12 Most Beautiful Winter Train Rides in North America

Aurora Winter Train: Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska

Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter Train can get you from Anchorage to Fairbanks in about 12 hours—providing spectacular views of the Alaskan wilderness along the way. From pristine lakes and snowcapped mountains to wildlife like moose, caribou, and bears, the route immerses you in the natural beauty of the country’s largest state. This includes views of Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. The route operates from mid-September to mid-May, with weekend and midweek service.

Empire Builder: Chicago to Portland, Oregon

This 46-hour Amtrak route runs every day of the year, allowing wintertime riders to see the splendor of the American West under a blanket of snow. Starting in Chicago and finishing in Seattle or Portland, via Minneapolis/St. Paul and Spokane, the Empire Builder route passes through the majesty of Glacier National Park dressed in its winter best. Other highlights include views of the Columbia River Gorge and the snowcapped peaks of Washington’s Beacon Rock and Oregon’s Mount Hood.

Cascade Canyon Winter Train: Durango, Colorado

Cascade Canyon in San Juan National Forest is a popular hiking trail in the summer. But come winter, you can also enjoy the natural beauty of the area without having to get off the train. Starting in Durango, the Cascade Canyon Winter Train takes you 26 miles around the edge of the gorge during the 5.25-hour round trip. The canyon itself was once mined for silver and gold and although the resource dried up years ago, there are still plenty of precious photo ops to be had when there’s snow on the ground. The train runs on select dates from November to May.

Seattle and Canadian Rockies Winter Discovery: Seattle to Jasper National Park, Canada

Amtrak’s Seattle and the Canadian Rockies Winter Discovery trip begins in Washington and takes you over the border on a nine-day Canadian adventure. With stops in Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, and Calgary, you’re sure to see all the best views the Canadian Rockies have to offer. The train journey ends in Jasper, allowing you to travel the rest of the way by car to experience the stunning Icefields Parkway. The itinerary also includes a ski gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for epic vistas of the snow-covered peaks, and a winter wildlife tour in Jasper National Park.

Colorado Ski Train: Denver to Winter Park, Colorado

The Winter Park Express is an Amtrak train that delivers you from Denver Union Station to the doorstep of the Winter Park Resort. The route runs from mid-December to late March, with departures on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. In January, Amtrak adds a Thursday departure to the schedule as well, giving riders four different days to get to the slopes through the end of the season.

Tickets go on sale in November or December and tend to sell out fast, so get them early if you can. If you’re flying into Denver, you can take public transportation to Union Station and hop on right from there—no cab or rental car necessary. Try to snag a seat in the sightseer lounge so you can enjoy the best views as the train climbs up into the mountains.

Napa Valley Wine Train: Napa, California

The Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most glamorous ways to explore this famous California wine region. At any time of year, you can sip wine while watching the vineyards roll by outside the window. During the holidays, however, you can buy a ticket for the Santa Train and instead of wine, enjoy a tasting of hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies, plus a visit from the red-suited man of the season. Or, upgrade your journey to include a three-course gourmet meal (with kid-friendly menus) in one of the luxury cars. The holiday-themed trips run between late November and late December.

Grand Canyon Winter Experience: Chicago to Williams, Arizona

Vacation by Rail’s Grand Canyon Winter Experience is a six-day journey that delivers you from the white-out winter scenery of the Great Lakes region and into the colorful Southwest. Leaving from Chicago, you’ll see plenty of snow-covered views before arriving in Williams, where you switch to the Grand Canyon Railway to make your way to the Grand Canyon. After spending a full day exploring the natural wonder at your own pace, you return to Williams to wrap up the journey.

Coast Starlight Train: Seattle to Los Angeles

For a truly magical winter experience, don’t dismiss the beauty of the West Coast in winter. Get your ticket for the Coast Starlight, a 35-hour Amtrak route that runs year-round from Seattle to Los Angeles, making stops in Portland, Klamath Falls, San Luis Obispo, and Sacramento. The trip starts strong with dramatic Pacific Northwest scenery, including forests, lakes, rivers, and the snowcapped Cascade Range. Then, watch the snow melt away as you travel south through California to Los Angeles.

California Zephyr: Chicago to San Francisco

If you want to truly see the extent of America’s gorgeous and diverse scenery in wintertime, you can’t do better than Amtrak’s California Zephyr. This roughly two-day winter train excursion takes you from Chicago to San Francisco, passing through the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, ensuring fantastic views all the way. You can hop aboard any day of the year, but the Midwest’s first snowfall typically happens in late November.

Adirondack Train: New York City to Montreal

Departing daily from New York City, Amtrak’s Adirondack train travels through New York state’s expansive mountains and forests to the end of the line in Montreal. Along the way, snow lovers can marvel at the icy peaks and white-dusted trees that cover the landscape. The trip takes about 10 hours, so it can be done in a day, or get off in Albany to check out the strikingly eclectic 1880s New York State Capitol building. You can also head to a nearby ski resort like Maple Ski Ridge, which is about a 30-minute drive from the city.

Ethan Allen Express Train: New York City to Burlington, Vermont

Vermont may be famous for its fall foliage, but come back in the winter and you’re in for another beautiful spectacle. Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express goes from New York City to Burlington, Vermont, passing scenic winter views of the Hudson Valley and the Green Mountains. The trip takes about 7.5 hours to complete, but you can break it up with stops to explore charming towns along the way, or maybe even find a cozy bed-and-breakfast with a wood-burning fireplace to spend the night on this leisurely journey north.

Winter in the Rockies: Vancouver to Banff, Canada

Winter in the Rockies will take you from Vancouver to the real-life winter wonderland that is Banff in Alberta, Canada, cutting through both Jasper National Park and the iconic Lake Louise. Along the way, you’ll have a front row seat to Canada’s Rocky Mountain views and an opportunity to get out and explore the wintry landscapes. With this vacation package, you can disembark to ice skate on Lac Beauvert or take a horse-drawn sleigh ride across the frozen landscape. Once you arrive in Banff, hit the ski slopes or go for a well-deserved soak in the natural hot springs.