You do not have to drive Berthoud Pass or rent a car to stay with us in Grand County. Between the ski train, an airport shuttle that drops you at the door and a free local bus system, plenty of our guests never touch a steering wheel. Here is how each option works and which of our houses it suits.
Option 1: The train from Denver
The Winter Park Express is Amtrak's ski train from Denver Union Station. For the 2026 to 2027 season it runs Thursdays through Sundays from December 10, 2026 to April 4, 2027.
- Leaves Denver Union Station at 7:00 AM
- Arrives at Winter Park Resort at 9:15 AM and at Fraser at 9:45 AM
- Heads back from Fraser at 4:05 PM and from Winter Park Resort at 4:35 PM, reaching Denver at 7:05 PM
- Fares start at $9 each way, and $4.50 for kids
If you are flying in, the RTD A Line train runs from Denver International Airport straight to Union Station, so the whole trip from the airport to the mountains can be done by rail. On days the ski train does not run, Amtrak's California Zephyr also stops at the Fraser Winter Park station at 205 Fraser Avenue. Check Amtrak for current times and fares before you plan around it.
Option 2: Home James, door to door from the airport
Home James Transportation runs shared shuttles and private charters between Denver International Airport and Winter Park, Fraser, Granby and the rest of Grand County. Their drivers take you directly to the door of your lodging, which matters when you have ski bags and kids.
- Book online at ridehj.com, by phone at (833) 274 3397 or (970) 726 5060, or by email at info@ridehj.com. The reservation desk is open 8 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time
- Book ahead. Shuttles sell out on weekends and holidays
- Home James does not post a flat fare. Price depends on party size and dates, discounts start at two guests and round trips get a further discount. As a rough guide, Colorado's state tourism site lists a round trip for two at around $390. Get a current quote for your dates
- Private charter vans hold 10 or 14 passengers, which can work out well for a group arriving on the same flight
Option 3: The free bus once you are here
The Lift is the free public bus system for Winter Park, Fraser and Granby. You do not need a ticket or a pass. In winter it runs a set of color coded routes between the resort, downtown Winter Park and Fraser, plus a regional commuter line to Granby. There is a rider app and a live bus tracker so you can see where your bus is.
The free evening ride that comes to you
This is the part most visitors do not know about. The Lift Flex is a free, on demand shared ride. In winter it is curb to curb, so it picks you up and drops you off at the address you book, as long as both ends are inside the service zone.
- Winter service starts November 16, 2026 and runs 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Daytime service covers parts of Winter Park and Fraser. From 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM it covers Winter Park and Fraser, which makes it the way home from dinner
- Book in The Lift Flex app, online, or by calling Lift Dispatch at (970) 726 4163
- It is a shared ride, so parties larger than six may be split across vehicles
- It does not serve the Mary Jane base
So yes, a free ride to the door after dark is real, provided the house you are staying in is inside the zone. Check the map in the app with the house address before you count on it.
How this works at each of our houses
- Downtown Winter Park house (groups of 8 to 14): the easiest house to do without a car. There is a bus stop right next to the house, and restaurants and shops are a walk away. Train or Home James in, free bus to the lifts
- Casa Colo (groups of 14 to 30): there is a bus stop nearby. Arrive by train or shuttle, and private cars or shuttles can be arranged for the days you want to go further
- Casa Vista Colorado and Casa Vista Granby: Home James can bring you to the door. For getting around once you arrive, tell us your dates and group size and we will tell you what has worked for other guests
A simple car free plan
- Fly into Denver
- Take Home James to the door, or the A Line to Union Station and the train to Winter Park or Fraser
- Have groceries delivered or stop on the way in
- Ride The Lift to the mountain and around town during the day
- Use The Lift Flex to get home from dinner
If part of your group does want to drive, read our guide to winter driving without snow tires first. Questions about getting to a specific house? Call or text us at (303) 506 4914.