Starting this Friday, a snow train will start its winter route from Saratoga Springs to North Creek for those who want to skip snowy roads but still enjoy Adirondack attractions like Gore Mountain skiing, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, or a scenic outing.

The train, run by Saratoga & North Creek Railway, will leave each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through March, and two Mondays including Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day.

Attractions include Cunningham's Ski Barn for X-C skiing which is just a mile from the North Creek train station, tubing at the North Creek Ski Bowl, and shopping in the North Creek area.

Shuttles will bring folks from the North Creek station to various points, like Gore Mountain, every 30 minutes at no additional charge.

I first read about this in The Record in a special story by The Saratogian's Paul Post. He also reported that 60,000 people have used this train since it re-opened in the summer. There have been attractions like Thomas the Tank Engine and The Polar Express.

This resurrected travel tradition dates back to the 1930s.

While the rail company is trying to appeal to more than just skiers, they are also offering ski discounts up to 30 percent off Gore trips.

The one-way trips range from $30, for coach, to $55, for the dome/scenic seating on the ski train.