
Vail, Colorado is a popular destination for skiing and other outdoor activities. Vail does not have its own airport, but it is easily accessible via the Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE). The airport is located 37 miles from Vail and offers a range of flights from major US cities, making it a convenient option for travellers. With a long runway and modern navigation systems, the airport provides reliable service and is a vital gateway for those heading to nearby ski resorts.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of the airport | Eagle County Regional Airport |
Location | Gypsum, Colorado, United States |
Distance from Vail | 37 miles |
Distance from Eagle | 4 miles |
Area | 632 acres |
Number of runways | 1 |
Number of gates | 5 |
Year of terminal construction | 1996 |
Year of terminal remodelling | 2001, 2007, 2019 |
Yearly passenger traffic | 36 jet flights a week in 1994 |
Parking rates | $8 per day for short-term parking, $6 per day for long-term parking |
Accessibility | Accessible parking available at no charge for people with disabilities |
Nearby airports | Denver International Airport |
What You'll Learn
Eagle County Regional Airport
The airport is the primary commercial airport for the Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts, so its service is highly seasonal, with more flights in the winter than the rest of the year. The airport is also popular for private aviation, with frequent private jet traffic. Several major air carriers operate direct flights from many major US cities, including Dallas, Denver, Chicago, and Atlanta.
In terms of ground transportation, the airport offers various options, including private car services, shared airport shuttles, taxi cabs, and rideshare services. Several car rental companies also operate at the airport. Vail is approximately a 40-minute drive or shuttle ride from the airport.
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Vail/Eagle Airport
Vail, Colorado, is served by the Eagle County Regional Airport, which is sometimes referred to as the Vail/Eagle Airport. The airport is located in Gypsum, Colorado, and is about a 40-minute drive or shuttle ride from Vail. It covers 632 acres and has a single runway that is approximately 9000 feet long. The runway is designed to accommodate landings in challenging conditions, including reduced visibility and adverse weather.
The airport provides non-stop flights from 14 major markets during the winter and services from Dallas and Denver in the summer. Denver service is available year-round. Several major carriers operate direct flights to and from Eagle County Regional Airport, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and Skywest Airlines. The airport is a popular choice for travellers heading to nearby ski resorts, such as Vail and Beaver Creek, with more flights operating in the winter than the rest of the year.
Eagle County Regional Airport has a terminal with five gates, a pre-security concession/gift shop, three luggage carousels, and a ski/snowboard slide. The terminal also offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a bar. In addition, the airport has customs facilities for private aircraft at the Vail Valley Jet Center. The airport is committed to sustainability and has joined The Good Traveler initiative, reducing over 119,000 metric tons of carbon emissions in collaboration with other eco-conscious airports and airlines.
The airport has been recognised for its challenging conditions and procedures, ranking 8th on The History Channel's list of "Most Extreme Airports" in 2010. The elevation, weather, approach through mountainous terrain, and departure procedures contribute to its reputation as an extreme airport. Despite these challenges, the airport ensures reliable service with its long runway, modern navigation aids, and experienced air traffic controllers.
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Transport options to Vail
Yes, Vail, Colorado does have an airport. The Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) is located about 40 minutes away from Vail by car or shuttle. The airport provides year-round service to Denver and Dallas in the summer. During the winter, non-stop flights are available from 14 major markets.
By Air
As mentioned, Eagle County Regional Airport is the closest airport to Vail, located just 40 miles away. Several major airlines fly into Eagle and offer direct flights from many major US cities.
By Car
Vail is easily accessible by car from various directions:
- From the East: Take Interstate 70 through Denver and continue west through the mountains. Vail is approximately 100 miles from Denver.
- From the West: Take I-70 through Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs. Vail is a 50-minute drive from Glenwood Springs.
- From the North in Colorado: Take I-25 south to Denver, then switch to I-70 west. Vail is about 100 miles from Denver.
- From the South in Colorado: Take I-25 north to Denver, then go west on I-70. For a scenic route, instead of taking I-70, head to Highway 522 to Highway 17. From there, you'll pass through the Arkansas River Valley, over the Continental Divide, and through Leadville to reach Vail.
By Bus
Vail has a comprehensive and free town bus service, offering transportation to and from Vail Mountain and throughout the town. Real-time bus locations, arrival predictions, service alerts, and crowding levels are available to passengers.
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Seasonal flight availability
Vail, Colorado, is served by Eagle County Regional Airport (IATA: EGE), located in Gypsum, Colorado. The airport is approximately 37 miles from Vail and is accessible via a 40-minute drive or shuttle ride. As the primary commercial airport for the Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts, Eagle County Regional Airport experiences high seasonality in flight availability, with an increased number of flights during the winter months.
During the winter season, Eagle County Regional Airport provides non-stop flights from 14 major markets. American, Delta, and United Airlines offer daily flights to popular cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York–JFK. Additionally, they provide select Saturday flights to New York–LaGuardia and Philadelphia and holiday flights to destinations like Phoenix and Salt Lake City.
In the summer, the airport offers nonstop flights to Chicago–O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. Dallas/Fort Worth is also served by American Airlines nearly year-round, operating during all seasons except fall. Denver is the only city with year-round service to and from Eagle County Regional Airport.
The airport has a long runway of approximately 9,000 feet, which allows larger aircraft to land safely, even in reduced visibility or adverse weather conditions. This feature, along with modern navigation aids and experienced air traffic controllers, ensures reliable service for travellers heading to nearby ski resorts.
While the winter season sees an increase in flight options, travellers should be aware of potential weather-related delays or cancellations, especially during peak holiday travel times when snow and icy conditions are more prevalent. Nevertheless, the airport is well-equipped to handle these challenges with specialised snow removal equipment, experienced staff, and efficient de-icing protocols.
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Airport facilities
Eagle County Regional Airport (IATA: EGE, ICAO: KEGE, FAA LID: EGE) is located in Gypsum, Colorado, and is the closest airport to Vail, Colorado. The airport is also sometimes referred to as the Vail/Eagle Airport as it is located 4 miles from Eagle and 37 miles from Vail. The airport covers 632 acres and has one long runway of approximately 9,000 feet, which is specifically designed to accommodate landings in challenging conditions. This includes reduced visibility and adverse weather, allowing larger aircraft to land safely.
The airport terminal has one concourse with five gates and was remodelled in 2019, with the addition of four gates with jet bridges. There are four TSA screening lanes, a pre-security concession/gift shop, and three luggage carousels, in addition to a special ski/snowboard slide. The airport also offers free wifi in the terminal. Beyond the security checkpoint, there is a restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop, and bar. The airport also has customs facilities for private aircraft located at the Vail Valley Jet Center. The Eagle County Sheriff provides airport security response, and the airport has its own Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) department with three fire trucks, including two Oshkosh Striker trucks.
Several major airlines serve the airport, including American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines, with year-round and seasonal flights to and from many major U.S. cities. These include Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Denver, and New York. The airport is a popular choice for travellers heading to nearby ski resorts, including Vail and Beaver Creek, with more flights in the winter than the rest of the year.
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Frequently asked questions
Vail, Colorado does not have its own airport, but it is a 40-minute drive or shuttle ride from the Eagle County Regional Airport.
The Eagle County Regional Airport offers short-term parking at $8 per day, with the first two hours free when you register your license plate. The long-term parking rate is $6 per day. Accessible parking is also available at no charge in designated areas for people with disabilities.
The Eagle County Regional Airport provides free wifi in the terminal. Beyond the security checkpoint, there is a restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop, and bar.