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Even before we engorge ourselves with a Thanksgiving feast and deal with the annual Black Friday frenzy, many travelers are already dreaming of sunny escapes.

Leaves are still falling and menus continue highlighting pumpkin spice concoctions, but winter adventures are right around the corner.

Some of us seek sun-kissed shores while others embrace the magic of winter by digging up snowboards and skis from storage ready to carve up the slopes.

If the latter is more your vibe, then you can’t miss Amtrak’s Winter Express train passing through the majestic Rockies, taking you to a top-rated ski resort as well as a Colorado hidden gem.

Better yet, fares are as low as $19 if you act fast. Plus, bringing your own skis and snowboard as a carry-on is absolutely free of charge!

Depart From Denver

Backdropped by the Rockies is Colorado’s largest city with riverside trails, vivid green parks, trendy restaurants, and a thriving craft beer scene, not just silver cans that light up blue.

Despite being a mountainous city dubbed ‘Mile High’, it’s actually quite pleasant in winter; not nearly as frigid as you might suspect.

As such, to take advantage of a quintessential ‘white Christmas’ and satisfy your winter wanderlust, you gotta go deep into the mountains.

And what better way than to only spend $19 for a domed-window seat to observe some of Colorado’s prettiest scenery as you glide through the snow-capped Rockies and blanketed valleys?

Whether passing through or a proud ‘Denverite’, hopping aboard the Winter Express is the best option for a ski trip to avoid the slick, winding mountain roads.

I mean, why deal with tire chains when you can let a conductor do all the work?

The train departs from Denver’s timeless Union Station. If you’ve never been, it’s worth visiting just to be in awe of this Beaux Arts masterpiece.

You can purchase tickets on Amtrak’s app or website, or in-person at the station.

Beginning December 20, 2024, the train departs Denver at 7am, arriving at skiing hotspot Winter Park Resort at 9:11am only on weekends.

Service will increase from January 9, 2025, through March 31, 2025 (excluding Tuesday and Wednesday).

Winter Park Resort: A Top-Rated Adventure

Winter Park Resort proudly boasts front and center they are the ‘Top Ski Resort in North America’.

This place is astounding and truly has it all. From lush forestry, gleaming snow-covered landscape, and never-ending things to do, such as Snowcat Tours and Glow Night Tubing, why would you go anywhere else?

The options are endless here, and it doesn’t matter your level of experience hitting the slopes. In fact, their experts will teach you on-site.

Stays range from cozy lodges to spacious townhomes, many of which are near the gondola for easy access to start your day off right with epic mountain views.

Visitors have their choice to purchase daily lift tickets or season passes, depending on how long you anticipate being here.

Try to book daily tickets at least 48 hours in advance to score big savings!

The train arrives from Denver at the WPR station, where you can choose to hop off for an unforgettable ski trip or continue onward to the route’s newest stop, Fraser.

Last Stop: Fraser, Colorado’s Authentic Mountain Town

Fraser is a lesser-known mountain town well under the radar for most travelers. Here, you can find a charming village not curated to tourists unlike the glitz, glamour, and chain-laden eyesores of Aspen, for example.

In Fraser, what you see is what you get, and you’ll like what you see. You can learn about the town’s history at the Cozens Ranch Museum and mingle with locals at their favorite hole-in-the-wall eateries like The Back Bowl, where brisket burritos are to die for.

Fraser is best served as a gateway for winter sports, however. Expect cheaper stays at mid-tier chains and even the MeadowRidge Resort – but just know the fun police run things around here, enforcing a strict ‘no alcohol’ policy.

Don’t fret though; you can enjoy some adult beverages on the train’s two-level Sightseer Lounge providing elevated views up top and snacks and drinks on the bottom.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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‘Leaf peepers’ may be in full force scoping out vibrant foliage across the continent, but before you know it, snow will soon transform those very same tree lines into vast winter wonderlands.

Colorado is one of the top places for such an excursion where the gorgeous Rockies are dotted with delightful towns perfect for a winter escape.

Airlines have surely taken notice, adding a handful of new flights to one underrated Colorado town with village-like streets and wondrous mountains as a picture-perfect backdrop.

While Aspen may be the household name of Colorado’s numerous small-town mountainous getaways, it’s time to set your sights on Vail this winter, as it’s easier to reach than ever before.

Alaska’s New Flight To Vail

Typically popular along the West Coast and Mexico, Alaska couldn’t help but dip their toes in Colorado’s frigid winter waters by adding Vail as one of their newest destinations.

However, the airline is no stranger to Colorado’s beauty, as it also flies to Denver, Aspen, and a boatload of hidden gems, such as Steamboat Springs.

In other words, adding Vail to the list is long overdue. So who are the lucky 2 cities that get to fly nonstop come December?

Well, in typical Alaska fashion, 2 of the West Coast’s best cities are the big winners. Those would be Seattle and San Diego.

Beginning December 20th, both Washingtonians and Southern Californians can get their winter splendor fix with direct flights to Vail.

Frontier’s New Flight To Vail

Say what you want about Frontier, but they have stood the test of time in the rapidly changing budget airline industry, and kudos to them.

Despite many of us feeling sorry for their PR team with bad press issued left and right in recent years, the proud low-cost carrier recently announced in tandem with fellow cheapo Spirit they are dropping cancelations and change fees on all flights to become more flyer-friendly.

The airline has announced multiple new flights in recent months, but Vail may stand out the most in their surprisingly impressive network for winter escapes.

Obviously, Frontier knows Colorado like the back of its headrests, which is based in Denver. But truth be told, it’s a good thing they’re adding Vail because a winter drive through the backroads from Denver is a tough trek!

The 2 lucky cities with direct routes to Eagle County Airport (EGE) are Dallas/Fort Worth and San Francisco.

Initial flights out of DFW will begin December 16th and a few days later out of SFO on December 19th. Both cities will operate flights twice per week for Frontier’s first-ever routes to Vail.

No Better Place To Hit The Slopes!

Since all new flights are slated for the week before Christmas, are you thinking what I’m thinking?

December is when Vail truly becomes a quintessential “winter wonderland”, almost is if you’re stuck inside a snowglobe you don’t want to escape.

The mountains gleam with fresh powdery snow, providing ideal conditions for skiers and snowboarders throughout the month and into the new year.

Better yet, unlike the movie that put Aspen on the map, you won’t be saying to yourself, ‘I expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this’, with over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain to shred, bruh. 🤙

The slopes are suitable for beginners, experts, and anyone in between, but these 3 runs are the most sought-after according to Snow.com:

• Dealer’s Choice
• Born Free
• Look Ma

On the flip side, Snow.com also recommends these 3 ‘Legendary Back Bowls’:

‘Tis The Season For Magical Stays And Picturesque Streets

You’ll definitely want to pack your winter-wear, not just for skiing, but for perusing the magical town center lined with trendy bars, boutique shops, and opulent hotels boasting stunning views.

Visiting the unmissable Lionshead Village is a must and feels borderline European. Here is a great spot to make your base in between your ski/snowboarding adventures.

But where should you rest up? That’s a tough question since there’s so many great places to stay!

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 3 luxury Vail hotels this winter:

• Austria Haus Hotel, A Destination By Hyatt Hotel
• Grand Hyatt Vail
• Tivoli Lodge

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.