We boarded the train just after 9 a.m. in the small city of Emeryville, 11 miles east of San Francisco. It is the Zephyr’s departure point on the 236-mile journey to Reno.

But forget doing it in a car. Now is the time to hop on board Amtrak’s long-distance California Zephyr and see the amazing snowpack from the comfort of the train’s observation car.

But forget doing it in a car. Now is the time to hop on board Amtrak’s long-distance California Zephyr and see the amazing snowpack from the comfort of the train’s observation car.

Tickets on The Duluth Zephyr are $22 for Coach and $44 for the Skyview Dome Car. All passengers in the Dome Car must purchase a $44 ticket, including babies — but children ages 2 and under ride ...