Aspen, Colorado: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Aspen, Colorado is a popular destination for winter sports, with its iconic ski resorts surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. The city is also a year-round vacation spot, offering historic theatres, museums, high-end shopping, and dining options. Travellers can conveniently reach Aspen by air through the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), also known as Sardy Field. This airport is located just 3 miles from downtown Aspen, making it the most convenient option for those planning a ski trip. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport offers daily non-stop services from various US cities and is known for its friendly services and easy parking.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is 3 miles from Aspen

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, also known as Sardy Field, is located just 3 miles from downtown Aspen, Colorado. This makes it the most convenient airport for anyone planning a ski vacation in the area, as it is just minutes from the heart of Aspen.

The airport covers an area of 573 acres at an elevation of 7,820 feet above mean sea level. It has one asphalt-paved runway with a partial-length parallel taxiway. The airport is owned by Pitkin County and is located off of HWY 82, across from the Aspen Airport Business Center. The address is 233 Airport Road, Aspen, CO 81611.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport offers quick and convenient access to ground transportation, car rentals, and parking. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) offers a free local bus service that includes trips between the airport and the town of Aspen. Bus service provided by RFTA is free into Aspen and Snowmass Village. There are also several independent transportation companies that provide shuttle services to Aspen from the airport for a fee.

The airport terminal is a 44,000-square-foot single-floor facility with six rental car operations, a year-round guest services operation, a restaurant, and gift shops. The terminal also has a cellphone parking lot to accommodate motorists waiting to pick up passengers. Parking is generally easy at the airport, with two lots located just steps from the terminal entrance. The first 30 minutes of parking are free, with rates increasing incrementally thereafter.

Aspen Airport parking and transportation

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is located just 3 miles from downtown Aspen, making it the most convenient airport for anyone planning a ski vacation in the area. The airport offers a range of ground transportation options, including walk-up metered taxi and pre-arranged limousine services, hotel shuttles, and ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) also offers a free local bus service between the airport and the town of Aspen.

ASE offers two convenient parking lots for travellers: the Bear Lot and the Elk Lot (Economy). The Bear Lot is located just steps from the terminal entrance, while the Elk Lot is a short walk from Baggage Claim. The first 30 minutes are free in both lots, with the next 30 minutes and the hour after that charged at a higher rate. From 2 to 12 hours, the rate is $6 per hour with a max of $40. After 12 hours, the rate returns to the daily max and the $40 is no longer included. The daily rate for the Bear Lot is $12, while the Elk Lot is $6 per day. It's important to note that unattended vehicles are not permitted along the front drive or in the Ground Transportation Circle.

If you're looking for private transportation to and from the airport, GO Airport Shuttle offers a range of safe and affordable options, including private vans, direct rides, and a premium car service. They also provide shared shuttles when available. Reservations are required for transportation from the airport to your destination, but advance booking is not necessary for passengers departing the airport, as rides can be arranged at their booths in baggage claim.

Aspen Airport's history

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is located just three miles from downtown Aspen, Colorado, in the Rocky Mountain region. The airport is also known as Sardy Field and is a county-owned public-use airport.

The site where Aspen/Pitkin County Airport stands today was first occupied by settlers in 1881, with the establishment of the Stapleton ranch, a 320-acre homestead. The first building on the site was a log cabin, which sat on the east side of the present-day runway. The Stapleton family were ranchers, growing potatoes and raising animals.

In 1946, a private gravel airstrip opened on the Stapleton ranch, founded by Walter Paepcke and John Spachner. The airstrip was open to the public but was mainly used by the aviation department of the Aspen Institute, the precursor of Aspen Airways. The original facility consisted of a log cabin terminal building and a gravel runway.

In 1956, the Aspen Airport Corporation officially deeded the airport to Pitkin County, making it a publicly owned public-use airport. This was one of the requirements for federal participation in airport development. The following year, the Civil Aeronautics Administration and Pitkin County funded the initial construction of Runway 15/33, a connecting taxiway, and an apron. This effort was led by Commissioner Thomas J. Sardy, and the airport was renamed Sardy Field in his honour in 1958.

The runway has been expanded several times since its original construction, reaching its current dimensions in 2011. The airport terminal has also undergone several renovations and expansions since its original construction in 1976.

Airlines and destinations

Aspen, Colorado is served by Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), also known as Sardy Field. The airport is located just 3 miles from downtown Aspen, making it the most convenient airport for anyone planning a ski vacation in the area.

As of early 2018, Delta, United, and American Airlines provide daily non-stop services to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport from departure points all over the United States. Specific flight details vary by season, with the greatest availability in winter.

During the winter of 2024-2025, the airport offered daily nonstop flights to and from Chicago O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. Throughout the year, there are also daily nonstop services to and from Chicago O'Hare.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport offers direct flights to and from Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Austin, and Houston. With 37 flights per day and up to 256 flights per week during the peak of winter, there are plenty of options for travellers.

In addition to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, travellers can also opt for nearby airports such as Eagle County Regional Airport, Grand Junction Regional Airport, Denver International Airport, and Colorado Springs Airport. These airports offer alternative routes to Aspen, often with lower prices and a wider range of flights.

Aspen Airport's unique operating limitations

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, also known as Sardy Field, is located just 3 miles from downtown Aspen, Colorado. The airport is unique in several ways, with some of its standout features being:

Operating Limitations Due to Local Legislation and Airfield Size:

• Aircraft at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport are restricted to a wingspan of 95 feet due to the separation between the runway and a parallel taxiway.
• The airport also enforces a maximum weight limit of 100,000 pounds for aircraft due to the condition of the runway.
• These restrictions have a direct impact on commercial airline services, requiring them to use smaller regional aircraft that comply with the weight and size limits. Most mainline aircraft, such as the Boeing 737, are generally prohibited from operating at this airport.

Curfew and Noise Restrictions:

• Aspen/Pitkin County Airport has a curfew in place, prohibiting operations between 11 PM and 7 AM. No aircraft departures are permitted after 10:30 PM.
• Jet aircraft with louder engines, categorized as FAA Stage II, are only permitted to take off within 30 minutes after official sunset.
• The airport also implements noise abatement procedures for inbound and outbound flights, including specific flight paths and the use of minimum reverse thrust during landing.

Approach and Departure Procedures:

• Due to the mountain range south of the runway, most aircraft taking off from Runway 33 must fly towards the north. Similarly, aircraft landing on Runway 15 approach from the south.
• This "head-to-head" or "wrap-around" procedure requires careful coordination and compliance with air traffic control instructions to ensure safe operations and avoid potential collisions.
• These procedures can lead to delays, cancellations, and weight restrictions, especially when dealing with strong or unfavorable wind conditions.

Specially Qualified Crews and Aircraft:

• The unique approach and operational challenges at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport require specially qualified crews and aircraft certified by the FAA.
• As of 2024, SkyWest Airlines is the only commercial operator with crews qualified to operate into Aspen, and only the Bombardier CRJ700 and Embraer 175 aircraft are currently certified for this airport.

Frequently asked questions