Winter travel is unpredictable at best with surprise storms, unexpected delays, and canceled flights. However, you can beat the ski travel blues by choosing ski resorts close to an airport with direct flights serviced by major airlines into and out of some of North America’s major cities. Pairing the right ski resort with the right airport can limit missed connections, eliminate lengthy white-knuckle drives, and make travel less stressful. Below, see our recommendations for U.S. airports with easy ski resort access, and then check out our North America flight guides here.
Airports With Easy Ski Resort Access
1. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
Jackson Hole Airport, located at the base of the Teton Range, is approximately 20 miles from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and less than 10 miles from the town of Jackson. The airport has nonstop airline service from up to 16 destinations throughout the United States during peak seasons, and is served year-round by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and seasonally by Frontier Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.
Bonus: Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, conveniently located within Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations to fly into.
» Find cheap flights to Jackson Hole
2. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Few cities can boast the ski resort access that Salt Lake City does. Flying into Salt Lake City International (SLC) puts skiers and riders within an hour’s drive of 11 ski areas, including Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Sundance.
Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the West’s major hubs, served by 10 airlines and their affiliates offering more than 700 daily non-stop flights to/from 95-plus destinations. Airlines that fly into SLC include AeroMexico, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, SkyWest, Southwest, and United. SLC is a major hub for Delta Air Lines with about 70 percent of total traffic.
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3. Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
If you’re looking to skip the long, sometimes traffic-laden or snowy drive from Denver to Vail, then catch a winter flight into Eagle County Regional Airport on United, Delta, or American Airlines. Most flights to Vail/Eagle are operated by American, connecting numerous airports to EGE. Eagle County’s convenient, high-elevation airport places skiers and riders within a 40-minute drive of Beaver Creek and Vail, and an hour drive to Copper Mountain. In many cases there’s easy shuttle service to your hotel, too.
» Find cheap flights into Eagle County Regional Airport
4. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Located in the heart of cowboy country, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the closest airport to Big Sky, and provides nonstop flights to and from 16 cities across the country, including Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle. Served by Delta, Allegiant, Alaska, Avelo, JetBlue, United and American Airlines, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is just a 25-mile drive from Bridger Bowl and 50 miles from Big Sky Resort.
» Find cheap flights into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
5. Burlington International Airport (BTV)
Fly direct into Vermont’s Burlington International Airport from 10 cities, including New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Toronto. Enjoy easy access to Smugglers’ Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort, located approximately one hour from Burlington International Airport.
BTV is the closest airport to Vermont Ski resorts, and is serviced by Delta, JetBlue, American, Frontier, and United Airlines. Renting a car gives you access to other favorite Vermont resorts further south such as Bolton Valley, Sugarbush, Mad River, and Killington in Central Vermont.
» Find cheap flights into Burlington Airport
6. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (also known as Sardy Field) is situated within 10 minutes of Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Village. Major carriers like Delta, United, and American provide nonstop service from some of the country’s biggest hubs. You can plan a direct flight to Aspen from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver. Travelers from many other cities can also connect through Denver. It’s not only easier and more convenient than driving from Denver, but the flight into Aspen is stunning.
7. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Hop aboard a Delta, Alaska, Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest, JetBlue, United, American, or Volaris flight to Reno from a number of hubs across the country and you’ll be skiing the Sierras in no time. Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) is located within a one-hour drive of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is the closest major airport to fly into for access to all Lake Tahoe ski resorts on either the north or south shores. Consider making Reno your base for great hotel deals, lots of casinos, and a fun nightlife scene. Don’t sleep on Mt. Rose, which is the closest ski area to Reno, located 30 minutes away.
» Find cheap flights to Reno Airport
8. Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN)
Alaska, Delta Connection, and United Express Airlines offer direct service into Sun Valley’s Friedman Memorial Airport, putting skiers and riders within 15 miles of the fabled Sun Valley ski slopes from a variety of major markets. Nonstop flights are available from Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to Sun Valley. For added convenience, shuttle service is available from Hailey Friedman Airport to Sun Valley Resort.
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9. Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) / Bishop Airport (BIH)
Air travel to Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain, the third most-visited ski resort in the United States, has gotten a whole lot easier. United Airlines now offers daily service to Bishop (BIH) airport from San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN). BIH flights replaced daily United service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), making winter air travel to California’s most popular mountain resort more accessible and opening the door for expanded flight routes and access to Mammoth Lakes in the near future. Shuttle and rental car services are both available at Bishop Airport, while there’s also free and regular bus service throughout Mammoth Lakes. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Bishop to Mammoth Lakes.
In addition, there’s Advanced Air service into MMH, which is just 12 miles from Mammoth Mountain. Advanced Air is now offering regional service to and from Burbank (BUR), Hawthorne (HHR), and Carlsbad (CLD) airports. Advanced Air flights also have the advantage of being able to land at BIH in the event of inclement weather in Mammoth Lakes.
» Find cheap flights to Mammoth Yosemite Airport
10. Montrose-Telluride Regional Airport (MTJ)
Telluride-bound skiers and riders have a few different flight options. Montrose Regional Airport, dubbed the “runway to recreation,” is about as close as you can get with wings for a good-sized regional airport to Telluride, which is about 90 minutes away. You can fly into Montrose non-stop from numerous cities around the U.S., including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Denver, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and New York City. For even quicker access, take advantage of Denver Air Connection’s service from Denver and Phoenix into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), which is located just 10 minutes from Telluride.
» Find cheap flights to Montrose-Telluride Airport
11. Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)
Fly into Colorado’s Yampa Valley Regional Airport to be just a 30-minute drive from Steamboat Resort (22 miles). There are non-stop flights to Yampa Valley Regional Airport from major airports across the country on Alaska, American, JetBlue, Southwest, and United during the winter season. While Steamboat is the headliner, travelers also have convenient access to the towns of Hayden, Craig, and the rest of this beautiful Valley.
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12. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)
Many skiers to Montana fly into Bozeman, and for good reason, since it’s the closest airport to Big Sky Resort, the largest ski resort in Montana. But don’t sleep on Whitefish. After grabbing your luggage, you can be on the mountain in 30 minutes when you fly into Glacier Park International Airport. It’s just 15 minutes to the town of Whitefish, and a half-hour from FCA to Whitefish Mountain Resort, which we included in our list of the best uncrowded ski resorts. What’s more, it’s just a 40-minute drive to Glacier National Park. There are few destinations that have the incredible outdoor access and convenience as Whitefish, and Glacier Park International Airport makes it easy to get outdoors in a jiff.
» Find cheap flights to Glacier Airport
October 05, 2024
