Driving from Denver to Aspen in winter?

Unless it's actually snowing, it should be no problem. They keep I70 clear. Be aware that backups do happen on winter weekends from about Silverthorne east.

Dave

 

So, as someone who does this commute often (will be in Snowmass next week actually), let me give a few options and reality. First, the plug....the conditions in Aspen/Snowmass are off the hook right now. Best season since '08-'09...no joke.

Now, to get to Aspen there are two passes, to get to Vail, you must go over those same two passes. Winter Park has one pass as does summit county. My point is, once you get to Vail, you might as well just keep going to Snowmass. Yes, Vail pass tends to close more than the access to the tunnels, but so does Berthod Pass to go to Winter Park. The best way to do this is. Fly into Denver. Watch the weather and road conditions. Use cotrip.org before you leave Denver. If Vail pass is open, you are golden. If its not, just stay the evening in Denver and get up early. Because, if Vail pass is closed, there's better than a 60% chance that I-70 is also closed from Georgetown to the tunnel (meaning no access to Summit County either).

As far as airports, flying into Aspen is no picnic. If the weather is bad, you will find yourself driving from Denver anyway. If you want a nice combo of convenience and no passes to go over, try Grand Junction (2 hrs from Snowmass NO PASSES) or Eagle country airport (NO PASSES) 1.5 hours from Snowmass.

Hope this helps. I guess in short, driving from Denver IMO is the least amount of stress and cost. BUT...please do your homework before going west of the city. If you do your research and are patient, you will have no problems. OH..last thing, again, does not matter if your going to Summit county or Aspen. Do not try driving on i-70 West Friday afternoon/evening/Sat/Sun morning AND don't be that person who schedules his flight out of Denver Sat/Sun afternoon/evening. Hope this helps.

 

OK...so, Here is my 2 cents, and I will try to be impartial even though its hard because of my job. In my opinion, the Aspen/Snowmass product from every aspect is one of the top 5 ski destination products in the world. Snowmass has everything in one place and is a ripp'n mountain. Greens, blues, blacks and cliffs, Snowmass has it all. Couple that with Highlands/Ajax,and Buttermilk (X-games) you have something for everyone. The food is incredible, nightlife, concerts, everything. Free buses to and from Aspen. Ski-in ski-out everywhere in Snowmass. IMO, no comparison with Copper Mountain. Shouldnt even be in the same sentence. Copper Mtn is a good I-70 ski area. Ski, then leave. Winter Park...I enjoy Winter Park. Its a cool town, good food, good vibe. Just remember, if you go to Copper or Winter Park, no matter what, Sat/Sun you will have MASSIVE crowds. So you might as well not even buy lift tickets those days. Not so at Aspen/Snowmass.
Here's a photo of me at a shoot a few years back to wet the appetite (Gowdys/Snowmass):
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Please be advised that there is construction on the main bridge in Glenwood Springs. Lots of delays. It is a mess. And will be for several months.

You can call 877 315-7623 or go to cotrip.org for road conditions and construction. The subject road is Colorado State Hwy 82. It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass.

The weather this week shows zero% chance of precip to next Sunday. You will not need a car if your hotel has shuttle service to Aspen. Most do which is a must. Cab fare is $35 plus tip one way.Bus is free during the day. After 5 pm it's like $5 per person each way.

So if your hotel has free shuttle to Aspen l would fly. Your hotel should pick you up at the airport. The airport is between Snowmass Village and Aspen. Check this out. If you have a car you won't want to drive your car into Aspen. Parking is impossible. You want to take a shuttle. Parking after 6pm and all day Sunday is free. Finding a space is the tough part.

If you are eating at Little Nell or St. Regis they have valet parking if you eat there. It's free but l always tip. The dinners will be very expensive.

Call me an Aspen snob but the Viceroy is the only restaurant in Snowmass to eat at...but not worth driving from
Aspen where we live, there are a dozen restaurants in Aspen that are better. Within Aspen there is free shuttle service around town. If you want pizza or a burger Snowmass is fine.

Best.

 

Try the CDOT mobil app for up to date road conditions, drive times, and road cams.

 

If you are skiing greens you will have much more variety at Buttermilk. You can do it at Snowmass. If you get tired of those runs you can always go to Buttermilk. It's all the same ski school. If you want a private lesson for your family it's about $1000 for a day.

My family learned to ski at Buttermilk. We liked our instructor and he took us to Snowmass. He knew both mountains like the back of his hand. Ski school goes to the front of the lift line.

Best.

 

You have a beautiful family.

I only ski one mountain a day. It takes at least 30 minutes to take the shuttle between mountains. Too much downtime for me. I eat breakfast at home and then go to Snowmass. I don't stop for lunch. I ski such that l don't wait in line. I don't stop period. I keep skiing until my legs get tired. Then l go back to my club, hot tub, steambath, free munchies and wine. Then home where my wife has dinner waiting.

Aspen is basically all black runs. They say some are blue and blue/black. Most crowded.
Buttermilk is basically all green runs.
Snowmass is mostly blue but has a few green and a few black...some are very tough.
Highlands. Locals love it. They hike up to the bowl and ski down. Too much work for me. Haven't skied highlands in decades.

I just ski Snowmass. I just ski groomed blue runs now. I am 70.

Thanks for the drink offer. You need to be with your beautiful family. Enjoy every minute.

 

I agree with just about everything Phil said with a few exceptions. I totally forgot about the bridge construction in Glenwood. If its backed up, drive to the 2nd Glenwood exit and back track. Ok so, food in Snowmass. 8k at the Viceroy is outstanding. My favorite as well. However, Artisan and Ill Poggio are top notch. Family dinning is super easy in Snowmass with Slice or Venga Venga and a host other options. They are good and fun and right out your door.

Ski school. Snowmass spent a fortune on the "Meadows" beginner area. Yes, Buttermilk was designed in the 70s to be the beginner area, but I think Snowmass has the modern facilities (now) to teach a guest. Phil is exactly correct, pick one mountain a day, do not try to go to two in a day. Phil is also correct, once in Snowmass you really do not need a car.

Snowmass for years got a bad wrap for being a "blue" skier mountain. That all changed about 15 years ago when they added Hanging Valley and the Burnside areas. Yes, the pitch is better in Aspen, yes, Highlands Bowl is epic and unique to Colorado (and must be skied), but if you want to scare yourself straight, Snowmass has the lines.

 

The second exit is West Glenwood Springs. Stay on the south side of l-70. The Colorado River and l-70 should be on you left. You will pass a shopping mall on the right.

Stay on the side road until you get to the roundabout and then get back to 82. It's a four lane road. Turn right to Aspen.

If you need gas get it in Glenwood. The closer you get to Aspen the higher the price. Be prepared for a shock if you wait to get gas in Aspen or Snowmass.

 

What a mess! Figured I'd post the most recent update regarding I-70 west. Not sure when you were coming out..but an FYI for anyone traveling west from Denver.
Glenwood Canyon opening delayed, Rock slide closed I-70 Monday night - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

OH...I will be in Snowmass Feb 24-Mar 2nd, so I could grab a drink if you are in town. Always love chatting Ferrari. I will actually be in town to help with a winter driving event with Lamborghini. Hopefully it stays cold at night for the track.

 

I70 thru Glenwood Canyon still closed. Paper says may be open in a few days.

Boulders as large as suvs have be removed and the holes in the road have to be repaired. Costs estimated $3-5 million.

 

I70 cosed from 9-4. Otherwise pilot cars employed and waits of an hour.

 

Unreal mess. I'm going to leave tomorrow night at 9pm....get to the Canyon late and hope that works. Snow is supposed to subside by later tomorrow afternoon.

AHHHH!

 

Welcome to life in the mountains...

Sorry for the inconvenience.

CW

 

Glenwood Canyon now open one lane both ways. Pilot cars. Delays 30 to 60 minutes.