The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is launching SnowStang, a bus service that will offer round-trip service to travelers aiming for a ski day on the weekend.
SnowStang will be running to six different resorts; Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Beaver Creek Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Keystone Resort, Vail Ski Resort and Winter Park Resort.
CDOT was inspired to start the routes after the success of Bustang a service offered to people attending Broncos games. Many of the Bronco’s Bustang busses sold out due to popularity which made the transportation commission inquire about having a similar program for skiers and snowboarders traveling to resort communities in western Colorado.
This new program is yet another way CDOT is getting creative on how to get more cars off the I-70 mountain corridor. The most interesting thing about SnowStang is that bus drivers are allowed to drive on the shoulder of the highway in order to bypass congestion moving eastbound back to Denver. CDOT is hopeful this will save a lot of time for travelers using the service.
For now, CDOT is in the preliminary phase of operation SnowStang. The next bus will be on Friday, February 24th following the proposed schedule that they hope will become permanent.
SnowStang busses will depart from the RTD Park-n-Ride at the Federal Center in Lakewood at 6 A.M. They will depart the resort around 3:30 P.M. on the same day.
Each SnowStang can hold up to 51 people and is equipped with WiFi access, USB outlets, bathrooms and reclining seats for passenger convenience. Round-trip prices are $45 for Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park; $50 for Breckenridge and $60 for Vail and Beaver Creek.
In seeing Colorado’s rapid population grow it’s apparent that CDOT is trying to fulfill the need for public transportation to the resort communities.
With the train to Winter Park up-and-running once again we are seeing more opportunities.
CDOT is currently running tests to see if there is public interest in using Snowstang to access the ski resorts. If all goes well, they will consider making it a full service next year.
For more information about this service or how you can participate in the next test run, visit: RideBustang.com.
