To get in on the holiday excitement, hop aboard the railroad’s Santa’s Steam Train Ride to the “North Pole,” a one-hour Christmas train ride filled with roaming musicians, chats with Santa and Mrs.

Copper Mountain will kick off the season on Friday, Nov. 7, with lifts turning at 9 a.m. for early-season skiing and riding.

Nevada’s Great Basin Star Train takes riders deep into the desert for a magical stargazing experience with telescopes and expert astronomers.

Denver’s ski train is back with tickets now on sale and four-day-a-week service starting after the New Year. The Amtrak train ...