How to Get from Denver Airport to Snowmass

Looking to get to Snowmass, CO from Denver Airport? When it comes to traveling between these two points, there are plenty of transportation options. You can fly, drive, or take a shuttle, bus or rideshare. This guide will discuss your options in detail, plus the pros and cons for each.

Whether you’re visiting Snowmass, Colorado in the winter or summer, there are plenty of reasons to visit this world-class destination.

Skiing and luxury amenities are just the start of activities you can do here. There are also top-rated restaurants, a variety of outdoor activities, mountain biking, hiking, and luxury hotels and spas that rival any resort in the world.

So, how do you get to Snowmass from Denver Airport? Luckily, it’s pretty easy, and there are plenty of ways to do it.

Know Before You Go

Distance from Denver to Snowmass

Snowmass, CO is 170 miles from Denver Airport, and it’ll take you about 3.5 hours (without traffic) to drive there.

As far as mountain drives go, this one is pretty easy. It’s a route along I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel, then Highway 82 through the scenic Roaring Fork Valley to Snowmass.

The drive can be very challenging, however, if you take the Independence Pass route, which goes through mountainous terrain at 12,095 feet elevation.

I’ll discuss the routes in more detail below.

Should you Drive or Fly?

Snowmass does not have its own commercial airport, but Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is just 7 miles from Snowmass and has commercial flights from multiple destinations.

My thought on choosing to fly or drive between Denver and Snowmass is this — if you can fly directly from your destination into ASE, do it.

However, if flying requires that you connect through DEN, just drive via a rental car or shuttle. After you account for waiting for the connecting flight, flight time, plus the shuttle time from ASE to Snowmass, there isn’t much of a time savings.

Transportation Option 1: Rent a Car and Drive

Suitable for: Everyone

How to Book: rentalcars.com

Renting a car at DEN and driving to Snowmass is relatively straightforward. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off on one of Colorado’s most scenic drives.

The drive will take you about 3.5 hours from Denver Airport without stops or traffic. Add about 45 minutes to account for the time between landing and picking up your car.

Routes

There are two possible routes to Snowmass, though only one is available year-round:

Route 1: Via Glenwood Springs (Recommended Year-Round): super easy route, mainly along highways

• I-70 West to Glenwood Springs (Exit 116) – 120 miles
• Highway 82 South through Carbondale and Basalt – 50 miles
• Continue on Highway 82 to Snowmass Village
• Total: 170 miles, approximately 3.5 hours

Route 2: Via Independence Pass (Summer Only – NOT Recommended): challenging route that includes a steep mountain pass

• I-70 West to Highway 82 South (Exit 195) – 100 miles
• Highway 82 South over Independence Pass to Snowmass – 40 miles
• Total: 140 miles, approximately 3 hours

Important Route Notes: Independence Pass (Route 2) is closed from approximately late October through May due to snow. Even when open during summer months, I personally don’t recommend this route. Independence Pass reaches 12,095 feet elevation with steep grades, hairpin turns, and no guardrails in many sections – it’s one of the more terrifying mountain passes in Colorado. The Glenwood Springs route (Route 1) is much safer, more comfortable, and only adds about 30 minutes to your drive time.

Of course, if you are an experienced mountain driver and aren’t bothered by steep passes, go for it!

Costs

If you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll need an AWD/4WD car with snow tires or chains. Expect to pay a minimum of $100+ per day during peak ski season.

Renting a car is a great option if you plan on exploring nearby destinations around Snowmass (Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, etc.) You’ll need the car to get between these destinations.

However, if your only destination is Snowmass Village, and you plan on staying there the entire time, renting a car might not be the most practical or economical option. Snowmass Village has an excellent free shuttle system, and getting around within the village is manageable on foot or by using the village transportation.

Plus, renting a car means you’ll have to pay for parking at your hotel ($40-60+/night) on top of the rental car fees.

Pros

• Plenty of flexibility over itinerary
• Easy to pick up from the airport
• Great if your plan is to explore nearby destinations
• Scenic drive through the Colorado Rockies and Roaring Fork Valley

Cons

• Costs can quickly build up
• Mountain driving through high elevation passes requires winter preparation
• There are better solutions if you don’t plan on leaving Snowmass Village
• Parking fees at hotels add to the expense

Transportation Option 2: Fly

Suitable for: Everyone

How to Book: Airline websites or travel booking sites

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is the closest airport to Snowmass, and flying between DEN and ASE is available year-round.

If you’re flying to ASE through DEN, you’ll be doing this with United Airlines, which offers daily service year-round. There are typically 3-4 daily flights during peak season.

However, several other airlines also fly directly into ASE seasonally:

• American Airlines
  • Daily year-round from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Seasonal from Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Phoenix (PHX)
• Delta Airlines
  • Seasonal from Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), and Minneapolis (MSP)
• JetBlue Airways
  • Seasonal from Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and New York (JFK)

If you’re coming from any of the above destinations, I highly suggest looking into flying into ASE directly instead of connecting through DEN. Flights may be more expensive than DEN, but you’ll save significant time and avoid the mountain drive.

From ASE to Snowmass Village is only about a 15-minute drive, and you can take a shuttle, rideshare, or taxi.

Pros

• Most convenient option for most travelers
• Can be faster than driving
• Avoids mountain driving
• Very short transfer from ASE to Snowmass

Cons

• Not door to door – you’ll still need ground transportation from ASE
• Seasonal flights may have limited schedules
• ASE can experience weather delays due to mountain conditions

Transportation Option 3: Book a Shuttle

Suitable for: Everyone

How to Book: Colorado Mountain Express (coloradomountainexpress.com) or Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)

One of the most popular ways to travel between Denver Airport and Snowmass is via shared shuttle. Shared shuttles provide door-to-door service between DEN and your final destination in Snowmass Village. They’ll drop you off at your hotel, residence, Airbnb, etc.

Shared mountain shuttles are easy to book, and there’s little to do beyond booking and showing up.

They’re also a great option if you plan on staying in Snowmass the whole time (so you don’t need a car), and if flying into ASE isn’t a viable option.

A one-way fare from DEN starts around $139, so the costs can add up if there are multiple travelers in your party.

One of the drawbacks to a shared shuttle is being on a shared schedule. Companies like Colorado Mountain Express typically offer 3-4 shared rides per day between Denver Airport and Snowmass, so depending on your flight’s arrival time, you may have to wait or book private transportation.

Pros

• Easy to pick up from the airport
• Let someone else do the driving
• Economical for smaller parties
• Professional drivers experienced with mountain conditions
• Door-to-door service

Cons

• Departure times are somewhat limited
• Costs can quickly build up if there are multiple people in your group
• Shared schedule means potential waiting time

Transportation Option 4: Rideshare Apps

Suitable for: Everyone

How to book: Uber app or Lyft app

Yes, you can take an Uber or Lyft from Denver International Airport to Snowmass!

And it’s relatively straightforward.

If you’ve already downloaded a rideshare app, it’s simple to book a ride once you’re at the airport. Prices will vary depending on the size of the vehicle you need and time of day/traffic conditions, but you should expect to spend between $250-$450.

The benefits over using a shuttle are that you can book it at the airport when needed (and not be subject to a wait schedule), and the costs are going to be relatively the same or cheaper if you have 3 or more people in your party.

There are a few drawbacks to booking a rideshare, but your main problem will be driver availability. It’s a long journey through mountain terrain, and out-of-town trips typically have fewer drivers pick them up. You might also have to deal with longer travel times and limited luggage space depending on the driver’s vehicle.

Read my guide to catching an Uber or Lyft at Denver Airport here.

Pros

• Easy to arrange
• Can be fairly affordable for larger groups
• Can be ordered on demand
• Direct service to your destination

Cons

• Potentially limited driver availability for long mountain trips
• You won’t have your own car in Snowmass
• May encounter drivers unfamiliar with mountain driving conditions
• More expensive than other options for solo travelers

Transportation Option 5: Take a Bus

Suitable for: Those on a tight budget

How to book: ridebustang.com

There isn’t a bus that goes directly from Denver Airport to Snowmass, but you can catch the Bustang from Denver’s Union Station to Glenwood Springs, then connect with local RFTA bus service to Snowmass.

To do that, you’ll need to take the A-line train from DEN to Union Station, then catch the Bustang from there to Glenwood Springs.

The Ouray Line operates daily year-round with one departure from Union Station at 8:15am, arriving in Glenwood Springs around 1:00pm. From Glenwood Springs, you can connect with RFTA Route 1 bus service that runs to Snowmass Village.

Since there’s only one departure per day, you’ll need to plan your arrival at DEN carefully to make the 8:15am bus departure from Union Station, which likely means staying overnight in Denver.

A single ride from Denver Union Station to Glenwood Springs costs around $25, plus you’ll need to pay for the Denver Airport to Union Station train ($10.50) and the RFTA connection to Snowmass (around $5).

While this is by far the most affordable option, it’ll take the longest and requires careful timing with connections.

Pros

• Most affordable option (under $45 total)
• Scenic route through the mountains
• Let someone else do the driving
• Connects with excellent local bus system

Cons

• Takes the longest (6+ hours total including connections)
• Requires multiple transfers
• Very limited departure times
• May require overnight stay in Denver to catch morning bus

Transportation Option 6: Private Car Service

Suitable for: Those wanting luxury and convenience

How to book: Various luxury car services and hotel concierges

For a premium experience, several companies offer private car service from Denver Airport to Snowmass. This includes luxury vehicles with professional drivers who specialize in mountain driving.

Services like High Mountain Taxi and various luxury transportation companies provide SUVs and luxury vehicles for the 3.5-hour journey. Expect to pay $500-$800+ for private service, but you’ll get door-to-door luxury transportation without any of the hassles of shared shuttles or rideshares.

Many high-end hotels in Snowmass can arrange private transportation as part of their concierge services.

Pros

• Ultimate convenience and luxury
• Professional mountain drivers
• Private vehicle for your party
• Flexible departure times
• No waiting for other passengers

Cons

• Most expensive option
• Significant cost for solo travelers or couples

Final Thoughts

Traveling between Denver Airport and Snowmass offers several distinct options depending on your priorities, budget, and travel style.

For convenience and avoiding the mountain drive, flying into ASE is hard to beat if you can find direct flights from your departure city. For flexibility and the full experience of Colorado’s mountain scenery, driving gives you complete control and the chance to stop at incredible viewpoints along the way.

Budget travelers will find the bus option economical but time-consuming and requiring careful planning, while those seeking convenience without driving themselves will appreciate the shuttle services.

Whatever you choose, you’ll arrive in one of Colorado’s premier mountain destinations. Enjoy exploring Snowmass and the incredible outdoor activities that make this region so special!