The Most Beautiful Winter Train Rides in North America

Experience winter landscapes in a brand new way.

Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

When traveling long distances across North America, the scenic route is always worth taking, especially in the winter when those wild and majestic landscapes get covered in a fresh blanket of snow. And while wintry conditions rarely favor drivers, train riders get to enjoy the frosty scenery without any of the stress of icy roads.

With so many lakes, mountains, rivers, and forests to see, a winter train ride in North America can sometimes feel like riding in a snow globe, as you get to watch the world rush by while you sit warm and cozy in your train car. From Amtrak routes that can take you from the Midwest to the Grand Canyon, ski trains that can get you from downtown Denver to the slopes, and California wine trains that embrace the holiday spirit each Christmas, trains and winter fun go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. Here are some of the best winter train rides in North America, where you can truly appreciate the natural and diverse beauty of the continent.

Aurora Winter Train: Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Railroad can get you from Anchorage to Fairbanks in about 12 hours and along the way, you get a spectacular view of the Alaskan wilderness. From pristine lakes and snow-capped mountains to wildlife like moose, caribou, and bears, this is a surprisingly effective way to see the country's largest state. Not to mention, this includes an up close and personal view of Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America.

Between December and January, you can only make this trip on Saturdays, but starting in mid-February until April there are two to three departures a week from Anchorage.

Empire Builder: Chicago, Illinois

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, via Minneapolis/St. Paul, Spokane, and Portland, the Empire Builder route passes through the majesty of Glacier National Park dressed in its winter best. Other highlights include views of Seattle's 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 in the 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 is a quick 5.25-hour round trip that takes you 26 miles around the edge of the gorge. 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, Washington

Amtrak's Seattle and the Canadian Rockies 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 itinerary also includes a ski gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you can get the best vantage point of the snow, and a winter wildlife tour in Jasper National Park.

Colorado Ski Train: Denver, 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 ski train only runs from Friday to Sunday between January and March, so it's up to you if you want to stay for just the weekend or a whole week. Tickets go on sale in 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.

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 December 23.

Winter Escape to the Grand Canyon: Chicago Illinois

Vacation by Rail's Winter Escape to the Grand Canyon is a six-day round-trip journey that delivers you from the whited-out scenery of the North and into the colorful American Southwest. Leaving from Chicago, you’ll see plenty of snow-covered views before arriving in Flagstaff, where you can make the rest of the way to the Grand Canyon by transferring to the Grand Canyon Railway — a shuttle will connect you from Flagstaff to Williams, Arizona. After spending time exploring the natural wonder at your own pace, you can then return home to the Windy City the same way you came.

Coast Starlight Train: Seattle, Washington

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 36-hour Amtrak route that runs all year from Seattle to Los Angeles, making stops in Portland, Klamath Falls, San Luis Obispo, and Sacramento. The trip starts strong with fantastic views of the Pacific Northwest's forests, lakes, rivers, and the snow-capped Cascade mountains. Then, watch the snow melt away as you travel south through California to Los Angeles.

California Zephyr: Chicago, Illinois

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 through. 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, New York

Departing daily from New York City to Montreal, Amtrak's Adirondack is a route that travels through New York State's expansive mountain range. Here, 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 easily be done in a day, or get off in Albany and check out the town or stick around and transfer to some of the nearby ski resorts.

Ethan Allen Express Train: New York City, New York

Vermont may be famous for its fall foliage, but come back in the winter and you're in for another beautiful spectacle of mother nature. Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express goes from New York City to Burlington, Vermont. You can enjoy the best scenic winter views of the Hudson Valley and the Green Mountains. The trip takes about eight 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 somewhere to spend the night on this leisurely journey north.

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