| In December 2007 our family enjoyed an | | | | kidssleeping on the train. I didn't sleep |
| amazing holiday ski vacation. Christmas | | | | as well as I would have in my own bed or in a |
| morning the kids found out that in addition | | | | hotel room but there is something strangely |
| to the gifts under the tree, Santa had given | | | | soothing about the rocking motion of the |
| them a ski adventure trip...and we were | | | | train and the clickety-clack of the wheels on |
| leaving that very day! The trip would | | | | the track. |
| include an overnight Amtrak train ride on the | | | | |
| Empire Builder from Seattle to Whitefish, MT | | | | The following morning we awoke just in time |
| (just over 13 hours) and five days of skiing | | | | for a hot breakfast in the dining car before |
| at the Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly | | | | rolling into Whitefish at about 7:30am. |
| known as Big Mountain Resort---not to be | | | | |
| confused with Big Sky Resort). | | | | We were met by a shuttle driver who helped |
| | | | with our bags and drove us and several other |
| The kids were beside themselves!! A train | | | | families the eight miles up the mountain to |
| ride; sleeping on the train; going to Montana | | | | the Whitefish resort. We checked in at the |
| (home of Hannah Montana they thought); snow; | | | | General Store and got keys to our ski-in/out |
| skiing; sleddingthey were elated! After the | | | | condo (there are lots of slope-side condos |
| fun of opening gifts and a delicious holiday | | | | for rent). We were skiing by 10am. |
| breakfast we all rushed to pack our bags. | | | | |
| Luckily Santa had tipped me off to his plan a | | | | The Whitefish resort is extremely kid |
| few days earlier so I could prepare all of | | | | friendly. It has one of the best daycare |
| the ski gear. Wink. | | | | facilities that I have ever seen at a ski |
| | | | resort. Our 2 and a half year old enjoyed |
| We departed Seattle's King Street Station at | | | | the activities and the friendly, caring |
| about 4:30pm. The ticketing and baggage | | | | staff. And our 10 year old daughter felt so |
| check-in experience for Amtrak is | | | | safe that a few times she ventured out and |
| unbelievably simple and easy. No lines, no | | | | took a few runs on her own. |
| security hassles, no problems. You could | | | | |
| literally arrive minutes before your train | | | | The skiing at Whitefish was great. It snowed |
| leaves the station. | | | | almost every day we were there. The resort |
| | | | has lots of runs for any skill level and |
| We reserved a family-sized (sleeps four) room | | | | several new high-speed quads. Other than the |
| on the sleeping car. A friendly, | | | | line for the main lift at the base lodge, the |
| traditionally dressed conductor came by to | | | | lines were typically short. |
| smile and punch our tickets. The kids | | | | |
| thought he looked like the Tom Hanks | | | | It is both a plus and minus that Whitefish |
| character for The Polar Express. And a few | | | | doesn't have the kind of village atmosphere |
| minutes later the attendant arrived with | | | | that you find at many resorts such as |
| champagne for the adults and sparkling cider | | | | Whistler. There are fewer restaurant choices |
| for the kids. | | | | for dinner; however, the atmosphere is much |
| | | | more quiet, subdued, and family-friendlyno |
| Seating on the train is vastly superior to | | | | loud party goers. But if you need more |
| airline seating. There is lots of leg room, | | | | choices the charming town of Whitefish has |
| room for your carry-on baggage, and you can | | | | lots of restaurants, pubs, etc. and is just a |
| move around as much as you like. You can | | | | short, FREE shuttle-ride away. |
| even stretch out as if you were on your couch | | | | |
| at home. After admiring the scenery for | | | | We thoroughly enjoyed the five days that we |
| several hours and catching up on our reading | | | | spent at Whitefish. And the train ride home |
| we proceeded to the dining car (dinner | | | | was a nice way to wrap up the trip. This |
| included in the fare for sleeper car | | | | time we departed Whitefish Station at 9:30pm |
| customers) where we sat in a large, | | | | on New Years Eve. The got their own room |
| comfortable booth with a white table cloth | | | | this time and went right to bed. While my |
| and candles. The chef was no Tom Douglas; | | | | husband and I enjoyed some champagne to toast |
| but, the meal was much better than your | | | | the New Year. |
| typical reheated airline dinner. | | | | |
| | | | Our whole family highly recommends the |
| When we arrived back at our room on the | | | | Whitefish Mountain Resort as a great spot for |
| sleeping car the seats had already been | | | | a family ski vacation. And for those that |
| converted into bunk beds for us by the | | | | live in Seattle, the train is the wonderful |
| attendant. This was the best part for the | | | | way to add extra adventure to the trip. |