We are halfway into August, and for some skiers and riders, the 2026-27 ski season is less than 100 days away. Planning ski trips for the upcoming season can be exciting; however, it can also be stressful. For skiers, getting to the mountain without a vehicle can be a challenge. But there is another travel option skiers can utilize that has been around since as far back the 1820s: passenger trains. Many of America’s best ski resorts are located hours away from major cities and airports, making a rental car seem almost unavoidable. There are a handful of U.S. ski resorts that can be reached by combining Amtrak trains or another passenger train with a local bus, resort shuttle, or taxi. While some journeys are more convenient than others, these seven destinations offer some of the best opportunities to ski without having to drive.
The rankings consider the quality of the ski resort, total travel time, transportation cost, number of connections, and how practical the trip is for a skier traveling with equipment. The list does not include a ski resort simply because a train passes nearby. There needs to be a realistic way for an actual skier or snowboarder carrying gear to get from the train to the mountain without having to rent a car. The estimated transportation costs are based on typical off-peak winter coach fares and available connecting transportation. Actual prices vary by travel date, booking time, and availability.
#7. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont, features those rugged, narrow, and steep trails that the Northeast is known for while also boasting that New England charm. The resort offers more than 300 inches of average annual snowfall and 2,360 vertical feet of skiing. It is a ski destination in the Northeast that is on most skiers’ bucket lists, and getting there by train is feasible, but takes some planning.
For people coming up to Vermont from New York City, the easiest option is Amtrak’s Vermonter service north to the Waterbury-Stowe station. From there, travelers need to arrange a taxi or shuttle for the final leg of the trip to Stowe Mountain Resort. From the train station to Stowe will take about 25 to 30 minutes, and the station is not full-service. A one-way trip from NYC to the train station is $140, and a round-trip ticket costs $280. For skiers coming from New York and other Northeast cities who want to avoid driving, the Vermonter provides an alternative. The train portion of the trip makes Stowe possible without a rental car; however, the additional ground connection and relatively long journey (9 to 10 hours) keep it at number seven on this list.
#6. Sunlight Mountain Resort, Colorado
Sunlight Mountain has approximately 700 skiable acres, 2,010 feet of vertical, and a reputation for steep terrain for a relatively small, uncrowded ski area.
Travelers can board Amtrak’s California Zephyr in Denver and ride just over four hours west to Glenwood Springs. From there, Sunlight Mountain provides the Sunlight Mountain Shuttle from the Glenwood Springs station to the ski area for $12 per person round trip or $6 one-way. The resort’s shuttle has historically operated on weekends, and not throughout the week, so travelers should check the current schedule before booking their train.
The total travel time is about five hours, with a $60 one-way train ticket and a $120 round-trip ticket. It is a great option for someone looking to bypass the congestion on the I-70 corridor leaving Denver.
#5. Killington Resort, Vermont
Killington is one of the best examples of a major East Coast ski resort that can be reached without a car. The “Beast” is the largest ski resort in the East by skiable acreage, with more than 1,500 acres of terrain and 3,000-plus vertical feet.
Travelers can take Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express for $85 one way and $170 round-trip from New York City to Rutland, which takes seven and a half hours. From Rutland, the local bus system provides transportation to Killington for $3.00 per one-way trip. The train and bus combination is particularly attractive to travelers looking to save money because the final connection doesn’t require an expensive private transfer.
Looking at the overall travel time at over seven hours may seem long; however, it is one of the most practical options for skiers traveling from New York City and the Northeast.
#4. Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe might have the best combination of world-class skiing and inexpensive public transportation on this list. The ski resort offers more than 6,000 acres of skiable terrain across Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows.
From Sacramento, travelers can take the California Zephyr to Truckee, which takes about four and a half to five hours. A one-way ticket costs $45, while a round-trip tickets is $90. Once in Truckee, Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART’s) regional routes are currently free to all passengers, making the final leg from Truckee budget-friendly. Palisades also operates a free Mountaineer shuttle within Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows.
This is a hassle-free, no-stress trip in which the train will get passengers into the heart of the Truckee-Tahoe region, and free public transportation can handle the rest. One note: the California Zephyr operates once daily, so travelers need to plan around the train schedule.
#3. Whiteface Mountain, New York
Whiteface Mountain might be the most challenging destination on this list from a transportation standpoint, but the quality of the skiing makes it worth considering. The mountain has the biggest vertical drop in the East of 3,430 feet and offers some of the most challenging lift-served terrain in the Northeast. It is close to the village of Lake Placid and all the Olympic venues, giving visitors several activities and sites to see.
Amtrak’s Adirondack route travels north from New York City toward Montreal, with Westport providing the closest Amtrak station to Lake Placid. From Westport, skiers need to arrange ground transportation for the remaining trip to Lake Placid and Whiteface. The total travel time is eight hours: a one-way trip costs $150 and a round trip costs $300.
The caveat is that the final connection is the biggest weakness, because there isn’t a simple train-to-resort shuttle waiting at the station. Another factor to consider is that the estimated cost is less certain than the other entries because the Westport-to-Lake Placid connection can involve private transportation. However, for an East Coast skier without a car, it’s a way to reach one of the United States’ most historic Olympic ski mountains.
#2. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Whitefish Mountain might be the best example on this list of a resort that was practically made for a car-free ski vacation. The mountain sprawls across 3,000 skiable acres with 2,350 feet of vertical, perched above the north end of the Flathead Valley in Montana. It has a reputation as a family-friendly hill — and it absolutely delivers on that front — but scratch the surface, and you’ll find a mountain with freestyle terrain and legit backcountry access.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder runs directly into Whitefish and takes 13 to 14 hours to get to from Seattle, and costs $110 one-way and $220 round-trip. After arriving downtown, skiers can take the S.N.O.W. Bus, the Shuttle Network of Whitefish, which takes travelers directly to Whitefish Mountain Resort. What makes this trip attractive is the simplicity and ease of getting there. The S.N.O.W. Bus provides free rides between downtown Whitefish and the resort every day during the winter operating season. No tickets are required. That makes the entire traveling process very convenient.
The obvious downside is the time it takes to get from Seattle to the mountain. The train journey by itself is roughly 12½ hours before the final bus ride. Travelers coming from Chicago face an even longer trip. The upside is that the train arrives in town, the ski bus is free, and there’s no need to rent a car.
#1. Winter Park Resort, Colorado
When it comes to taking the train to hit the slopes, the Winter Park Express is arguably the best ski train in the United States because the train doesn’t simply get you close to the mountain — it takes you directly to Winter Park Resort. There is no taxi, bus, shuttle, or rental car required after stepping off the train, and that makes this a premium option for those looking for a no-hassle trip. One bonus is that there are no additional fees for persons traveling with skis and boards.
The Winter Park Express runs from Denver’s Union Station to Winter Park Resort station in approximately two and a half hours. Amtrak has advertised fares starting as low as $9 one-way, although a more realistic off-peak winter budget is approximately $20 one-way and $40 round-trip depending on the date and booking window. This trip can also be completed without a car by travelers flying into Denver. Denver International Airport is connected to Union Station by the A Line commuter rail, allowing travelers to go from the airport to Winter Park easily.
The skiing at Winter Park is top-notch and has been voted one of the best ski resorts in North America. It features 3,081 acres of skiable terrain that is divided into seven distinct territories. The glade skiing in Eagle Wind Territory, bowls in Parsenn Bowl, jumps and jibs in Terrain Park Territory, steeps and deeps in Cirque, the bumps of Mary Jane, black diamonds of Winter Park, and the powder stashes of Vasquez Ridge.
The mountain is also a top choice for beginners thanks to its expansive learning areas, gentle green terrain, and highly regarded ski and snowboard school. Unlike many resorts where novice terrain is limited to the base area, beginners can ride higher up the mountain and continue progressing on a variety of confidence-building runs. At the same time, the resort’s sizable advanced and expert terrain makes it an ideal destination for families and groups with skiers and riders of mixed abilities.
Overall, Winter Park has the best combination of a great ski resort and train travel, while Whitefish and Palisades Tahoe are arguably the most interesting trips. For East Coast skiers, Killington is the most practical option on the list. For those skiers and snowboarders looking for alternative ways to get to the mountain this season, these seven ski resorts have the capabilities and infrastructure to make the trip to the slopes a whole lot easier.
