Have you decided to plan a trip to Aspen, Colorado? Next, you’ll need to know the best ways to get there!
It can be overwhelming to figure out the best route to take when traveling to Aspen Snowmass.
When I first moved to Colorado from New Jersey I was amazed at how large the state of Colorado is! After taking many road trips around Colorado, and years of working for various ski resorts, I’ve learned my way around and the best ways to travel through Colorado.
I’ve got you covered.
Here you’ll find the best ways to get to Aspen Snowmass. Plus, alternative ways to travel to Aspen in case you want to take the “long way” and enjoy more dramatic scenery along the way.
My hope is that this guide for how to get to Aspen helps your trip planning a little bit easier!
In This Article
Where is Aspen Snowmass?
Aspen is located in the western central part of Colorado, among the White River National Forest. Aspen, Colorado is located just about 200 miles from Denver, traveling west and then south.
It’s a beautiful drive from Denver to Aspen if you choose to get there on your own. The drive from Denver to Aspen is easier in the summer when the weather is not a concern. Yet it can still be done in the winter.
If you decide to make the drive on your own from Denver to Aspen in the winter, it’s advised to pay close attention to the weather reports and check road conditions often.
My favorite resource for checking road conditions in Colorado is CO Trip. On the CO Trip website, you can track road closures, conditions, and alerts.
Flights to Aspen, Colorado
The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is located only 10 minutes from downtown Aspen! Thus being one of the most convenient airports in all of ski country!
Flying Directly Into Aspen-Pitkin County Airport
With nonstop flights to Aspen from ten major airports on United, Delta, and American Airlines, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport is super convenient.
On a daily basis, there are approximately 8 flights to Aspen that arrive from Denver. The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport boasts about 280 Aspen flights arriving per week in the winter, which is an impressive amount for a small mountain town airport.
It’s easy and convenient to fly into Aspen Airport with its location being right in the heart of town! Just a short drive and you’ll be checked into your lodging to start enjoying your vacation. No long commute.
Flying Private into Aspen
Atlantic Aviation is the only fixed-base operator (FBO) available in Aspen. You’ll find valet service, a small conference room, a cafe, and other amenities. Sentient Jet is the official private jet company that flies into Aspen, Colorado. Sentient Jet offers access to over 900 certified aircraft. You can read more details about Sentient Jet here along with pricing.
Alternative Airports When Traveling to Aspen
Luckily, there are a few additional airport options in the Colorado mountains when it comes to flying to Aspen!
The Eagle County Airport (EGE), which is the airport that services Vail and Beaver Creek, is located just 70 miles from Aspen Snowmass. Eagle County Airport has nonstop flights arriving from 14 major cities during the winter, making it a very convenient way to access the Rocky Mountains! From Eagle County Airport, you can rent a car to drive yourself to Aspen or book a shuttle or limo service.
The Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is another great option to consider when planning a trip to Aspen Snowmass. Grand Junction’s airport is located approximately 130 miles west of Aspen Snowmass, so a bit further away. There are non-stop flights into Grand Junction from 5 major cities across the US and many connecting flights.
In Grand Junction, you’ll find car rentals from Alamo, Avis, Budget, National, and Hertz are available to reserve.
There are also shuttle services available that you can schedule to bring you to Aspen, Colorado. More information on travel to Grand Junction Regional airport here including shuttle transportation details.
Flights from Denver to Aspen
Flying from Denver to Aspen couldn’t be easier. With 8 flights to Aspen per day in the winter, connecting through Denver is a breeze!
It’s nice that there are so many flights scheduled to Aspen from Denver every day because it’s a snowy state and if you’re delayed, there’s probably another flight scheduled soon.
United Airlines is the airline you’ll take when you fly from Denver to Aspen. To review the current flight schedule from Aspen to Denver, you can go to the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport’s schedule page.
Driving to Aspen from Denver
Driving to Aspen from Denver is a stunning drive with expansive views! Aspen, Colorado is located approximately 200 miles from Denver.
On a day without snowy weather, the drive will take you about 3 hours and 45 minutes. The drive from Denver to Aspen will be along Interstate 70 traveling west for about 150 miles and then turning onto Colorado Highway 82 heading east for the remainder of the drive.
It’s a gorgeous drive from Eagle to Aspen, so plan on a couple of stops for photo opportunities!
You might also like: 23 of the Best Places to Stay in Aspen
It’s a straightforward journey without many turns from Denver to Aspen! It’s highly recommended to check the weather and road conditions before making your plans or getting on the road. When there’s weather it can get treacherous quickly! Check the Colorado Transportation website before you travel.
Additional Transportation
Once you arrive on your flight into Aspen, Colorado, you’ll want transportation arranged to get to your hotel or property.
Many of the hotels in Aspen provide complimentary airport transfers as an amenity for their guests! The properties that provide complimentary airport transfers are The Little Nell, The Residences at the Little Nell, St Regis Aspen, Hotel Jerome, Limelight Aspen, Aspen Mountain Residences, Viceroy Snowmass, Limelight Snowmass, The Gant, and the new Viewline Resort. Check with your hotel in Aspen or Snowmass to arrange your airport transportation.
Transportation Companies in Aspen
While you’re visiting Aspen Snowmass you may have the need for alternative transportation. Epic Mountain Express (formerly Colorado Mountain Express) provides private shuttle service between Denver International Airport and Eagle County Airport to most hotels and properties in Aspen Snowmass. To learn more about booking with Epic Mountain Express check out their website here.
Best Ways to Get Around in Aspen Snowmass
Aspen is a very walkable city! You don’t need a car rental when visiting Aspen Snowmass. Many of the hotels provide transportation around town and to other ski resorts.
With city streets that are situated in a grid with lots of sidewalks, it’s easy to navigate your way around town and find restaurants, shops, and bars on foot.
Snowmass Village is also walkable. If your hotel is in Snowmass, you can likely walk to the Base Village area, or hop on a shuttle provided by your property.
Public transportation in Aspen Snowmass is extremely reliable and accessible. RFTA, also known as Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, provides FREE transportation throughout Aspen, Snowmass, and the surrounding areas. If you’re staying in Snowmass and want to go to Aspen for the day, this is a great option!
The main terminal for RFTA is in Aspen and is located on Durant Street in downtown Aspen at Rubey Park. Here you’ll find schedules and additional busses to locations outside of Aspen proper.
High Mountain Taxi
High Mountain Taxi is Aspen and Vail’s taxi service that has been around for a long time! They’re a reputable and reliable taxi service that’s offered throughout the Aspen Snowmass area. High Mountain Taxi provides local taxi rides 24/7 and airport transfers. Whether you fly into Aspen or Vail, High Mountain Taxi offers transportation services to bring you to your hotel or accommodations in Aspen.
Car Rental Companies in Aspen
Located at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, you’ll find reliable rental car companies. Avis Car Rental, Budget Car Rental, and SIXT Rental Car all have locations at the airport.
Additional Helpful Resources
Luggage Delivery Services
If you’re looking for a luggage delivery company that will ship your bags, check out Trip Hero! Trip Hero will ship your ski gear and luggage from your home to your hotel and back. This way, you can skip baggage claim, avoid those crowds, and arrive stress-free.
Road Conditions
Stay ahead of the road conditions between Denver and Aspen, Colorado by following CO Trip.
CO Trip has a mobile-friendly website and features searchable maps, camera images, and real-time updates! It’s the best way to see what’s going on on the highways before you head out.
In Conclusion
There are a lot of ways to get to Aspen, Colorado! You can fly or drive up from Denver and either way it’ll be an easy experience with pretty scenery.
What’s most important is that once you arrive, you enjoy your mountain vacation in Aspen Snowmass, whether it’s winter or summer! I hope these travel tips to Aspen Snowmass help your planning be a little easier and create an amazing experience in this beautiful mountain town. The gorgeous Aspen Colorado weather is waiting for you.
Here’s your BEST guide to Skiing in Aspen! This guide shares all the details on where to ski for which type of skier or snowboarder you are. And, fun activities for the non-skier in Aspen!
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