Goodbye Winterpark Ski Train, so sorry to see you go. - Snowboarding Forum

**killclimbz** · 04-22-2009, 09:10 AM

Talk about a huge loss. I guess it can't really be a surprise, the Ski Train from Denver to Winterpark never made any money. It was so much fun though. Nothing like having an easy ride up in the morning, eating breakfast burritos, drinking coffee, or just sleeping through the ride. Then on the way back, getting ripped in the bar car on the way home was a riot. It's been about six years since I've taken it. Tried to put a trip together this year, but it failed. Now I am regretting that I didn't try harder.

Quote:

DENVER - The last Ski Train to Winter Park has left Union Station.

A spokesman for Denver businessman Phil Anschutz confirmed late Tuesday that the train operation is being bought and moved to Canada by a subsidiary of the Canadian National Railway Co.

The subsidiary, Algoma Central Railway Inc., already operates a Snow Train from its headquarters in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
The sale ends ski train service between Denver and Winter Park that began in 1940.

Rest of the article here.

Definitely the end of something good.

gidget_man · 04-22-2009, 12:42 PM

That is a bummer, I was thinking about hitting that up next year as part of a big trip. Transworld Snowboarding just did an article on the Ski Train this past January or February if I remember right, it really talked it up well.

daysailer1 · 09-10-2009, 01:46 PM

All hope is not lost. They may get a summer tourist train around Canon City to do it in the winter. DeFrange had a meeting about it the other week down in Denver.

I actually worked for Ski School on the Ski Train this past spring. Good to know I made some of the last few trips on it. It was so much fun and a great way to get to work. Hop on the bus in Broomfield to Union Station, jump on the Train, sell lesson vouchers and get paid, jump off train, go get into uniform, go work and get paid, take train then bus back home.

I took this shot back in January. I was standing out back next to the tracks talking with some co-workers when a tourist came up and asked us when the Ski Train would show up. I said anytime between 9 and 10 AM. Tourist said "that precise?". I said "yeah it all depends upon the freight train schedules and Amtrack". About that time I felt a small rumbling from the track and the really really distant grumble coming from the Moffatt Tunnel. I said "hang on, you're in luck. It's going to pop out in less than 3 minutes".

Guess what popped out? I had my camera ready.

**killclimbz** · 09-10-2009, 02:15 PM

I have been following the developments over bringing the ski train back. They should. There is a major obstacle though Reason To Drive (RTD) are being dicks over allowing the train access to the Union Station location. They were the major reason the train got sold in the first place. It's going to take some pressure from the Governor's and/or Mayor's office to get them to play along.

daysailer1 · 09-10-2009, 02:30 PM

I'm more worried about rail access than RTD. The Ski Train was always third in line. Freight first, Amtrak second, ski train third on that line. Union Pacific makes it extremely difficult to do business on that line.

They are going to have to have a temp station for Amtrak anyway during the Union Station redevelopment. It would be easy to get a second line for the Ski Train in there. The Mayor and the Gov can take on RTD, they may have less success with UP and public perception about underwriting the Ski Train business.

**killclimbz** · 09-10-2009, 03:10 PM

Regardless of the train lines, RTD is the hang up. They have not made any commitment to giving the ski train any sort of station pick up/drop off and parking access. All other things at least have an agreement for the train to operate.

**killclimbz** · 09-10-2009, 03:13 PM

The pecking order is going to remain the same as it was before the ski train left btw.

**killclimbz** · 09-10-2009, 04:16 PM

RTD is the metro bus and light rail service in the Denver Metro area. Regional Tranportation District, but more like Reason To Drive. They kind of suck. Anyway, they purchased Union Station and the associated parking that goes along with it. They have been less than forthcoming to say they will help accommodate the ski train and the parking for the ski train riders.

tomtom88 · 09-10-2009, 04:20 PM

RTD is our local transportation company, they have light rails and buses.

FLuiD · 09-10-2009, 04:59 PM

I never rode it personally. Only went to WP, took to long, and to many dirty/stinky rude skiiers for me!

09-10-2009, 01:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
daysailer1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Winter Park & Boulder County, CO Posts: 316	All hope is not lost. They may get a summer tourist train around Canon City to do it in the winter. DeFrange had a meeting about it the other week down in Denver. I actually worked for Ski School on the Ski Train this past spring. Good to know I made some of the last few trips on it. It was so much fun and a great way to get to work. Hop on the bus in Broomfield to Union Station, jump on the Train, sell lesson vouchers and get paid, jump off train, go get into uniform, go work and get paid, take train then bus back home. I took this shot back in January. I was standing out back next to the tracks talking with some co-workers when a tourist came up and asked us when the Ski Train would show up. I said anytime between 9 and 10 AM. Tourist said "that precise?". I said "yeah it all depends upon the freight train schedules and Amtrack". About that time I felt a small rumbling from the track and the really really distant grumble coming from the Moffatt Tunnel. I said "hang on, you're in luck. It's going to pop out in less than 3 minutes". Guess what popped out? I had my camera ready. __________________ Atomic Cold Smoke 157 Burton Triads Salomon Dialogues Last edited by daysailer1; 09-10-2009 at 01:55 PM.

09-10-2009, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
daysailer1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Winter Park & Boulder County, CO Posts: 316	I'm more worried about rail access than RTD. The Ski Train was always third in line. Freight first, Amtrak second, ski train third on that line. Union Pacific makes it extremely difficult to do business on that line. They are going to have to have a temp station for Amtrak anyway during the Union Station redevelopment. It would be easy to get a second line for the Ski Train in there. The Mayor and the Gov can take on RTD, they may have less success with UP and public perception about underwriting the Ski Train business. __________________ Atomic Cold Smoke 157 Burton Triads Salomon Dialogues

09-10-2009, 04:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
tomtom88 -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,639	RTD is our local transportation company, they have light rails and buses. __________________ Take yourself to higher places.

09-10-2009, 04:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
FLuiD Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Denver, CO USA Earth Posts: 957	I never rode it personally. Only went to WP, took to long, and to many dirty/stinky rude skiiers for me! __________________ on Backcountry.com! http://twitter.com/Mr_FLuiD

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04-22-2009, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
gidget_man Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 65	That is a bummer, I was thinking about hitting that up next year as part of a big trip. Transworld Snowboarding just did an article on the Ski Train this past January or February if I remember right, it really talked it up well.

09-10-2009, 02:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,179	I have been following the developments over bringing the ski train back. They should. There is a major obstacle though Reason To Drive (RTD) are being dicks over allowing the train access to the Union Station location. They were the major reason the train got sold in the first place. It's going to take some pressure from the Governor's and/or Mayor's office to get them to play along.

09-10-2009, 03:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,179	Regardless of the train lines, RTD is the hang up. They have not made any commitment to giving the ski train any sort of station pick up/drop off and parking access. All other things at least have an agreement for the train to operate.

09-10-2009, 03:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,179	The pecking order is going to remain the same as it was before the ski train left btw.

09-10-2009, 04:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,179	RTD is the metro bus and light rail service in the Denver Metro area. Regional Tranportation District, but more like Reason To Drive. They kind of suck. Anyway, they purchased Union Station and the associated parking that goes along with it. They have been less than forthcoming to say they will help accommodate the ski train and the parking for the ski train riders.