Colorado’s ski train takes you from Denver to the slopes in one easy ride

After a seven-year hiatus, Colorado’s ski train, which ran from Denver to the Winter Park ski resort from 1940 to 2009, is back.

The train, a longtime tradition in the Centennial State, will begin making runs beginning Jan. 7 and will continue every weekend and holiday through March 26.

Thanks to a new commuter line running from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Union Station in downtown Denver, from which the Winter Park Express departs, visiting skiers and snowboarders can get to Winter Park Resort without renting or even getting into a car during their stay.

Tickets may be purchased at Winter Park’s website. One-way adult fares start at $39.

In addition to the ski train, new airline service means visitors can reach seven resorts within a two-hour drive of Denver (DEN) and more easily access Colorado Ski Country USA’s 21 member resorts.

Aspen Snowmass will have new daily nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) this winter and welcomes the return of nonstop flights from Salt Lake City (SLC), all operated by Delta.

These additional flights begin Dec. 17, when Delta also resumes seasonal daily nonstop flights from Atlanta (ATL) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), which allows for connections from virtually the entire Delta network.

A new flight operated by Alaska Airlines into Steamboat/Hayden (HDN) from San Diego International Airport (SAN) will give Southern Californians a chance to experience Steamboat’s legendary powder, with flights operating twice a week Dec. 17 to March 25.

Looking to capture Southern Californians headed for ski resorts in Southwestern Colorado, three airlines this winter will offer direct flights from LAX to Montrose (which is 65 miles from Telluride; 68 miles from Silverton; 83 miles from Purgatory).

American will fly daily Dec. 15-April 2. United will fly Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 17-March 26. Allegiant will fly Wednesdays and Saturdays, Dec. 17-March 26. For more details, contact carriers or Visit Telluride.

Or you can fly from Denver (DEN) on a new Allegiant Airlines flight servicing Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ). It flies twice weekly with one-way fares as low as $44.

For a full list of flights into and out of Denver to Colorado’s eight regional airports and for direct flights into airports serving the ski resorts, check out coloradoski.com/traveling.

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