The Ski Train was first introduced in the 1940’s and primarily used by the Eskimo Ski Club. In the late 1980’s the Ansco Investment Company purchased the train and updated the railcars. In fact, the vintage railcars were sold to the Napa Valley Wine Train in California. The Ski Train takes about 2 hours and begins in Denver, travels through the Moffat Tunnel, and ends at the base of Winter Park Ski Resort. The Ski Train railcars consist of coach seating and luxury club dome/sleeper, business, or parlor seating. The dome railcar consists of a glass top that allows 180° views of the Rocky Mountain’s. Club seating also includes continental breakfast and après ski snacks on the return trip.   During the winter season the train runs every Saturday and Sunday, and during the high season the train also may run on Thursday and Friday. During the summer the train runs on Saturdays. The Ski Train continues to be one of the most exceptional and fun transportation methods for winter and summer lovers alike, providing unique views of the Rocky Mountain’s and the Winter Park area all year round. ALL ABOARD!!
On March 29th the Sol Vista Ski Area will be closing for the season. Sol Vista is located in Granby, Colorado and offers tubing, and downhill skiing. The night skiing at SolVista is a great and affordable way to enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding. Make it there before they close!
One of the best activities to do in the winter is a beginner snowshoe hike with a Visitor Center employee. This free beginner snowshoe hike is very family friendly and a great activity for those non-skiers. Snowshoes are provided. RSVP at the Visitor Center in Winter Park at 970.726.4118. There are only a few spots available so call now.
The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific railroad first supported the building of the Moffat Tunnel through David Moffat in 1902. The tunnel was proposed because of the difficulty of snow conditions due to steep grades and switch backs over Rollins Pass. Rollins pass connects James Peak and the continental divide, and snow removing from the original line made the train non-profitable to operate. Although there was overwhelming support, construction did not get underway until 1922 with the availability of funds from Denver and the Colorado government. Construction proved to be hard due to solid rock, subterranean pressures that would cave the tunnel, and water that would burst in and flood the tunnel area. Construction was completed for a cost of $18 million dollars in 1927, and begins at the east side of the Continental divide near Rollinsville and connects 6.2 miles later to the base of  the ski area of Winter Park, Colorado. Over time control of the tunnel changed hands many times, and in 1996 the Union Pacific Railroad gained control of the tunnel.  Today the Union Pacific Railroad uses the tunnel as a rail route to transport coal, freight, and water to and from Colorado’s Front Range. The rail is also used for the year round SKI TRAIN that transports skiers to and from Denver to the ski resort of Winter Park, and the west portal at the base of the ski area has become a popular icon to the town of  Winter Park and the Moffat Tunnel.
