Winter trains in North America: what usually runs, and when

Published Nov 12, 2026. Facts last checked Nov 12, 2026.

Winter doesn't shut the railroads down. Some trains exist only for the cold months, some summer lines switch to a shorter winter route, and the long-distance trains keep their daily schedules all year. Here is what usually runs, and when.

Trains built for winter

Winter Park Express (Colorado). Amtrak runs a ski train from Denver Union Station to Winter Park Resort, with a stop at Fraser, only in winter, on dates it publishes each season. It runs on set days of the week, not daily. The morning trip reaches the resort in a little over two hours, and the evening train brings riders back to Denver. Dates and fares change each season, so check Amtrak's Winter Park Express page before planning.

Aurora Winter Train (Alaska). From mid-September to mid-May, the Alaska Railroad runs a weekend train between Anchorage and Fairbanks. It goes north on Saturday, a trip of about 12 hours, and comes back on Sunday. The railroad adds some midweek trips in February and March. Along a roadless backcountry stretch it stops on request, so the schedule can shift with the number of stops. In summer, the Denali Star covers the same line every day. Details are on the Aurora Winter Train page.

A mountain railway that changes its route in winter

Mount Washington Cog Railway (New Hampshire). The cog railway runs all year, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. From late October to early May, while the summit facilities are closed, trains climb to Waumbek Station at 4,000 feet, and a round trip takes about an hour. The rest of the year, trains go all the way to the 6,288-foot summit, a round trip of about three hours. The Cog Railway's site lists the current season's dates.

Daily trains that keep running all winter

California Zephyr. Amtrak's Chicago–Emeryville train runs every day, all year. Amtrak's timetable lists 52 hours 57 minutes westbound. One of its Colorado stops is Fraser-Winter Park, the same mountain valley the ski train serves. See the California Zephyr route page.

Grand Canyon Railway (Arizona). The railway runs a daily round trip from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. In November and December it leaves an hour earlier and returns an hour earlier than the rest of the year. Riders get a little over three hours at the canyon. Times are on the railway's site.

Holiday trains

Many heritage railroads run holiday trains around Christmas, on dates they set each year. Most are short rides from the home depot, often with Santa on board. Two examples:

- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Colorado) runs THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, a story ride on a vintage steam train from its Durango depot through the holiday season. The ride lasts about 65 minutes, and the railroad suggests allowing two hours in total. Event page. - Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (New Mexico) runs a short holiday train with Santa from its Chama depot on a few dates each holiday season. Event page.

Holiday dates and fares are set each year, so always check the railroad's own page.

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