New holiday and weekend service options,
lowered price and added train cars make Colorado's mountains and winter adventure more
accessible than ever
DENVER, Dec. 3, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Winter Park Express, operated by Amtrak,
announced in cooperation with the State
of Colorado and the Colorado Department of Transportation,
that that it will kick off the 2025 season with expanded service
from Denver's Union Station for both dates and journey. Starting
Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Winter
Park Express will operate five days a week—Thursday through
Monday—through March 31. The expanded
service also includes special holiday dates from December 20-22 and December 27-29, 2024. The train will also add a
stop in Fraser, five minutes west
of Winter Park. Tickets for this
year's Winter Park Express range from $19 - $39 and
children 2-12 are eligible for 50% off base fares. These fare
prices are 43% lower than previous years' fares and are now
available.
With no need for a car, passengers can now travel directly from
Denver International Airport or downtown Denver to the mountains
and back, allowing more time for relaxation and adventure—whether
it's a weekend getaway or a day trip to hit the slopes.
Richard Scharf, President and CEO of
VISIT DENVER, emphasized the significance of the Winter Park
Express to the city's role as a gateway to the Rockies: "The Winter
Park Express strengthens Denver's position as a hub for adventure
in Colorado. With the convenience
of direct train service from Denver International Airport and Union
Station, visitors can enjoy a world-class ski resort or mountain
town while still taking advantage of Denver's vibrant culture and
amenities."
Winter Park Resort is two hours from Denver by train, making it
a great option for spontaneous day trips. Skiers and snowboarders
can leave Denver early in the morning, spend the day on the slopes
and be back in the city by early evening, just in time for dinner
at one of Denver's MICHELIN or James
Beard award-winning restaurants.
"The Winter Park Express ski train has long been a beloved
tradition for Colorado and 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 Winter Park
Resort.
Winter Park is not just for
skiing. Non-skiers can enjoy the charm of the mountain town, snow
tubing, winter trails or the stunning scenery of the Fraser Valley.
The expanded service now includes a stop at Fraser, offering convenient access to this
quaint town and its surrounding attractions.
The Winter Park Express is designed to make the journey as
enjoyable as the destination. The train features wide, reclining
seats, large picture windows and a bi-level Sightseer Lounge for
panoramic views of the Rockies. Snacks and beverages are available
for purchase onboard, and skis, snowboards and other winter gear
are transported at no extra charge.
With additional train cars, the train can now accommodate 402
passengers per trip, ensuring more people can take advantage of
this unique and relaxing way to reach the mountains. Whether
planning a full weekend getaway or a day on the slopes, the Winter
Park Express access from Denver makes it easy to experience all
that Colorado has to offer.
Tickets between Denver Union
Station (station code: DEN) to Winter Park Resort
(station code: WPR) and Fraser
(station code: WIP) can be purchased
at Amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress and the Amtrak app.
The train departs Denver at 7 a.m.
and arrives at the resort at 9 a.m.
The return trip departs Winter Park Resort at 4:30 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 6:40
p.m. All times Mountain. 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 GroupSales@Amtrak.com.
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.
About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors
Bureau
Celebrating 115 years of
promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade
association that contracts with the City
of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure
destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating
jobs and generating taxes. Denver welcomed more than 37.4 million
visitors in 2023, generating $10.3
billion in spending, while supporting tens of thousands of
jobs and making Tourism one of the city's largest industries. Learn
more about Denver at VISIT DENVER or Tourism Pays Denver. Follow
Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates on
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
and LinkedIn.
About Winter Park Resort
Winter Park Resort, Colorado's
quintessential mountain and ski resort, is located less than 70
miles from the city of Denver. Flanked by the dramatic Continental
Divide and Rocky Mountains, the resort is defined by its pure
natural environment, and its unique Colorado adventure culture. During the winter,
Winter Park receives some of the
state's most consistent snowfall across its 3000+ acres of
world-class terrain, and has been voted USA Today's #1 Ski Resort in
North America multiple times.
During summer, the resort is home to renowned Trestle bike park,
and has been named as Colorado's
Top Adventure Town. For more information,
visit www.winterparkresort.com.
With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Taylor Shields, Director of PR &
Communications
Caroline Campbell, PR & Communications Manager
Natalie St. Hilaire, PR & Communications Coordinator
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SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau