One of the most beautiful times to travel on The Empire Builder is the winter. Note that there are some real reasons to think twice before booking a winter reservation.
The biggest reason is the possibility that your trip will be interrupted by the weather. If you are booked in the sleeper, chances are that if you get delayed for any length of time, Amtrak will somehow keep you in food, even going so far as to get pizza or hamburgers brought to the train.
People in coach don’t get such service, so you may end up without food to eat and no way to get any. In other words, buyer beware of those cheap coach seats.
Many options for getting around Glacier National Park can be a problem, due to winter closures. Rental cars and even hotels are not always available during winter. Definitely check in with the hotel you are planning to book, to find out if you will be able to get around.
BNSF (the rail company that owns the tracks) forces Amtrak to ride with an extra engine at all times, so that means chances are good you are not going to get caught by mechanical difficulties. That is a good thing, but clearing track ahead of your train, is still a cause of stoppages and slowdowns.
As always, figure more time into your travel plans, so you make your connections to other transportation options or other train lines.
If watching snow fall and a spirit of adventure are attractions to you, this is a worth it trip. Otherwise, stick to traveling in the Spring, Summer or Fall.
