Winter Park Hello Internet! I am currently back at my home base in Park City, Utah, waiting for some actual snow to show up and enjoying the “logistical superiority” of having banked 6 inches of fresh Colorado powder while my Utah neighbors are still looking at grass (sorry, not sorry 😁). While I usually advocate for high-octane luxury adventure, I just wrapped a Mother-Daughter trip to Winter Park, Colorado, that proved one of my core travel philosophies: it isn’t about how much money you spend but about the memories you take home.

For this trip we really wanted to focus on pure relaxation and enjoyment, which meant we absolutely had to find a way to get to Winter Park that did not involve the usual $200-a-day SUV rental and the soul-crushing traffic of the I-70 corridor (a place where happiness goes to die). In order to do this, we opted for a “Rails-to-Trails” execution and traded brake lights for the Sightseer Lounge.

This guide is for anyone who wants to solve the Colorado logistics puzzle with a bit of wit, a lot of rail history, and zero parking fees.

A Resort Built for the People Before we dive into the logistics, it’s worth noting that Winter Park isn’t just another ski hill; it’s Colorado’s longest continuously operated resort. Founded in 1940 by the City of Denver, it was literally created to give Denverites a place to play. Its existence is entirely thanks to the Moffat Tunnel (more on that below). Because it was born as a public park for the people of Denver, it maintains a grounded, welcoming vibe that you don’t always find at the high-gloss “mega-resorts.” Although, don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy high-gloss most of the time (especially on my nails!)

The Staging Ground: Denver’s Union Station

Denver Union Station Our strategy started the moment we landed at Denver International Airport (DIA). If you’ve ever tried to navigate a rental car shuttle with multiple bags (including a massive ski bag), you know it’s a special kind of hell. Instead, we hopped on the A-Line train ($10.00) directly to Union Station.

We stayed at a hotel within a two-block radius of the station. In the world of high-value travel, “proximity to departure” is a currency. Since the Winter Park Express departs at the crack of dawn, being able to stroll to the platform with a hot latte while everyone else is scraping ice off a windshield is an undisputed win.

The Legend: The Winter Park Express

Affectionately known as the “Ski Train,” the Winter Park Express is a seasonal Amtrak service that runs Friday through Sunday. It’s been a Colorado institution since 1940, and honestly, it’s the only way to travel.

The train features a Sightseer Lounge which is a double-decker car with wrap-around windows and a little cafe where you can get snacks and (most importantly) a train mimosa! The train pulls out of Union Station promptly at 7:00 AM, and as you climb from the plains into the Front Range, the views are genuinely staggering. You aren’t just commuting; you’re experiencing a piece of engineering history.

The Engineering Marvel: As you approach the Continental Divide, the train enters the Moffat Tunnel. Now, for the rail nerds (looking at you mom!), let’s talk about the ‘why’ behind this 6.2-mile masterpiece. It is the highest railroad tunnel in the United States at 9,239 feet and was built between 1923 and 1928 to solve a massive logistical headache for the city of Denver. Before the tunnel, trains had to climb over the treacherous Rollins Pass on a route so steep and snow-choked that it often took 24 hours to travel just 65 miles! Denver’s local hero, David Moffat, envisioned this tunnel as a way to put the city on the main transcontinental line. Sadly, he died penniless before it was finished, but the tunnel today remains a monument to his grit.

After the approximately 2 hour ride, the train drops you off right beside the Gemini Express lift. You step off the platform and you’re at the resort. No shuttles, no “Lot G” buses, no drama.

The Stay: The Vintage Hotel & Village Cabriolet

Village Cabriolet

We stayed at the Vintage Hotel. In a world where slopeside lodging can bankrupt you, the Vintage is definitely a “value” hotel. While the hotel itself is a bit dated, it’s also actually in the resort which is a big plus if you don’t want to drive or tromp on and off a bus in ski boots all week. The hotel has a mix of suites, kitchenette rooms and traditional hotel rooms; it also has an outdoor pool, hot tub, game lounge, bar and one killer logistical advantage: The Village Cabriolet.

The Village Cabriolet Advantage: The Vintage Hotel is technically across the road from the main base area, but it’s connected by a free, open-air “bucket” gondola called the Cabriolet. It runs constantly from early morning to early evening and drops you right at the village. It turns a “budget” location into a “prime” location in about three minutes of scenic gliding.

Beyond the Slopes: High-Value Fun at the Base

While Mom and I were there for the skiing, Winter Park has some of the best “off-mountain” activities in Colorado. If your legs need a break (or you just want to act like a kid again), there is one non-negotiable stop.

The Coca-Cola Tube Park

Glow Session Tubing Located literally behind the Vintage Hotel, this isn’t your average neighborhood sledding hill. It’s a state-of-the-art facility featuring four distinct lanes with banked curves designed to feel like a winter water slide.

  • The Covered Conveyor: A covered “magic carpet” lift transports you back to the top. No hiking up the hill in heavy boots.

  • The Hill House: Once you’ve had your fill of G-forces, head into the Hill House warming lodge for hot cocoa and fresh-baked cookies.

  • After Dark “Glow” Sessions: If you’re visiting on a Friday or Saturday, check for the nighttime tubing sessions. They light up the banks with colorful neon LEDs, turning the whole hill into a mountain-top disco. It is super fun and makes for some incredible photos.

TCT Tip: Tickets for the Tube Park sell out fast—especially on weekends. Book your time slot online well in advance. If you’re staying at the Vintage, you can stroll right out of the hotel and be at the hill. This is excellent if you do the night time session as the time from tube to hot tub is practically 0 minutes!

The Refuel: 3 Must-Visit Dining Highlights

Skiing (and tubing) requires a strategic intake of calories. Winter Park’s dining scene ranges from “grab-and-go sugar” to “mountaintop elegance.” Here are my top three:

1. The Waffle Cabin Looking Glass Lift You will smell this place before you see it. With several locations around the mountain, the Waffle Cabin serves Liège-style Belgian sugar waffles. They are buttery, crunchy, and absolutely essential when drizzled in Belgian chocolate or dusted in cinnamon sugar (my fave!).

For a true “recharge” moment, head to the Waffle Cabin tucked between the Olympia and Looking Glass lifts. This spot is special because the Looking Glass lift is a total time machine. You can sit and watch it run or better, take your waffle to go and enjoy it on the lift. It is the ultimate taste-bud-pleasing reward for a morning of “rigorous mountain research” (aka not falling in front of the lift line).

What makes the Looking Glass special? It’s a 1963 Riblet double chair—one of the oldest still spinning on the mountain. In a world of high-speed six-packs, the Looking Glass is the “slow travel” of skiing. It’s part of the resort’s Alice in Wonderland themed area (you’ll see trails like Jabberwocky and White Rabbit nearby), and it offers a quiet, nostalgic view of the trees that you just don’t get when you’re rushing.

2. Mountaintop Après at Sunspot

For the ultimate luxury-adventure vibe, you have to hit Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge. Located at 10,700 feet at the top of the Gondola, it offers panoramic views of the Continental Divide.

The Après Special: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, they host Mountaintop Après with live music and drink specials. The Gondola is free after 4:00 PM for these events. You get the multi-million dollar views without needing a lift ticket.

3. Snoasis

Situated mid-mountain, Snoasis is a classic on-mountain lodge with a great retro feel. It’s the perfect spot to grab a burger or a cocktail and sit on the deck to watch the skiers navigate the terrain park.

The Planning Deep Dive: The California Zephyr Secret

California Zephyr

The Winter Park Express only runs on weekends. Since our trip extended into Monday, we used the “secret” ski train: The California Zephyr.

The Zephyr is Amtrak’s daily long-haul route from Chicago to San Francisco. It stops at the Fraser/Winter Park station, making it the perfect weekday alternative to return to Denver.

Zephyr Trivia for the Rail Nerds

The Big Ten Curves: On the descent into Denver, the train navigates a series of massive loops to lose elevation. It’s a 270-degree curve named for its 10-degree radius. This is a legendary photo spot—because of the tight curvature, you can look out the window and see the front of your own train already passing through the curves ahead of you. It’s the ultimate shot for your Instagram feed.

The Windbreak: In the middle of the curve, there is a row of hopper rail cars filled with concrete and welded to the tracks. They serve as a permanent windblock for this notoriously windy stretch of track.

Final Thoughts

This trip was a reminder that luxury isn’t always about the price tag; it’s about the seamlessness of the experience. Seeing Mom confidently navigate those blue runs while knowing we had a warm train car and a cold drink waiting for us at the end of the day? That’s the real win.

Things are a bit hectic at Tabby Cat HQ right now, so I’m letting the dart land wherever it wants for the next trip. Keep an eye on my Instagram to see where I end up next!

Until next time—keep it effortless, and for heaven’s sake, stay off I-70.