Denver's Ski Train Returns in 2017 (Winter Park)!

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eblkheart

Service Attendant
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
124
I had a feeling this was going to happen. Snip of the article:

After a 7 year hiatus, the ski train will operate from Denver Union Station to a new platform at Winter Park Ski Resort during ski season.

The ski train previously ran from 1940 to 2009. It was discontinued in 2009 when it became too costly for a private operator to run.

Amtrak is partnering with Winter Park to bring the train back.
And

Winter Park is expected to announce details about train times and tickets on Thursday morning.
There we go :) Maybe they'll have it ready by the time the meet up happens in Oct.

Source: http://www.9news.com/news/local/winter-park-ski-train-returns/307205086
 
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Another Update: Amtrak has announced that the train will start January 2017 until March 2017. The train is called the Amtrak Winter Park Express.
 
Hmmm.....interesting....they mention a "new platform" was being constructed....if so, I wonder if this will be the end of the Zephyr stopping at Fraser to serve Winter Park?

It would be more convenient to actually get off at the ski resort....
 
Any idea of the consist? I'm guessing a few Superliner Coaches and either a SSL or Heartland Flyer-type Cafe Coach. I know Horizons are out because they don't like cold and snow and I've seen Amfleet vestibules fill up with snow as well.
 
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It's a shame Iowa Pacific didn't get this... I would pay dearly to ride in the IP full domes and get true first class service and food ala the Hoosier State.

It's still a huge positive though!
 
Amtrak will be happy to provide dome car, and 1st class service. If your will to pay for it. So if Amtrak has teamed up with a ski resort they might be contracted to provide dome car, and 1st class service. Never say Never,
 
Amtrak will be happy to provide dome car, and 1st class service. If your will to pay for it. So if Amtrak has teamed up with a ski resort they might be contracted to provide dome car, and 1st class service. Never say Never,
Despite myself and tax payers paying dearly, I've yet to see Amtrak be capable of delivering consistent first class service. They do have a full dome though so that part could happen!
 
Update:

Winter Park Express trains will run roundtrip from Denver Union Station to the slopes of Winter Park on Saturdays and Sundays from January 7 through March 26, 2017.

Additional round trips are schedule for Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day.
The train, which can hold over 500 passengers, will depart from Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrive at the resort at about 9 a.m.

Trains will depart from the resort at 4:30 p.m. and return to Denver at 6:40 p.m.

The idea behind the train is for passengers to ditch the heavy ski traffic on I-70 and U.S. 40 by enjoying a comfortable and scenic ride to the slopes by train.

Tickets start out at $39 each way, and go on sale August 30. For adults traveling with children ages 2-12, two children per ticketed adult can receive the half-priced ticket.
winter%20park_1472146950456_5831492_ver1.0.jpg


So there we have it.

Source: http://www.9news.com/sports/ski/winter-park-ski-train-ticket-details-announced/308235371

(hey this is my 100th post :D )
 
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The significantly better public transit connectivity to Denver Union Station should significantly increase the appeal of this service.
Wasn't one of the deal killers the inability to purchase a one way ticket or a round trip ticket returning on a different day? What kind of marketing department would think that one up?
 
The significantly better public transit connectivity to Denver Union Station should significantly increase the appeal of this service.
Wasn't one of the deal killers the inability to purchase a one way ticket or a round trip ticket returning on a different day? What kind of marketing department would think that one up?
If you check the Winter Park Resort web site, you will see that one-way tickets are available.
 
Over 500 passengers means probably 7 SL coaches, a café car, a lounge car, and probably 2 P-42s . Being after Jan 1st that should make equipment available for this train. It is a shame that equipment would not be available during the Thanksgiving, Christmas. and New Year's seasons. Maybe if Amtrak can ever get surge equipment ? ? ?
 
The significantly better public transit connectivity to Denver Union Station should significantly increase the appeal of this service.
Wasn't one of the deal killers the inability to purchase a one way ticket or a round trip ticket returning on a different day? What kind of marketing department would think that one up?
The original intent of the ski train was to allow day trips from Denver to the municipally-owned ski slopes. Overnight passengers could take other trains. it looks like one-way, overnight and even week-long trips are now possible.
 
The significantly better public transit connectivity to Denver Union Station should significantly increase the appeal of this service.
Wasn't one of the deal killers the inability to purchase a one way ticket or a round trip ticket returning on a different day? What kind of marketing department would think that one up?
The original Ski Train was intended to only serve Denver day skier's, not those planning a longer stay. The original Ski Train was sponsored by the youth oriented Eskimo Ski Club.

As a matter of fact, the Winter Park area (owned by the Denver Parks Department), for a long time didn't even have much to offer in the way of lodging.

That is no longer the case.

In any event, the CZ should be able to serve those staying longer...
 
This all sounds like great and welcome news, but I can't help but have some qualms, mostly logistical.

This won't be the old Ski Train, steam-heated with reversible benches, or the later streamliner, but modern Superliners. Riders won't arrive ready to skI. Imagine dozens of pairs of ski boots clunking up and down that spiral stairway. Obviousy neither skis or boots will be allowed upstairs. I'm curious how skis will be handled on the train. A baggage car? Then there's a delay while skiers are matched up with their skis.

Parking looks scarce around the Station, but there are indoor paid lots that ought to be available in off-peak morning hours. We're at the mercy of what those lots want to charge by the day.

The price may better of the budget of the out-of-town visitor than the Denver day skier. It would be interesting to watch skiers packed for a week's vacation wedging onto one of the new DIA commuter trains. After that experience, they'll probably take a cab or shuttle ride back.

I hope this succeeds, and I think it might. There's so much prosperity around Denver these days that a $200 ski day doesn't faze them, 500 a day, anyway. I'm for anything that gives more folks access to he Rockies by rail, but this will be a different experience. How I wish that Iowa Pacific was doing it instead!
 
This all sounds like great and welcome news, but I can't help but have some qualms, mostly logistical.

This won't be the old Ski Train, steam-heated with reversible benches, or the later streamliner, but modern Superliners. Riders won't arrive ready to skI. Imagine dozens of pairs of ski boots clunking up and down that spiral stairway. Obviousy neither skis or boots will be allowed upstairs. I'm curious how skis will be handled on the train. A baggage car? Then there's a delay while skiers are matched up with their skis.

Parking looks scarce around the Station, but there are indoor paid lots that ought to be available in off-peak morning hours. We're at the mercy of what those lots want to charge by the day.

The price may better of the budget of the out-of-town visitor than the Denver day skier. It would be interesting to watch skiers packed for a week's vacation wedging onto one of the new DIA commuter trains. After that experience, they'll probably take a cab or shuttle ride back.

I hope this succeeds, and I think it might. There's so much prosperity around Denver these days that a $200 ski day doesn't faze them, 500 a day, anyway. I'm for anything that gives more folks access to he Rockies by rail, but this will be a different experience. How I wish that Iowa Pacific was doing it instead!
Wow, we actually get back a train that went away and there are complaints that the train isn't using crappy old equipment.
 
Update:

Winter Park Express trains will run ... Saturdays and Sundays from January 7 through March 26, 2017. Additional trips are scheduled for Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day.
The train, which can hold over 500 passengers, will depart from Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrive at the resort at about 9 a.m. Trains will depart from the resort at 4:30 p.m. and return to Denver at 6:40 p.m.
winter%20park_1472146950456_5831492_ver1.0.jpg


(hey this is my 100th post :D )
(Congratulations on your 100th post. And it's a goodie, too!)

This great news for its own sake, but also, the ski train will surely help the Amtrak "brand". We can expect to see favorable coverage of an appealing and photogenic service to appear in Colorado media and elsewhere.

Wonder how Amtrak will report the results? Maybe 20,000 riders, not to be sneezed at. So a new line in the Monthly Report? Or just a sweet little blip in the Zephyr's numbers? It's all good.

Would love to learn the back story. Could this possibly be the result of an initiative from Amtrak? Or does all credit for the re-start of service go to the resort?
 
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There is no crappy old equipment, Mike, just poorly maintained equipment that's the problem. The older single-level cars would seem to be better suited to handle bundled-up, ski-booted riders, plus picnic coolers and gear. The old Union Station neighborhood, before it became LoDo, was more accommodating to parking and dropoffs. That's how a local sees who has ridden most generations of Ski Train equipment, plus the CZ and the RGZ.
 
Hmmm.....interesting....they mention a "new platform" was being constructed....if so, I wonder if this will be the end of the Zephyr stopping at Fraser to serve Winter Park?

It would be more convenient to actually get off at the ski resort....
The new platform is ADA compliant and will be served by the Winter Park Express only. The Zephyr will continue to call at Fraser and will not stop at the new Winter Park platform.

Any idea of the consist? I'm guessing a few Superliner Coaches and either a SSL or Heartland Flyer-type Cafe Coach. I know Horizons are out because they don't like cold and snow and I've seen Amfleet vestibules fill up with snow as well.
Four Superliner Coaches and four Superliner Baggage Coaches. No food service - BYOF and BYONAD. (Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Drinks)
 
This all sounds like great and welcome news, but I can't help but have some qualms, mostly logistical.

This won't be the old Ski Train, steam-heated with reversible benches, or the later streamliner, but modern Superliners. Riders won't arrive ready to skI. Imagine dozens of pairs of ski boots clunking up and down that spiral stairway. Obviousy neither skis or boots will be allowed upstairs. I'm curious how skis will be handled on the train. A baggage car? Then there's a delay while skiers are matched up with their skis.

When they did the trial run last January, Coach-Baggage cars were used for the skis, and apparently worked well, so that will the solution next time.
 
There's 40 or so Baggage Coaches, and I think the Portland side of the Builder is the only train that truly requires a Baggage Coach on a daily basis. Leaves plenty of surplus options available thanks to the delivery of the Viewliner Bag Cars.
 
I will agree the parking at Union Station isn't good. That's one thing that concerned me when they announced the renovations at the station. As a local that takes the CZ at least a couple times a year, I'm thankful I can be at least dropped off or take the Light Rail.
 
Trust me you don't want an all IP equipment train. From someone who works with their equipment regularly it isn't good. While it looks good from the outside (most times) inside is a totally different ball game. And I'm always cursing those cars. The domes may be nice for passengers. But for the things you don't notice the cars aren't in the best of shape.
 
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