Ski trains were common up until the 30s and 40s...wherever there was a mountain there were skiiers and often a special train to get them to and fro. Of course times have changed...but are ski trains still run in some areas? Might be a good feature for a future Trains. Not much out there that I could find about ski trains.
The only one that ran in recent years was the Denver Ski Train, which predates the Amtrak era. There were occasional charters elsewhere but they weren't scheduled operations.
Yeah, the Denver Ski train is the only present ski train that fits the definition. However, Amtrak's Vermonter, Ethan Allen and Adorandack do perform such seasonal service even if not in name. The NYS&W tried one out of Hoboken once back int he 80's or 90's I think to Vernon, NJ and the Playboy Club or what had been the Playboy Club at that time. Commuter lines out of NYC--i.e. NJT and MNRR...don't have the baggage cars to make a stab at such services either out of GCT to CT and the Upper Harlem Valley or out of Hoboken to the lower Catskils along the Southern Tier Line to Port Jervis (NS who leases the track to MNRR to PJ and CNY west of PJ inserts a "no passenger train" clause in the lease, so going into the northern Pocono/southern Catskils won't happen). What will the PA people do with the eventual Scranton-Hoboken service has yet to be seen. Commuter rail is the main focus but what marketing skills, ideas, and capabilities beyond the commute service is yet to be seen.
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I believe the Alaska railroad still runs a ski train out of Anchorage during the winter season.
Sadly, the Ski Train out of Denver is no more...
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
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We have to remember that ski equipment was much lighter in the 30s and 40s. Wooden skis and leather boots were standard. Today we have fiberglass skis and heavy plastic boots. Ski clothing was also much thinner and less bulky. Today's combination of Gore-Tex and down takes up a lot of room. Speaking as both a rail fan and a skier, it would take a very serious incentive to get me to bring the car to the railroad station, unpack it, and transfer everything to the train. Unless there is a station at the ski area, the entire process would have to be repeated for a shuttle bus.
Some people do not even bring their own equipment when they fly to a distant ski resort. The quality of rental equipment at even the second-tier ski areas is quite good so it is possible to pack light.
However there is hope. New Jersey Transit runs a successful non-stop bus service from the Wayne Township park and ride facility to the Mountain Creek ski area in Vernon Township. The route is popular with snow boarders whose equipment is smaller and lighter than traditional skis and who also do not have the heavy boots. The bus service also utilizes an otherwise empty park and ride facility on Saturdays.
Never having rode the ski trains in either Colorado or Alaska I cannot comment on their convenience.
If anyone is seriously interested in the history of ski trains, I would suggest the New Yorker magazine web site where a number of magazine covers featuring ski trains can be viewed.
Transit planners love the idea of ski trains and Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey, has been a proposed destination since the 1960s. Mountain Creek is an exception because the resort sits on the well-maintained New York Susquehanna and Western mail line. Bringing ski trains to other resorts such as Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills would require extensive track improvements. The resorts in Vermont require shuttle bus service between the rail lines and the ski resorts.
So, what would it take to get me out of my car and onto a ski train?
1. A station at the ski area.
2. For a long trip such as New Jersey to Maine or New Jersey to Quebec, a package deal that includes rail fare, lodging, meals, and ski rental.
Amtrak, are you listening?
Think Snow!
Kevin
Atlantic and Hibernia ... Speaking as both a rail fan and a skier, it would take a very serious incentive to get me to bring the car to the railroad station, unpack it, and transfer everything to the train. Unless there is a station at the ski area, the entire process would have to be repeated for a shuttle bus.
... Speaking as both a rail fan and a skier, it would take a very serious incentive to get me to bring the car to the railroad station, unpack it, and transfer everything to the train. Unless there is a station at the ski area, the entire process would have to be repeated for a shuttle bus.
With convenient skier parking being replaced by ski-in/ski-out condos, you often need to shuttle anyway from your car. If a shuttle from the station is a deal killer, then how many ski areas besides Vernon and Winter Park have potential for ski trains?
Midland Mike,
In answer to your question, my point is not that the shuttle bus between the station and the resort is the deal killer, rather the problem is the constant schlepping of heavy equipment and bulky clothes.
Schlepping of bulky equipment and clothes has always been a part of skiing. IF you don't like to do that, then you either aren't a skier or don't ski. Taking a "ski" train from inner city to far off country lodges always invloved the schlepping. So, why is it any different today? Softees? I doubt it, it is more suggestion or negative enforcement to counter any concept of public transport to and from ski areas. Many places would relish the idea of new, convenient, unique, etc, ways of bringing customers from downtown out to the slopes...often they'll even send someone to fetch you at the station...always used to, so what's different today?
I used to schlep 2 suitcases, ski bag, and daypack with boots thru the airports. With baggage fees, it's down to one suitcase and my carry-on daypack with boots. It's almost as cheep to rent good skis at many ski towns. It's amazing how much bulky clothing you find you don't need when you have to pay extra to bring it.
When it comes to shuttles, it depends on the operator. When I spend a week at Summit County (Colorado) I rent a car. Whereas I always take Telluride Express to get from the Montrose airport to my lodging at that resort. I would take a ski train up the Montrose branch, If Telluride Express handled the transfer to the resort.
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