The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will resume its Snowstang express bus service this weekend for the sixth year, providing transportation from the Front Range to four major ski destinations in the state. The routes serve Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge (including both the town and ski resort), Copper Mountain, and Loveland Ski Area. Service operates every Saturday, Sunday, and on holiday Mondays through early May 2026.
Buses will begin running to most destinations on Saturday, December 13. Service to Copper Mountain will start a week later, on December 20. Riders can board at Denver Union Station, RTD’s Federal Center Station in Lakewood, or at the Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride located near the I-70 Morrison/Red Rocks interchange.
Roundtrip tickets are priced at $25. Seniors aged 65 and older and people with disabilities are eligible for additional discounts. Children between ages 2 and 11 can travel for $12.50 roundtrip when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available online at RideBustang.com.
“There’s a good reason Snowstang is so popular,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “It’s an affordable, convenient way for people to hit the slopes without the inconvenience of dealing with the traffic or weather. And you don’t have to worry about parking. Passengers get dropped off right by the ski lifts.”
CDOT launched Snowstang in 2019 as an effort to reduce peak period traffic congestion along mountain corridors, support walkability within resort towns, connect riders with other transit services in mountain communities, and improve air quality. Over five seasons of operation, more than 32,000 passengers have used Snowstang.
“Snowstang is another way to help lessen traffic congestion and make our mountain highways safer and function more efficiently. If you’re taking Snowstang, that’s one less vehicle navigating our roadways, oftentimes during adverse weather conditions,” said Paul DesRocher, Director of CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail.
Each coach seats up to 51 passengers and features climate control systems as well as luggage storage areas. Amenities include Wi-Fi access, restrooms onboard, plus USB ports and power outlets.
Tickets can also be purchased along with viewing schedules at RideSnowstang.com. For those traveling on December 13-14 or December 20-21, a promo code SNOW25 offers a discount of 25% off ticket prices.
Ace Express Coaches based in Golden operates Snowstang under contract with CDOT.
