While Denver International Airport resides relatively close to the Rocky Mountains, you’re still well over an hour from the closest ski resort. Some people prefer to fly directly to their destination, so choosing a ski resort with an airport nearby is crucial.
Several ski areas in Colorado have a regional airport located close, within a forty-five-minute drive. Some of these regional airports might even have a direct flight from your departure city, bypassing Denver International completely, and probably saving funds. Other times, you’ll still land in Denver before departing again.
Numerous benefits exist to flying into one of these local airports, which are closer to the ski resort of your dreams. Aside from not having to worry about renting a car (unless you want to), you’ll in no way have to venture on Colorado’s infamous stretch of Interstate-70 ski traffic between Denver and Summit County.
Denver International Airport is the best bet for the ski resorts in Summit County, as well as Winter Park, Granby Ranch, Echo Mountain, and Eldora Mountain Resort. At all other resorts, there is always a closer airport. If flying into D.I.A., you can also pay for a mountain shuttle ride and relax on your way to most of the bigger resorts near Denver.
Here are the ski resorts in Colorado with airports nearby:
Aspen/Snowmass » Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Only a mile and less than 5 minutes of driving will have you from Aspen’s regional airport to its closest ski area, Buttermilk. The other Aspen ski resorts aren’t much further away: 3 miles/8 minutes to Aspen Highlands, 4 miles/11 minutes to Aspen Mountain, and 6 miles/13 minutes to Snowmass.
You’re only looking at about a 10-minute drive to reach your downtown Aspen accommodation, too, and then a possible walk to the slopes. The same goes for Snowmass Village.
The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport has 10 destinations it flies to and from throughout the country. So their flight network casts wide coverage for those preferring direct access to the ski slopes. While Denver isn’t as blessed as Salt Lake City with its local ski slopes, Aspen’s local airport literally lands you between 4 world-class ski resorts. Have fun with more time for the slopes and your apres ski party.
233 Airport Rd, Aspen | 970-920-5380 | aspenairport.com
Telluride » Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)
Not to be outdone by Aspen, Telluride also boasts its own local airport. The much smaller Telluride Regional Airport only offers year-round nonstop flights to/from Denver International via Denver Air Connection. It sure beats the heck out of the 6-10 hour drive, weather pending to get there. It’s located in the town, only 5 miles west of downtown Telluride.
A better option to bypass Denver International could be via Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ). Located only 1.5 hours from Telluride, it’s a much larger airport. It has nonstop flights from throughout the USA, so it’s easy to catch a connecting flight into Montrose. Rent a car or take a shuttle, and maybe stop by Orvis Hot Springs on the way.
2,000 skiable acres of expansive and diverse terrain will be your playground. Telluride Ski Resort rises out of downtown Telluride (along with its free gondola), passing by Mountain Village on the way. This is a separate base village area, adding to the uniqueness and exploratory nature of Telluride.
1500 Last Dollar Rd, Telluride | 970-728-8603 | tellurideairport.com
Steamboat » Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)
Located about 40 minutes/28 miles west of Steamboat Ski Resort, the Yampa Valley Regional Airport serves up quick access to the finest champagne powder in the state. It’s the gateway to Northwest Colorado, providing access in 30 minutes or less to downtown Steamboat Springs, as well as Craig in the opposite direction.
Located 3 miles east of Hayden, you probably won’t enter this sleepy little gem if heading directly to the slopes (as most are). You’ll definitely want to base in The Boat and hit up one of its bubbly hot springs.
Hayden’s airport provides a wide array of nonstop flights from throughout the country. Schedule a shuttle to pick you up and you’ll be shredding The Boat’s 3,741 skiable acres in time.
11005 Co Rd 51A, Hayden | 970-276-5001 | flysteamboat.com
Beaver Creek/Vail » Eagle Co Regional Airport (EGE)
Naturally, Colorado’s other two ritzy ski resorts, Vail and Beaver Creek, also boast an airport nearby, the Eagle County Regional Airport. In 30 minutes (28 miles) heading east from the airport in Gypsum, you can arrive in Beaver Creek Village, ready to take on the resort. Just another 7 minutes and 5 miles further west on I-70 would have gotten you to Vail’s luxurious villages.
As far as mountain towns go, they are each nice, alpine villages striving for that picturesque setting, which lands on a bit of Disney theme park ambiance. The town of Avon, directly off the highway, acts as a gateway to Beaver Creek Village, providing even more accommodations, dining, and things to do.
Edwards is even closer to the airport than Avon and also provides chairlift access to the Beaver Creek Resort.
Both mountains are on the same pass, so you can plan on venturing to either ski resort: Beaver Creek or Vail. The terrain is epic at both places, with so much for everybody of all levels. Do a powder dance the night before and pray you’re dumped on because you’ll have the conditions of a lifetime. To the back bowls!
217 Eldon Wilson Rd, Gypsum | 970-328-2680 | flyege.com
Purgatory » Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)
The thrilling ski slopes of Purgatory Resort await only 50 minutes/41 miles north of Durango-La Plata County Airport. You’ll pass through downtown Durango on the way, which sits only 20 minutes/14 miles northwest of the airport. This makes the best base as you’ll have access to probably the largest mountain town in the state, with around 20,000 people.
Because of its world-class narrow gauge railroad and surrounding adventure found within the San Juans, Durango is loaded with tourist-serving restaurants, shops, and lodging. You can also shack up at the base of the ski resort, 30 minutes north, and seclude yourself away from the minor bustle. Purgatory’s 1,635 skiable acres will keep all levels entertained and mesmerized by the surrounding panoramas.
1000 Airport Rd, Durango | 970-382-6050 | flydurango.com/1748/Airport
Crested Butte » Gunnison-CB Regional Airport (GUC)
From Gunnison’s airport, less than a forty-five-minute drive (30 miles) will land you at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. It’s a fun, laid-back ski area in the center of the Rockies. It’s a pretty big resort too, at just over 1500 skiable acres. For terrain, Crested Butte has a lot of long, fast cruisers, some beginner runs, and a good mix of expert skiing.
CB has both a mountain village and a historic downtown. The two are about 5 minutes apart, with free shuttles running daily. You’ll pass through downtown Gunnison on the way, which provides more affordable and additional accommodations. Monarch Mountain also comes into play for those staying in Gunny, 45 minutes east.
The town of CB has both a cool historic downtown and a separate mountain village, connected by a 5-minute bus ride.
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport has just a few winter flight destinations. Dallas is a big hub for American Airlines, so this could play well for people living anywhere south of Colorado, as DFW is a convenient airport to fly into. United operates year-round flights out of Houston, too. But it’s always easy to fly into Denver International if required, with daily departing flights to Gunny all year.
711 W Rio Grande Ave, Gunnison | 970-641-2304 | flygunnisonairport.com
Powderhorn » Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
It’s only a 45-minute drive (38 miles) east of Grand Junction Regional Airport to arrive at the stunning ski slopes on Grand Mesa. Often completely forgotten by Coloradoans living on the Front Range, the trails at Powderhorn are long, rolling, and with dry, western snow. The resort added a high-speed detachable chair lift to their game, the quad Flat Top Flyer High. So you’ll reach its 1600 skiable acres faster.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort gets about 250 inches of light snow each year. They’ve also upped their game in the 2019-20 season when they began phase one of the Tiny Homes at Powderhorn. You can stay at the mountain base in a townhome, available during the season for nightly rentals.
Aside from the new tiny homes in the main lodge, the amenities at the base are pretty sparse. There’s also the town of Mesa to stay in, located 10 minutes north of the slopes. It’s quiet, so more fun and commodities, consider Palisade or Grand Junction. They’re both on I-70 and neighbors of one another, so opt for Palisade if you prefer a mountain town feel.
2828 Walker Field Dr, Grand Junction | 970-244-9100 | gjairport.com
Those are Colorado’s regional airports closest to a big ski resort. If you’re renting a car, consider reading over our winter driving tips for the Rockies. Godspeed!
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