A new proposal could eventually give skiers a way to travel from Denver International Airport to Colorado’s mountain resorts without getting behind the wheel.
According to the Summit Daily, Denver West Express Inc. is proposing a 178-mile battery-electric rail line connecting DIA with mountain communities including Frisco and Avon. The company estimates trains could average roughly 90 mph, allowing the trip from the airport to Avon to take about 97 minutes.
The proposed route would cross difficult mountain terrain and require two major tunnels. One would extend nearly five miles beneath the Continental Divide, while another would stretch approximately 6.5 miles near Fremont Pass.
The project is currently a concept rather than an engineered route. Denver West Express has also not formally submitted plans to the Colorado Department of Transportation or other transportation authorities. Construction is estimated to cost between $28 billion and $33 billion and could take 12 to 14 years.
Could Rail Transform Ski Travel
The proposed stations would include DIA, Mineral Station in Littleton, Bailey, Frisco and Avon. That would potentially provide direct access to major ski destinations including Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek.
Company vice-president Jay Branch said the project could reduce congestion on I-70 while providing a lower-emission transportation option through battery-powered trains.
Denver West Express is hoping to rely heavily on private investment while also working with government agencies. The proposal joins other mountain rail concepts as Colorado continues studying ways to expand passenger rail service across the state.