Ski train

A Ski train is a passenger train which is marketed to carry passengers to Ski resorts. A Ski train may only operate during the winter sports season, or it may operate more frequently and have extra capacity during the winter sports season.

Ski trains in the United States

Ski train were trains specifically used for carrying skiers from populated cities to ski areas in America. Most were located in northeast, going from cities such as New York and Boston to ski areas such as Bousquet and Chickley Alp. But when ski areas such as the latter closed in the 70s and 80s ski trains began to close. Ski Train cars were designed or converted to carry skis on the side or on the inside. Ski Trains were at the height of their popularity in the late thirties through the mid fifties.

Examples

• Sunday River Ski Train (1993-1996)
• Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Ski Train (1940-2009)
• Boston & Maine's Snow Train
• Gore Mountain Snow Train (1934-1940s and 2011-present)

Ski trains in Europe

Railway companies in Alpine countries operate extra trains during the winter sports season to carry skiers. These are often marketed as Ski Trains. Eurostar operates trains in the winter only from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the French Alps. Bourg-Saint-Maurice also has winter-only services from Amsterdam. SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) market their trains under the name 'Snow’n’Rail'.

References

• New England Lost Ski Areas Project
• Eurostar Ski Train London to the French Alps
• SBB 'Snow’n’Rail' trains