THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride — Aspen Crossing

Aspen Crossing, a railway and entertainment destination in southern Alberta, runs THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride from Mossleigh, about 45 minutes southeast of Calgary. The operator describes a journey to the North Pole directly inspired by the hit movie, for which everyone is invited to wear their favourite pajamas.

The ride is approximately one hour long, and a ticket includes a golden train ticket, hot chocolate in a ceramic Polar Express collector's mug, a cookie, and the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell. Lap-sitting babies of 23 months or under ride free, receiving a bell but not the golden ticket, cookie, hot chocolate or mug.

Seating is in several named cars, mostly sold in sets of two (a mix of tables and booths in one car, with no guarantee of either), plus a plush coach section and a VIP dome section sold in sets of four. Ticket prices vary by car class and exclude GST and booking fees, with an extra fee for Christmas Eve.

Aspen Crossing also runs other themed train excursions and has a campground and dining options; this page covers only the Polar Express.

The ride is approximately one hour. Each ticket includes a golden train ticket, hot chocolate in a ceramic collector's mug, a cookie and a silver bell as the first gift of Christmas. The operator encourages everyone to wear pajamas. The train runs whatever the weather, although a closure of Highway 24 near Aspen Crossing may mean a reschedule.

Aspen Crossing is in Mossleigh, Alberta, about 1 km west of the hamlet and 45 minutes southeast of Calgary. The operator recommends arriving 30 to 45 minutes before departure to check in and receive tickets. There is free parking at the station and a larger lot in front of the Tavern. Because of the vintage cars and narrow hallways, the operator says it cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Ticket prices vary by car class and exclude GST and booking fees. The dining car, tavern and Aspen Outpost take reservations only, two hours before a train ride, by phone. Watch your booking email on the day for updates about mechanical delays, weather or road conditions.