The “Snowball Express”: Park City’s Festive Ski Train

Published: April 9, 2026

The “Snowball Express” was one of the more colorful late-era passenger excursions operated by the Union Pacific, a seasonal ski train that carried winter sports enthusiasts from Salt Lake City to the slopes of Park City, Utah. Though it ran only intermittently between 1965 and 1971, the train left an outsized legacy—blending transportation, tourism, and entertainment at a time when private passenger rail service in the United States was rapidly disappearing.

Union Pacific E9A #910 has the "Snowball Express" at Wanship, Utah on February 28, 1970. These trains were run on a handful of dates between 1965-1971 to take skiers to the resorts at Park City, Utah. Rick Burn photo.

Roots of Rail Travel to Park City

To understand the Snowball Express, one must first look at Park City’s long association with railroads. Rail service reached the mining town in the late 19th century, linking it to the Union Pacific main line at Echo and enabling both freight and passenger operations. By the 1880s, regular passenger service connected Park City with Ogden and beyond, helping sustain the town’s economy.

As mining declined in the early 20th century, tourism—especially skiing—emerged as a new economic driver. Railroads across the United States experimented with “ski trains”, transporting urban residents to mountain resorts during winter weekends.

In Utah, the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad operated early ski trains to Park City as early as the 1930s, but these services ended by 1946. The Union Pacific continued occasional excursions into 1950, after which passenger service to Park City ceased entirely for more than a decade.

Revival: The Hootspa Special (1965)

The modern story of the Snowball Express began in December 1965, when Union Pacific revived ski train service with a special excursion known as the “Hootspa Special.” This train was organized as part of a broader effort to promote Utah as a candidate for the 1972 Winter Olympics, with backing from civic organizations and tourism promoters.

Departing Salt Lake City, the train made intermediate stops—often in Ogden and Echo—before climbing the Park City Branch into the Wasatch Mountains. The inaugural run carried approximately 500 passengers, a strong turnout that demonstrated pent-up demand for rail-based access to ski resorts. The success of this initial excursion set the stage for a series of similar trains over the next several winters.

Union Pacific's "Snowball Express" is near the first crossing south of Coalville, Utah in February, 1970. Rick Burn photo. Rick stated he rode the train one way and drove back.

Birth of the “Snowball Express”

By 1969, the ski excursions had been rebranded as the “Snowball Express,” with sponsorship shifting to the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

The new name reflected both the festive atmosphere of the trips and their role in promoting winter tourism events such as Park City’s Winter Carnival and ski competitions.

Unlike traditional scheduled passenger trains, the Snowball Express operated as a special excursion, typically running once per season. Known operating dates include:

December 4, 1965 (as Hootspa Special)
February 18, 1967
February 24, 1968
March 8, 1969 (first “Snowball Express”)
February 28, 1970
February 27, 1971 (final run)

Despite its limited frequency, the train quickly became a highlight of Utah’s winter season.

Route and Operations

The Snowball Express followed a scenic route that combined mainline and branch operations:

Departure from Salt Lake City, the primary origin point
Stops in Ogden and Echo, adding passengers along the way
Climb up the Park City Branch, a historic spur line built to serve mining operations

The journey offered passengers dramatic winter scenery, including snow-covered canyons and mountain vistas, making the trip itself part of the attraction.

Power for the train typically came from Union Pacific’s classic passenger locomotives, including EMD E-units (E8s and E9s) and occasionally newer models like the SDP35 (UP owned ten examples of this uncommon variant, numbered 1400-1409, which were acquired in 1965). Consists varied but generally included 10–12 passenger cars, with coaches, lounge cars, and entertainment spaces.

A “Party Train” Experience

What truly set the Snowball Express apart was its reputation as a rolling winter party.

Unlike earlier, more utilitarian ski trains, this excursion emphasized entertainment and socializing. Passengers enjoyed:

Bar service (not subject to Utah’s strict liquor laws due to federal railroad jurisdiction)
Live music and dancing, with entire cars dedicated to entertainment
A festive, carnival-like atmosphere throughout the trip

The train became known as a place where skiers and young adults mingled freely, creating an experience as memorable as the skiing itself.

Upon arrival in Park City, passengers were greeted by local dignitaries, bands, and transportation services to nearby ski areas such as the then-new Treasure Mountain Resort (later Park City Mountain Resort).

Popularity and Cultural Impact

Over its brief lifespan, the Snowball Express grew steadily in popularity.

Early runs carried around 300–500 passengers, often selling out
The train became closely tied to Park City’s emerging identity as a ski destination
It helped boost winter tourism during a critical transition from mining to recreation

Participants remembered not only the convenience of rail travel but also the unique camaraderie fostered by the journey.

In many ways, the Snowball Express represented a late-era attempt by a freight-dominated railroad to remain relevant in the passenger market by offering experience-based travel rather than routine transportation.

A flagman guards a crossing south of Coaville, Utah as Union Pacific E9A #910 hustles past with the "Snowball Express" in February 1970. Rick Burn photo.

The Final Run and the End of an Era

The Snowball Express made its final run on February 27, 1971, marking the end of passenger rail service to Park City. Its demise was not due to lack of popularity but rather sweeping changes in the American railroad industry. In 1971, the federal government created Amtrak, consolidating most intercity passenger services. Participating railroads like Union Pacific were required to exit the passenger business, transferring operations to the new entity.

Because the Snowball Express was a public passenger excursion, it fell under these restrictions and could not continue under Union Pacific’s operation. The final trip was a celebratory event, complete with entertainment, large crowds, and a ceremonial reception in Park City—bringing closure to nearly a century of rail passenger service to the town.

Legacy

Though short-lived, the Snowball Express occupies an important place in both railroad and regional history.

1. A Bridge Between Eras

It represented one of the last examples of privately operated passenger excursions before Amtrak’s formation, closing the chapter on Union Pacific’s passenger services.

2. Tourism Catalyst

The train helped solidify Park City’s transformation from a declining mining town into a thriving ski destination—a shift that continues to define the area today.

3. Precursor to Modern Ski Trains

The concept of rail-based access to ski resorts did not disappear. Modern services—such as Colorado’s Winter Park Express—echo the same idea of combining convenience, scenery, and recreation.

4. Preservation of the Route

The former Park City Branch has since been repurposed as part of the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail, allowing visitors to follow the path once traveled by the Snowball Express.

Conclusion

The train was far more than a simple ski train. It was a festive, experiential journey that captured the spirit of a changing era in American railroading. Operating at the twilight of private passenger service, it demonstrated how railroads could adapt—if only briefly—by focusing on leisure and tourism. Its lively atmosphere, scenic route, and role in promoting Park City’s ski industry ensured that, even decades after its final run in 1971, the Snowball Express remains a cherished chapter in both railroad and Utah history.

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