Z – Zephyr
Not a whole lot of relevant “Z’s” around for snow, but I’ve settled on Zephyr. By definition, a zephyr is a light warm westerly wind, or gentle breeze. In the context of my A-Z, it stands for two things: the California Zephyr passenger train and the Zephyr Express lift at Winter Park Resort.
The California Zephyr is a 2,438-mile (3,924-km) passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Midwestern and Southwestern United States. It runs daily from Chicago Illinois in the east to Emeryville, California in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. This route is one of the longest and most scenic routes run by Amtrak.
The first eastbound run began at 9:30 am PST on March 20th, 1949. Experienced travelers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. As you climb through the heart of the Rockies, and further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, you may find it hard to disagree. History enthusiasts might be interested in the California Zephyr Virtual Museum website.
While the California Zephyr does not service Winter Park Resort itself, the train does stop in the town of Fraser, just 4 miles away, so vacationers bound for the Winter Park & Fraser Valley can opt for Amtrak over flights as their mode of transportation.
The Zephyr Express lift, a high-speed quad named after this fabled train, is the main chairlift at the base of Winter Park Resort to transport you up the mountain. This is usually the first chairlift of the day for skiers and snowboarders, and consequently there is an air of excitement and buzz in the lift line, and on the chair itself as one plans the first few runs. From the chairlift itself, you can survey the conditions below you on the classic fast cruiser of Hughes, look left across to the bumps on Mary Jane Mountain, and have a quick peak at the snow on Mulligans Mile. I would contend that more trail maps, gloves and poles are dropped on this lift than any other!
The resort also offers a unique alpine dining experience: the Zephyr Express lift is modified to accommodate 20 gondola cabins for supper service at the Lodge on Sunspot. Dinners at The Lodge at Sunspot are sell-out events, and reservations are required. Call 970-726-1446.
