Welcome to the Alki Tours Leavenworth Snow Train!

Photos by Steven J. Brown http://www.photosbystevenjbrown.com

Click Here For Snow Train Documents and Maps

Dec 7th 2013
Dec 14th 2013
Dec 21th 2013

Snow Train pricing

Coach $179
Premium $219
Dome Car $269

Tour Description

Each Saturday in December, Alki Tours, located in West Seattle, operates the ONLY day-trip train that goes from Seattle to the winter wonderland of Leavenworth to see the annual Tree Lighting Festival. On each departure, eight hundred passengers board the train to enjoy a catered continental breakfast, onboard entertainment including strolling musicians, magicians and of course Santa. Near the 4000 foot summit, the train will transit Cascade Tunnel-the second longest in North America. At approximately 12:30pm, the train will roll to a stop in Leavenworth.

There is no place like Leavenworth during the Christmas season. The town is dressed to the hilt for Christmas with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, carolers strolling the streets, food booths, sleigh rides, local crafts, outdoor entertainment and more! At dusk, everyone gathers to sing "Silent Night" and witness the lighting of the village as it is transformed into a magical sea of lights. After, we'll reboard the train for a cozy trip home. A catered dinner is served on the return trip and the entertainment will continue.

Please read the following information before booking your Snow Train excursion.

We would like to thank both Amtrak and Burlington Northern for allowing this special opportunity to run a daylight train to Leavenworth during the Christmas Season.

The Snow Train is not your ordinary excursion train. We operate on heavily used Burlington Northern tracks between Seattle and Chicago and are subject to Burlington Northern dispatch. The following information is to help orientate you on how the Snow Train operates. While we try to cover most of the major information and questions, you can be certain the following information cannot possible cover all the circumstances that may arise.

If you have any other questions please submit them after you have read the following information.

Dec 7th 2013
Dec 14th 2013
Dec 21th 2013

Snow Train pricing

Coach $179
Premium $219
Dome Car $269


Cars and seating cannot be guaranteed In the event Premium or Dome class become unavailable you will be assign coach seating and the difference in price will be refunded - full refunds will not be given

Dome and Premium Seats will either be at tables in the Silver Lariat, or tables or cocktail style seats in the Amtrak full dome car Premium Seats are in the Silver Lariat or Cafe Cars. Silver Lariat - www.calzephyrrailcar.com

Also available for private parties "The Silver Solarium" The Silver Solarium consists of lounge & Dome seating Maximum Occupancy 45 **- www.calzephyrrailcar.com *

*Must be reserved well in advance - Call for details *

*Train car configuration and cars are subject to change*

Alki Tours Leavenworth Snow Train

******Sample Snow Train Documents, subject to change******

Dear Guest, It is a pleasure to welcome you aboard the "Snow Train" to Leavenworth featuring some of the most spectacular scenery in the state. The following are answers to many questions regarding the "Snow Train". Please note that the following information is subject to change without notice.

What to wear...
Casual warm clothing is suggested so that your trip will be comfortable and relaxing. The average daytime temperature in Leavenworth during the winter is in the low 30's so you should dress accordingly. After the sun goes down temperatures can drop into the teens. Be sure to wear a sweater, warm coat, mittens or gloves, long underwear, hat, umbrella, raincoat and comfortable walking shoes that will keep your feet warm dry (i.e. boots). Layers of warm clothing are essential for your enjoyment.

Your Carry-On Items...
You are welcome to leave your carry on items in your seat or in the overhead storage area on the train or you can carry them with you during the day. Alki Tours will not assume responsibility for lost or stolen items on the train.

Your Tour Director...
Each train car will be accompanied by car attendants, whose objective is to guarantee your comfort, provide information and make the trip as enjoyable as possible. Remember that they can only be of assistance if you make your needs known.

Timeliness...
It is your responsibility to be on time for the scheduled train departures. Alki Tours will not be responsible for any person missing the train for any reason.

Beverages and Snacks...
For your convenience and enjoyment, there will be two cafe cars on the train with a variety of snacks and beverages (Alcohol - subject to legal approval). (Amtrak and the City of Leavenworth Public transport prohibit the consumption of personal alcoholic beverages while on their vehicles). Violations will result in the confiscation of any opened alcoholic beverage containers. Intoxicated or belligerent behavior will not be tolerated and violators are subject to removal from the train and Leavenworth City Transit Busses and may be prosecuted under applicable Federal and/or Washington State laws.

Gratuities...
Gratuities for your car attendants should always be your determination however we are often asked if there is an industry standard. Car attendants are usually tipped from $2 to $3 per person per day if you enjoyed their service.

Dining...
Continental Breakfast - ***Sample Menu - Subject to Change*** A continental breakfast will be served to you in your seat after the Everett stop. Gretchen's Ham & Cheese on Croissant, fruit juice, fresh-cut fruit cup, and hot regular coffee.

Leavenworth Snow Train

Alki Tours Leavenworth Snow Train

Alki Tours Snow Train
Dinner - ***Sample Menu - Subject to Change***
A chilled gourmet dinner will be served to you in your seat tonight after we clear the 7.8 mile long Cascade tunnel. Your dinner will include: Asian Chicken Salad, hearty wheat roll, fresh-cut fruit cup, beverage, and Gretchen's fabulous desert. Vegetarian meals must be requested at time of booking your trip departure. We are sorry we cannot guarantee any other special meal requests.

Meals on your own...
Lunch is on your own. You may wish to bring along a lunch or snacks that you can eat at your leisure on the train or you can dine at one of the many quaint restaurants in Leavenworth. The restaurants will be very busy, so you may wish to plan accordingly. For general Leavenworth information you can contact the Leavenworth Chamber at 509-548-5807.

Alki Tours Snow Train Alki Tours Snow Train
Photos by Steven J. Brown http://www.photosbystevenjbrown.com


Boarding Information...
Inside the station, there is no need to "check in" or stand in line. Boarding announcements will be made prior to the trip departure. As you approach the train, notice that the cars are labeled alphabetically. Proceed to the car designated on your boarding pass. At the train side, an Alki Tours representative will check you and your traveling companions in and seat you. This will be your seat assignment for the entire trip. (Please note: single and odd numbered parties will be required to share seating and may need to be re-seated). ******Physically challenged people, please call our office for additional information****** If you fail to board the train at your designated station you may not be able to be seated with your traveling companions. Parties boarding at different location may not be able to be seated together.

Parking information:
Will be sent out with tour documents approx 10 days prior to departure. Prices usually range from $10-$30 depending on where you park.

Alki Tours
Tentative Itinerary

Please note Train doors will close 10 minutes prior to departure. Actual departure time is subject to clearance by Burlington Northern Dispatch

  • Depart King Street Train Station - Approx 8:05AM
  • Depart Edmonds Station - Approx 8:40AM
  • Depart Everett Station - Approx 9:20AM
  • PLEASE NOTE FINAL DEPARTURE TIMES WILL BE SENT WITH FINAL TOUR DOCUMENTS AND BOARDING PASSES 10 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
  • Arrive at Leavenworth at approximately 1:30pm. Upon arrival transit busses will be there to transfer you from the train to the town site (1.2 miles). The train will continue on to be serviced in Wenatchee. Therefore, you will not have access to the train prior to our re-boarding time.
  • 4:45pm The first shuttles begin to load. If the train has not arrived back in Leavenworth, the buses will be staged at the high school parking lot until the train arrives. If you board a bus early you may be delayed at the high school prior to the trains arrival.
  • 5:15pm The last shuttle departs for the train.
  • 5:25pm the train will depart Leavenworth.
  • Our approximate return times will be in Everett at 9:45pm, Edmonds at 10:15pm, and King Street at 10:45pm, respectively. These are our best estimated times.
  • Kindly note that our time schedule may be altered due to circumstances beyond our control. Wintertime train operations along the Burlington Northern Rail Line are subject to extreme delays as rail traffic and weather conditions affect freight schedules. Since there is only one set of train tracks, the "Snow Train" schedule is also affected by freight traffic. Historically delays have ranged from 1-2 hours and could possible extend even longer in extreme cases. You may wish to bring a book, playing cards, snacks or really good friends to pass the time. We will do our best to keep you informed along the way. Thank you in advance for your patience!
  • Due to a variety of factors the temperature inside your train car range from very warm to rather cold depending which car you are in, whether the train is moving or not and where you are sitting. Dress in layers so you can put on and take off clothing as you wish. You might want to bring a blanket in case you get chilled.

Alki Tours Snow Train Alki Tours Snow Train
Photos by Steven J. Brown http://www.photosbystevenjbrown.com


OTHER IMPORTANT SNOW TRAIN INFORMATION
Snow Train tickets are not refundable for any reason unless ALKI TOURS cancels the departure.
Please do not listen to any news reports or other sources of information regarding trains. If you have any questions as to whether the Snow Train is operating please show up at the station and send someone into the station before you pay for parking to verify the train is operating. In the event of a mudslide we will mostly likely be able to operate buses from Seattle/Edmonds to Everett to begin our journey If the Snow Train departs the station no refunds, partial refunds or credits of any kind will be given regardless whether the train makes it to Leavenworth or not. While this has never happened...Please consider this before paying for your reservation.

Traveling by Washington State Ferry to the train station?
In case of a late arrival you may miss the last ferry. We suggest that everyone have some form of transportation at the train station and not walk onto the ferry. Our service ends at the station. Historically we have arrived in Seattle after 12 midnight on 3 occasions in the last 10 years and only missed ferry service once.

Some common questions
Why is the train stopped on the tracks or siding?
Why is the train late? Why is the train early?
How long are we going to be stopped?
Why can't you tell us what is going on?

For these questions there are too many different answers to list. Sometimes we are not informed why we have been stopped as situations may change on the tracks. We are subject to Burlington Northern dispatch and they are trying to keep us on schedule. Each train car has a car attendant equipped with a radio. If you have a question please contact you car attendant and they can radio the conductor to find out if the answer if available.

We have a high percentage of repeat Snow Train riders, We hope you enjoy your Snow Train trip and will do everything we can to make your trip enjoyable and return for years to come.

If you have any questions or comments please submit them here.

I am ready to make my Snow Train reservation. By pushing the "Make My Snow Train Reservation" button below I acknowledge that I have read the information and understand the terms and conditions and will review the terms and conditions in the Alki Tours brochure.