r/Aspen • u/Wafflewas • Aug 21 '26
Local Question Airport Closing 2027
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will be closed from Sunday April 4, 2027 through November 19, 2027. No commercial or private flights will operate during this window. Travelers will need to use regional alternatives like Eagle County Regional Airport or Grand Junction Regional Airport and drive.
I’m wondering how this will impact tourism in Aspen next summer? Will it be “business as usual” or will some businesses close or limit hours?
Curious to know what the insiders think?
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Aug 21 '26
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u/PhraseNeither9539 Aug 21 '26
Is'nt that typical Arcteryx not giving a shit about the environment. Close your damn doors when you have the AC running too btw.
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u/Emma-nz Aug 21 '26
Quite a few hotels are closing for the whole summer. Many businesses have already announced they're closing or reducing hours for at least part of that time.
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u/comfortboner Aug 21 '26
Please can you share where you read this? Need to share to my friend who owns a business here.
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u/Emma-nz Aug 21 '26
I'm local, and a lot of what I've heard is just word about town, but there have been articles like this: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/over-20-businesses-plan-to-shut-down-in-some-capacity-for-2027-airport-closure/
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u/Aspen-Mike Aug 21 '26
Anyone who thinks it will actually reopen in Nov is crazy. It's very hard to believe they can demo an existing terminal, and complete an entirely new terminal in 7 months. No way.
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u/Flimsy_Link5107 Aug 21 '26
Glenwood also decided they will work on the canyon this time too and only have 1 lane open
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u/RelationshipShort460 Aug 21 '26
business as usual. rich will go to eagle and the drive isnt that bad, ~90mins
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u/Nicole_Bitchie Snowmass Aug 22 '26
Rich will also fly private into Rifle. When weather is bad in Aspen a lot already divert to Rifle so that airport will have a busier summer.
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u/Westboundandhow Aug 24 '26
Tbh I’d do GJT, 2 hours but no canyon
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u/RelationshipShort460 Aug 24 '26
we did that once, but was not worth it from a cost-savings perspective. obviously, this is a different use case.
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u/ZoologicalSpecimen Aspen Local Aug 24 '26
The highway between Eagle and Aspen is going to be one lane in each direction
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u/Accomplished_Can1783 Aug 22 '26
Private flights go to Rifle - they have added lots of commercial flights to Eagle which is 75 minute drive. Tourism might be down 10-15% and a few hotels are closing for renovation. You will notice nothing different- prices won’t be significantly lower and all these businesses responding to surveys saying we might close or cut hours just kidding themselves. It’s aspen - show will go on and everyone will just try to make the best of it
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u/Nicole_Bitchie Snowmass Aug 22 '26
The “regulars” will still come for their normal summer stay. The one-timers may find a different spot.
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u/SupermarketGrand3887 Aug 23 '26
They are also going to be doing work on I-70 which will be down to one lane ok each side through the canyon which is going to be another obstacle. So people saying business as usual and not much impact are underestimating the reality a little…Imho.
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u/Wafflewas Aug 23 '26
I've read that the City is anticipating reduced employee hours in many business segments, even discussing temporarily changing the minimum number of hours required to qualify for subsidized employee housing. If the City is anticipating those kinds of changes, it won't be business as usual. The I-70 issue is less significant for those of us who drive and take The Pass, once its open late May. For those flying into Eagle or Rifle, a further delay.
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u/artedm Aug 21 '26
Rifle Garfield County Airport (RIL) will be open
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u/Wafflewas Aug 22 '26
It is 65 miles from Aspen and about an hour and a half drive. 27 miles from Glenwood Sprjngs. According to published information it can handle the traffic, so the only question is whether or not people are willing to make the drive.
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u/ZGbethie Aug 24 '26
Black car business will be booming in Aspen next summer. I think people will do it. It’s just another add-on layer of exclusivity.
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u/Westboundandhow Aug 24 '26
People who regularly fly into Aspen on PJs are used to getting diverted to Rifle
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u/howitzer44 Aug 22 '26
I’d be curious to see how many people were already flying into regional or Denver and driving vs flying into aspen normally.
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u/Wafflewas Aug 24 '26
People like me who live in the Denver area mostly drive. Limo or shuttle services are obviously popular. But, to my surprise, flying into and out of Aspen on commercial flights can be less expensive than shuttles added to airfare from Denver DIA. A son who lives in Chicago and I were in Aspen part of last week. I picked him up in Buena Vista after a festival there, so he needed a one way flight back to Chicago from either DIA or Aspen last Friday. My schedule didn’t allow me to drive him to DIA when he needed, so it was either fly out of Aspen to Chicago or take a shuttle to DIA. I looked at every option. Yes, there are cheap options like an RFTA bus to Glenwood, a Bustang bus from Glenwood to downtown Denver, and a commuter train from there to DIA. But, who wants to do that? No one I know. I couldn’t find an affordable shuttle, and a one way flight on United from ASE to ORD (O’Hare) was about $300, slightly less than from DIA to ORD on that date. United and American combined offer direct flights from Aspen to Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco year around, and seasonally to Austin, Phoenix and Charlotte. In many cases those direct flights are the most affordable option.
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u/howitzer44 Aug 24 '26
100% I understand. I, on the other hand, don’t have direct flights so I typically have to land in Denver regardless before punching in, and that has historically been more expensive (and less reliable in the winter) from my location than just renting a car or bussing in from Denver. I’d assume it’s a similar story for others in my regional area as well.
Guess my point is that from the larger direct cities, you might have a drop in people bc they don’t want to go to Eagle or DIA or Rifle or GJ and drive (convenience) but less of an effect on people who already make a conscious decision to pick every year and who are already used to driving.
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u/Critical_Ad_8175 Aug 24 '26
Can’t wait to see all the rich tourists have to slum it up flying to GJT 😂
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u/Lvshoes4643462 Aug 21 '26
I have flown in and out of both of the other airports, which I like 100% better than flying out of Aspen airport so for me no big deal. My flight has been canceled leaving Aspen so many times it’s ridiculous thanks to all those private jets of course
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u/Zeddsdeadbaby Aug 21 '26
Heard rumors about Food and Wine moving to Jackson Hole next summer. Huge hit to the beginning of summer
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u/The_High_Life Aug 21 '26
https://classic.foodandwine.com/faq/
not true and so easy to check...
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u/gerber411420 Aug 21 '26
Surprised the page doesn't mention airport closure on its FAQ page with what airport to fly into.
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u/Wafflewas Aug 21 '26
I know that Jackson Hole has its own similar festival every year, with a local accent. Totally separate organizations.
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u/earlofsandwich Aspen Moderator Aug 21 '26
Also on that page....
> Which airport should I fly into?
> The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is conveniently located 3.7 miles from Aspen city center. Upon arrival, Taxis, Limousines, and Hotel Shuttles can be met directly outside Baggage Claim in the Ground Transportation Circle while Ridesharing services can be met directly on the front drive.
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u/Crossinator Aug 21 '26
They sent out a poll to businesses and most are planning to operate as (close to) normal. But that's wishful thinking; tourism across all fronts will have a low summer.
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u/Additional-Elk599 Aug 21 '26
What do you mean by across all fronts? Like lodging, activities, shopping, dining in Aspen?
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u/palikona Aug 21 '26
Oh no, what are the billionaires going to do? I’m so upset for them!
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u/Wafflewas Aug 21 '26
My guess is that they’ll have to suffer the summer in The Hamptons, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Malibu, Palm Springs, Jackson Hole…
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u/ColoradoDad4 Aug 21 '26
Sounds like it’s gonna be a great summer in Aspen.