Tuesday, March 09, 2010

You CAN get here from there

Per the Aspen Snowmass and Colorado Mountain Express websites (I particularly like the train option):

Travelers to Aspen/Snowmass have Numerous Options during Temporary Interstate Closure

Crews Working Now to Reopen I-70 after Rockslide
Alternate Routes to Aspen/Snowmass

The recent rockslide on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon has temporarily limited access to Aspen/Snowmass from the east via the interstate; however travelers still have many options to get to the resort via air and ground routes. Crews are working on the highway now and could reopen two lanes within a day or two. Colorado Department of Transportation will be providing updates frequently as they make progress on reopening the route. Please check the C-DOT website for the latest conditions.

More than half of the winter visitors to Aspen/Snowmass arrive directly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) and are unaffected by the incident. Travelers coming to the resort through Denver International Airport, Eagle County Airport or via I-70 from the east have many options.

Air Access
Currently there are seats available on flights into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Air travelers can reroute their flight or add a leg by contacting their airline or travel agent. Travelers who had planned to drive from Denver can book seats on these flights directly in to the resort, and arrive just three miles from downtown Aspen and six miles form Snowmass Village. Most hotels in the resort have free transportation to and from the airport. Visitors can also reroute flights into the following airports:
  • Grand Junction Walker Field (GJT):   124 miles from ASE (2 hours via I-70 west), served by American, Delta, United, U.S. Air & Allegiant
  • Montrose County Airport (MTJ):  135 miles from ASE (3 hours over McClure Pass), served by American, Continental, Delta & United
  • Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN):  174 miles from ASE (3 hours via Rifle/Craig), served by American, Continental, Delta & United
  • Gunnison County Airport (GUC):  199 miles from ASE (4 ½ hours via Montrose), served by American, Delta & United

Ground Access

Access to Aspen/Snowmass is still possible from both the east and west via shuttle services, rental cars and Amtrak. The trip is currently six hours from Eagle (287 miles) and seven and a half hours form Denver (379 miles).

Amtrak runs regularly scheduled train service from Denver’s Union Station to Glenwood Springs (only 45 minutes from Aspen/Snowmass). Trains depart daily at 8:05 a.m. and arrive in Glenwood at 1:53 p.m. and tickets are just $39 one way. The daily train from Glenwood to Denver departs at 12:50 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 7:18 p.m. There are shuttle services, taxi, rental cars and public bus options available for the 40 mile trip between Glenwood Springs and Aspen/Snowmass. Passengers may take a shuttle services or taxi from Denver International Airport to Union Station.

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