Screen Shot 2016-04-22 at 11.22.52 AMImage via Amtrak

The Winter Park Ski Train got one step closer to becoming a reality this week when it received a $1.5 million grant from the Colorado Transportation Commission. The money shows that the state of Colorado is invested in the revival of the iconic ski train, but does not guarantee it will become a reality.

The ski train was shutdown in 2009 after in had been put on mothballs in operation since 1940. interest in bring the ski train back is due largely to congestion on I-70 which is causing many to rethink their weekend ski plans.

PREDICTED SKI TRAIN TRAVEL TIME: 

A little over two hours – approximately the same time as by car from central Denver to Winter Park via Berthoud Pass, with clear roads.  (56 miles by rail; 67 miles by car.)- skitrain.com

Last season the ski train made a brief return with two sold out rides in March. The success of the event sparked serious talks of a resurrection of the ski train but talks have since cooled.

The $1.5 million grant would go towards building a boarding platform and installing rail improvements. The Denver Business Journal is reporting that these repairs are necessary for Winter Park officials to continue negotiations with Union Pacific and Amtrak. The ultimate goal is to relaunch the service in January 2017.

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