How to visit Colorado mountains during the winter without driving through unsafe road conditions to get to the transit service?

How to visit Colorado mountains during the winter without driving through unsafe road conditions to get to the transit service? - Aerial View of Road Between Trees and Mountains

I will be taking a winter road trip and as part of that road trip, I'd like to see the mountains of Colorado. I've seen them in the fall, but would love to experience them in Winter. The car I will be driving is 2 wheel drive. Also I have no experience in icy or snowy roads.

There are transit options from Colorado cities into the mountains, such as Colorado Springs into ski resorts. My problem is I suspect places like Colorado Springs itself will be difficult to drive into because of unsafe road conditions. Are there transit options from less snowy places that are less likely to have snow? Perhaps southern Colorado or New Mexico? I will be coming from Florida.

How to visit Colorado mountains during the winter without driving through unsafe road conditions to get to the transit service?



Best Answer

Amtrak's California Zephyr will take you through the Rockies along the Colorado River. The train is equipped with observation, dining and sleeping cars, and the scenery is spectacular - I would absolutely recommend as a trip it by itself.

In terms of providing access to the mountains, you can pick it up anywhere from Chicago to San Francisco, or, closer by, in Denver. It won't take you to Colorado Springs, but it does stop in the mountains - notably at Winter Park (which is also served by Amtrak's Winter Park Express from Denver) - and onwards to stations such as Hot Sulphur Springs.

It won't avoid the roads, but Colorado Springs is served by Amtrak Thruway Motorcoaches; these stop at the Greyhound station, so there'll be Greyhound services there too.




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How to visit Colorado mountains during the winter without driving through unsafe road conditions to get to the transit service? - A Car Driving Uphill
How to visit Colorado mountains during the winter without driving through unsafe road conditions to get to the transit service? - Modern tram riding on city railroad
How to visit Colorado mountains during the winter without driving through unsafe road conditions to get to the transit service? - Truck riding on road in mountainous terrain



Is it dangerous to drive through Colorado in the winter?

Advice for Snowy and Icy Driving Conditions in Colorado. It doesn't take long for conditions to become treacherous in states that have winter weather for part of the year. Roads can get slick and icy fast, making driving a challenge for even the most seasoned driver.

Is it safe to drive through the Rockies in winter?

As long as you aren't driving in poor conditions, the eastern portion of The Rockies (from Calgary to Banff) is popular and well-maintained, so it's pretty safe. The western portion is more challenging, often closed, and considered some of the most difficult driving in Canada. Here's what we think: wait until spring!

How do people travel in the winter in Colorado?

Winter Activities in Colorado that are Not Skiing
  • Cross Country Skiing.
  • Dog Sledding.
  • Ice Climbing.
  • Ice Fishing.
  • Ice Skating.
  • Sleigh Rides.
  • Snow Tubing.
  • Snowmobiling.


  • Does Colorado use salt on the roads in winter?

    CDOT uses a variety of products to treat Colorado highways during a winter storm. All of the products contain salt with added corrosion inhibitors used to prevent or remove the build up of ice and snow on roads and minimize the impact on vehicles.



    Colorado winter driving tips




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Zachary DeBottis, Hyundai Motor Group, Brett Sayles, Julia Volk