Denver is a long drive from Glenwood Springs, but everyone should take the ski train at least once when they live or visit Colorado. The ski train leaves downtown Denver at 07:15 am from Union Station and gets to Winter Park at 9:30 for a full day of skiing. You miss all the traffic on 170 and can relax, read the paper, watch the scenery or take a nap. The train goes up through the Flatirons and over mountain passes to Winter Park. You can just imagine what it was like traveling the Rocky Mountains by train, it is a really beautiful ride. The train dumps you off right by the ticket counter at the base of the hill.

After a day on the slopes you then board the train back to town in time for dinner at any one of the great Lodo restaurants, arriving in Denver at 6:30 pm. The train has a buffet car, which serves drinks and snacks, and on the way back you can even partake in a little tipple and have a drink. The train gets pretty rowdy on the return trip with everyone enjoying a big party on the ride back to Denver.

The train leaves pretty early in the morning so we usually stay overnight in a downtown Denver hotel and then catch the train in the morning with a short walk from the hotel to the train station, just around the corner. For a fun evening check out Fodo’s Irish Bar just a short walk from the hotel. They have great Irish music and draft Guiness on tap.

The Oxford Hotel has a great deal where you get overnight accommodation, 2 round trip ski train tickets to Winter Park. You can purchase your lift tickets on the ski train for $52.00, a small savings over the price at the ticket window or you can get your tickets ahead of time at a King Soopers or Safeway. For $279.00 you get your room, train fare, free valet parking and coffee and tea in the morning. We have had a lot of fun in the past with this trip. It is not too far and makes for a great weekend escape. Check out the Ski Train photos online.

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