver International Airport to Union Station for just $10. The ride takes 40 minutes and offers frequent departures from DIA and Union Station.
The Crawford Hotel
Staying at the Crawford Hotel is an excellent option regardless of your plans while visiting Denver, but it is especially great if you’re planning to ski Winter Park for just the day. Not only is its location perfect for all travelers visiting Denver, but it’s also an incredibly unique and thoughtfully designed hotel with an unbeatable atmosphere. Built in 2014 and renovated in 2024, The Crawford is a truly independent hotel featuring 112 rooms and suites, each with a distinctive feel; some even have claw-foot bathtubs and chaise lounges. The idea of staying in a hotel tucked into a train station may deter some who assume the noise would be annoying, but the rooms are quiet and peaceful. Guests of the hotel are treated to a daily drip coffee at Pigtrain Coffee Company, located inside the station, a craft beer or wine nightly at the Terminal Bar, and access to courtesy transportation for nearby attractions. Historic building admirers will appreciate the nod to the building’s history throughout the station, such as the original linen blueprint designs, the old destinations ticker board, and one of the original station benches. The high ceilings, old-timey music, soft lighting, massive chandeliers, and large windows create a relaxing and chic vibe.
The Cooper Lounge
Located on the Mezzanine level at Union Station, the Cooper Lounge epitomizes swanky and is considered one of Denver’s coolest bars. The high-end cocktails, mocktails, wine, local craft beers, and small gourmet bites are served daily from 4:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended due to its status as one of the hottest tickets in town. It’s a great spot for pre-dinner drinks because it’s surrounded by some of Denver’s best restaurants located steps away from Union Station, like Jinya Ramen, Tavernetta, and Ultreia.
