AASHTO Journal - Colorado DOT’s ‘Snowstang’ Begins Sixth Year of Service

The Colorado Department of Transportation has resumed its Snowstang express bus service for a sixth year; a service that transports winter sports enthusiasts from the front range of the Rocky Mountains to four of the state’s most popular ski resort areas.

[Above photo by Colorado DOT]

The service began in 2019 to help alleviate traffic congestion during the peak traffic periods, promote walkability within resort communities, link riders to transit services and providers in the mountain communities and improve air quality. Over the previous five seasons, Snowstang has served more than 32,000 passengers.

Snowstang coaches – which can transport 51 passengers – travel roundtrip to Arapahoe Basin, the Town of Breckenridge and Breckenridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, and Loveland Ski Area every Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays through early May 2026.

The Colorado DOT said all routes board at Denver Union Station, the Regional Transportation District’s Federal Center Station in Lakewood, and at the Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride’s upper lot at the I-70–Morrison/Red Rocks interchange, with roundtrip tickets costing $25. Additional discounts are available for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities, while children ages two to 11 ride for $12.50 roundtrip (with a paying adult).

“There’s a good reason Snowstang is so popular; It’s an affordable, convenient way for people to hit the slopes without the inconvenience of dealing with the traffic or weather,” noted Shoshana Lew, Colorado DOT executive director, in a statement.

“And you don’t have to worry about parking,” she stressed. “Passengers get dropped off right by the ski lifts.”

“Snowstang is another way to help lessen traffic congestion and make our mountain highways safer and function more efficiently,” added Paul DesRocher, director of Colorado DOT’s Division of Transit and Rail. “If you’re taking Snowstang, that’s one less vehicle navigating our roadways, oftentimes during adverse weather conditions.”