11 Colorado Winter Train Rides With Breathtaking Rocky Mountain Snow Views
There’s a quiet magic to Colorado winters that always calls to my soul.
It’s not just the crisp, clean air or the hushed beauty of falling snow; it’s the sheer, monumental scale of the mountains, made even more majestic under a thick, glistening blanket of white.
For me, the absolute best way to truly absorb this grandeur, without the biting cold, is from the warmth of a train car, watching the incredible Rocky Mountain vistas unfold.
Having chased this feeling on countless journeys, I’ve gathered my top 11 Colorado winter train rides that truly capture that breathtaking, snow-laden wonder.
1. California Zephyr: Denver To Glenwood Springs
Amtrak’s legendary California Zephyr carves a path through some of the most jaw-dropping terrain in North America, and the Denver to Glenwood Springs stretch might just be its crown jewel.
Panoramic windows frame the snowy Rockies like moving postcards as the train navigates steep grades and tight curves.
Glenwood Canyon becomes especially magical under winter’s white blanket, with the Colorado River snaking alongside icy cliffs.
The dome cars offer 360-degree views that turn even the grumpiest traveler into a wide-eyed kid pressed against the glass.
Pack snacks, charge your camera, and settle in for one of America’s most scenic rail journeys without fighting mountain highway traffic.
2. Winter Park Express: Denver’s Ski Train
Forget white-knuckling your way up I-70 in a blizzard.
The Winter Park Express whisks skiers and snowboarders from Denver Union Station straight to the slopes every winter weekend, cutting through pine forests dusted with fresh powder.
Two hours of scenery beats two hours of brake-tapping any day.
Large windows showcase evergreens bowing under snow’s weight and frozen streams glinting in winter sunlight.
Families, solo adventurers, and groups of friends all share the communal buzz of anticipation as the mountains grow closer.
You’ll arrive relaxed, caffeinated, and ready to carve turns instead of arriving frazzled from navigating icy switchbacks and hunting for parking spots.
3. Cascade Canyon Winter Train: Durango & Silverton
Steam billows into crisp winter air as this narrow-gauge marvel chugs alongside the Animas River into Cascade Canyon.
Snow-dusted cliffs tower overhead while the rhythmic chug-chug-chug of the locomotive creates a soundtrack straight out of the Old West.
Heated vintage coaches keep passengers cozy while the wilderness outside looks utterly untamed.
The shorter winter route concentrates all the drama into a manageable round-trip perfect for families or anyone craving adventure without committing to a full-day excursion.
Photographers practically wear out their shutter buttons capturing steam against snow.
Bundle up for brief platform stops where the cold air smells like pine and possibility.
4. The Polar Express Train Ride: Durango & Silverton
Hot chocolate, pajamas, and the magic of belief come together on this beloved holiday tradition that brings the classic storybook to life.
Conductors punch golden tickets while singing chefs serve cookies and the landscape outside transforms into the North Pole’s backyard.
Southwestern Colorado’s snowy peaks provide an authentic winter wonderland backdrop that no movie set could replicate.
Kids press noses to frosted windows watching for reindeer while parents secretly enjoy the nostalgia just as much.
The experience captures childhood wonder in a way that feels increasingly rare in our screen-saturated world.
Reserve tickets early because this seasonal favorite sells out faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.
5. Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure: Georgetown Loop Railroad
High in the Front Range, this narrow-gauge engineering marvel loops back over itself via the famous High Bridge, creating photo opportunities that look photoshopped but aren’t.
Winter transforms the route into a snow-globe scene, with evergreens frosted white and the vintage train looking like it rolled straight out of a Victorian Christmas card.
Holiday-themed departures add festive cheer with visits from Santa himself, making this a multi-generational crowd-pleaser.
My nephew wouldn’t stop talking about the bridge for weeks afterward, convinced we’d ridden through the clouds.
The short route packs maximum scenery into minimum time, perfect for families with restless little ones or visitors squeezing in Colorado charm between other adventures.
6. Royal Gorge Route Railroad Winter Trains
Few train rides can compete with the sheer drama of rolling through the Royal Gorge, where granite walls soar over a thousand feet straight up from the Arkansas River.
Winter adds another layer of spectacle as ice formations cling to cliff faces and snow highlights every crevasse and ledge.
Dome and observation cars position passengers for maximum gawking potential.
The heated vintage coaches feel especially luxurious when you’re watching winter’s fury safely from inside with a meal and beverage service.
Multiple departure options let you choose between brunch, lunch, or dinner with your scenery.
This geological wonder becomes even more striking when nature decorates it with icicles and snow.
7. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad Winter Express
At over 10,000 feet elevation, Leadville already sits higher than most Colorado ski resorts, so when you board the Winter Express, you’re starting your journey in the clouds.
Heated vintage cars feel like rolling time capsules as they climb even higher into snowy valleys framed by some of Colorado’s tallest peaks.
The thin air makes the sunshine feel extra bright against all that white.
This historic mining railroad showcases a quieter, less-visited side of the Rockies where elk outnumber tourists.
The slower pace lets you actually absorb the landscape instead of just photographing it in a blur.
Bring layers because stepping outside at stops reminds you just how high you’ve climbed.
8. Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Climbing toward one of Colorado’s most famous fourteeners, this cog railway tackles grades that would make regular trains slide backward.
Winter trips trade the summit experience for spectacular mid-mountain panoramas where snow blankets everything as far as your eyes can focus.
The engineering alone impresses, but add winter’s transformation and you’ve got something truly special.
Heated modern cars feature huge windows angled for maximum viewing as you ascend through multiple climate zones.
What starts as foothills quickly becomes alpine tundra wrapped in winter’s quiet beauty.
Even partial ascents deliver views that explain why Katharine Lee Bates wrote America the Beautiful after visiting this peak.
9. The Polar Express At Colorado Railroad Museum
Golden’s railroad museum transforms into the North Pole every holiday season, offering Front Range families an accessible dose of Polar Express magic without the drive to Durango.
The foothills setting provides just enough snowy scenery to feel authentic while keeping the focus on the experience itself.
Pajama-clad kids of all ages climb aboard vintage coaches where the story unfolds exactly as you remember.
Being closer to Denver makes this version perfect for families with young children or anyone wanting the full experience in a shorter timeframe.
The museum setting adds educational value for train enthusiasts who arrive early to explore.
It’s proof that magic doesn’t require remote destinations, just a little imagination and the right setting.
10. Santa’s Holiday Express: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Straddling the Colorado-New Mexico border, this National Historic Landmark operates America’s longest and highest narrow-gauge railroad, and winter turns it into something from a frontier fantasy.
Santa-themed holiday trains chug through high meadows and pine forests so remote you half expect to see prospectors panning for gold.
The narrow gauge creates an intimate connection with the landscape rushing past just feet away.
Historic authenticity runs deep here since the line has operated continuously since 1880, making your journey a genuine step back in time.
Snow transforms the already dramatic scenery into something painters struggle to capture accurately.
This is Colorado winter railroading at its most authentic and unspoiled.
11. Durango & Silverton Special Winter Excursions
Beyond the regular Cascade Canyon and Polar Express runs, the Durango & Silverton operates special winter excursions that cater to photographers, adventurers, and anyone craving unique snowy landscapes.
These trips often venture into less-traveled territory or run at optimal lighting times for capturing that perfect shot.
Steam locomotives working hard against winter conditions create dramatic contrasts of fire and ice.
Photography-focused excursions sometimes include special stops or slower speeds through particularly scenic stretches, turning the train into a mobile studio.
The changing conditions mean no two winter trips ever look quite the same.
Check their seasonal schedule because these special runs book up quickly among those seeking something beyond the standard offerings.