Colorado plans to expand ski train service in Winter Park this year

The state of Colorado wants to expand service on the popular Winter Park ski train next winter.

The ski train was operated by a private company for decades before being shut down in 2009. Amtrak revived it in 2017 as the Winter Park Express. It runs between downtown Denver and Winter Park each ski season from January to March, primarily on weekends and holidays.

It is very popular and offers skiers a relaxing alternative to reach the ski area without having to travel along busy Interstate 70 and the Berthoud Pass.

State transportation officials are currently in talks with Amtrak and Winter Park Resort to expand service using state funds raised through a new rental car fee.

“This is just one example of what could happen soon and shows the results of all the work of the legislature,” Shoshana Lew, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, told lawmakers at a legislative meeting on Friday.

Officials want the train to run more days per week and are considering moving up the start of service to December. They also want to increase the capacity of each train and possibly expand service beyond the platform at the Winter Park Resort base.

“I don’t want to promise it yet, but we are confident that the frequency can be increased in the relatively near future,” Lew told MPs.

Amtrak and Winter Park Resort did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In addition, state agencies are in the early planning stages for a new passenger rail line along the same route that would extend to Steamboat Springs and Craig.