Savvy skiers are in on the secret. They’re ditching drives and forgoing flights to choose rail relaxation. North American passenger trains have had their ups and downs since the first winter trains hit Lake Tahoe in 1868. Today’s rail renaissance is taking skiers to new heights with shusher specials on track from coast to coast. From northeast peaks to Rocky Mountain resorts on both sides of the border, these days U.S. and Canadian railways are the smart skier’s green and easy winter playground connection. We’ve zeroed in on ten of the best.
Amtrak Ethan Allen Express to Killington Resort
Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express is the New York Tri-State Area’s Killington connection to the East’s largest ski resort. Killington Resort is just a half hour away from Amtrak’s Rutland, Vermont Station via the Killington Express Shuttle. The MTA Trip Planner and NJ Transit website will help you to make your way to Manhattan’s Penn Station.
Amtrak Vermonter to Mount Snow
Amtrak’s Vermonter connects the Green Mountain State’s Mount Snow with a string of Northeast cities including DC and New York. Rely on Metro, VRE or MARC transit to pick up the Vermonter at Washington’s Union Station; MTA or NJ Transit to connect at NYC’s Penn Station. MOOver shuttle buses to Mount Snow’s base station meet the train on arrival in Brattleboro, Vermont.
VIA Rail Canadian to Marmot Basin
VIA Rail’s Canadian pulls into Jasper National Park’s namesake station three times a week to unload Marmot Basin-bound skiers and boarders from Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver. VIA also makes a Jasper-Prince Rupert run that’s popular with cruise ship passengers. The Basin itself is a daylight-only operation. Luckily it’s a short shuttle bus hop between Marmot slopes and Jasper, Alberta‘s hotels and apres scene.
MBTA Ski Train to Wachusett Mountain
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area is easy to reach from Boston thanks to the MBTA Ski Train! Head out from Boston’s North Station to Wachusett Station where a free shuttle completes the city-to-slopes journey. Travelers arriving at Amtrak’s South Station or Back Bay Station are just a “T” ride away from North Station. Folks arriving aboard the Amtrak Downeaster need only switch platforms.\
California Zephyr to Palisades Tahoe
Amtrak’s California Zephyr puts Sacramento and the SF Bay Area within easy reach of Truckee Station where a free TART (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit) shuttle continues to Palisades Tahoe. Bay Area departures are from Emeryville (connect with Amtrak California and long-distance routes; and Amtrak shuttle to Bay Area transit connections). Amtrak’s Sacramento Valley Station connects with RT Gold Line light rail.
Amtrak Winter Park Express to Winter Park Resort
Amtrak’s only true ski train, Colorado’s Winter Park Express runs straight to the slopes. The train operates Fridays and Sundays between Denver Union Station and Winter Park Resort. RTD A-Line trains link Union Station and the airport. Alternatively, Amtrak’s California Zephyr stops at Fraser, Colorado where you can catch The Lift Black Line shuttle to the the resort.
UTA FrontRunner to Snowbasin Resort
UTA FrontRunner trains close the distance between Salt Lake City and Sun Valley’s Snowbasin — site of the 2002 Olympics downhills. From Downtown’s Salt Lake Central (connect with Amtrak California Zephyr) and North Temple Station (connect via TRAX Green Line from SLC airport), it’s less than an hour to Layton and Ogden where Ski Bus Service links winter sports enthusiasts with Snowbasin and nearby lodging options.
Metro North to Thunder Ridge Ski Area
Thanks to the Metro North Ski Train, Thunder Ridge Ski Area is the Big Apple’s most convenient winter resort. Make your way to Grand Central Terminal to grab a Harlem Line train to Patterson and hook-up with the free Ski Train Shuttle in around two hours. The MTA Trip Planner can help you plan subway, bus, and regional rail connections to Grand Central from Amtrak Penn Station, regional airports and throughout the Tri-State Area.
Amtrak Empire Builder to Whitefish Mountain
Amtrak’s Empire Builder puts Midwest and Pacific Northwest skiers within over-night reach of one of Big Sky Country’s top resorts. The long-distance train runs everyday from Seattle, Portland, Chicago, and the Twin Cities to Amtrak’s historic depot in Whitefish, Montana. From there, you can hop the free SNOW Bus shuttle and be at the Big Mountain’s Whitefish Mountain Resort in around 20 minutes.
New Mexico Rail Runner to Ski Santa Fe
New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express points the way to Ski Santa Fe and amazing apres. Ride the rails from Albequerque’s Alvarado Transportation Center (connect with Amtrak Southwest Chief) to South Capital Station. Then catch the RTD 255 Mountain Trail bus for the final leg to the Ski Santa Fe base station in Santa Fe National Forest. ABQ SunPort shuttles serve multiple Rail Runner Stations.
Protecting passengers and crews is always a top priority for U.S. and Canadian railways, but the coronavirus has brought a new sense of urgency. Whether you are at the station, aboard the train, or riding a shuttle to the slopes, you can expect host operators to be taking taking extra precautions. They include requiring or recommending face coverings and safe distancing for all.
One way you can avoid close contact – and long queues – is by purchasing ski train tickets in advance and by arriving well ahead of your train’s departure time. Be sure to check train day conditions as severe weather or covid-related mandates may force schedule adjustments. To find more railroads offering winter-season runs and activities, check out the Train Traveling guide to Train Rides in the USA and Canada.
