What Happens When I-70 Closes? A Former Trooper’s Guide
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Denver Airport (DIA) to Snowmass Village Car Service
Premium Airport Transfers to Snowmass
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Planned Around Your Flight into Denver
Snowmass Village is where families and large groups go for Aspen skiing with more room to spread out. Summit Black Car runs the transfer from Denver International as a private, prearranged trip in a vehicle sized to your party. We are a luxury chauffeur service based in Breckenridge, founded by Andrew Siegel, a former Colorado State Trooper and executive protection professional, and our chauffeurs live in the mountain towns they drive. The phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Your chauffeur has been tracking the aircraft, meets you at DIA, loads bags and skis, and drives about 215 miles west along I-70 and Highway 82 to the Brush Creek Road turnoff and up into Snowmass Village. The vehicle carries only your group, and it stops where you are staying, whether that is a Base Village hotel or a ski-in/ski-out home. Get an Instant Quote at summitblackcar.com/book-now/ or call 970-485-3494 any time.
At a Glance
Distance
About 215 miles from Jeppesen Terminal to Snowmass Village
Typical drive time
About 3 hours 55 minutes in dry conditions
Winter and holiday drive time
About 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes
Route
I-70 west over the Continental Divide and Vail Pass to Glenwood Springs, Highway 82 through Carbondale and Basalt, then Brush Creek Road about 5 miles short of Aspen
Meet point
DIA Level 5, Island 2 (signed LIMO), or a name-sign meet at baggage claim
Vehicles
Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Mercedes-Benz Executive Sprinter, Ford Transit, Rolls-Royce Cullinan by request
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Law Enforcement-Owned
Based in Breckenridge
Late-Model SUVs & Sprinters
Open 24/7
Our Vehicles
Late-model luxury SUVs for up to five passengers, the Executive Sprinter for thirteen, and an executive van for fourteen. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is available by request.
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LUXURY SUV
LUXURY SUV
EXECUTIVE SPRINTER
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The Drive
The best way to picture the DIA to Snowmass drive is in four parts, each a little under an hour in good conditions.
The first part is the run out of Denver. Your chauffeur leaves Jeppesen Terminal, crosses the metro area and joins I-70 westbound. The interstate stays flat until Floyd Hill, where the climb into the mountains begins, and then threads through Idaho Springs and Georgetown on its way up to the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. The tunnel bore sits at 11,158 feet and takes I-70 under the Continental Divide.
The second part is Summit County and Vail Pass. Coming out of the tunnel the road drops past Silverthorne and Dillon at exit 205, Frisco at exit 203 and Copper Mountain at exit 195, then climbs again to Vail Pass at 10,662 feet. This is the stretch where a family that has been traveling since early morning usually settles in, and the Sprinter’s cabin is quiet enough for children to sleep through it.
The third part is the Eagle Valley and Glenwood Canyon. After Vail at exits 180 and 176 and Avon and Beaver Creek at exit 167, the interstate passes Eagle and Gypsum at exit 140, home to Eagle County Regional Airport, and continues to Dotsero. From mile marker 133 to mile marker 116 I-70 runs through Glenwood Canyon, a section that can close for rockfall or mudslides and that your chauffeur watches on every trip.
The fourth part is Highway 82. At Glenwood Springs, exit 116, the vehicle leaves the interstate and turns southeast through Carbondale and Basalt. The valley narrows as you go, and a little under 40 miles from Glenwood Springs, about 5 miles before Aspen, the chauffeur turns onto Brush Creek Road. Snowmass Village is up that road, and the last few minutes climb from the valley floor to Base Village, Snowmass Mall and the residential roads above them. Unlike an Aspen transfer, you never enter Aspen itself on the way in, which saves a few minutes of in-town traffic.
Independence Pass, which carries Highway 82 east of Aspen, is irrelevant to this route in every season. It closes each winter around the first week of November and reopens the Thursday before Memorial Day, and it lies on the far side of Aspen from Snowmass in any case.
When the Road Closes
Winter closures on this route come from the Eisenhower Tunnel, Vail Pass and Glenwood Canyon, and each is handled differently. When the tunnel shuts for a storm, crash or hazmat hold and the closure is limited to the east approach, there is a mountain detour: US-285 to Fairplay and Highway 9 north over Hoosier Pass at 11,542 feet into Breckenridge, then Highway 9 to Frisco and back onto I-70 west. Your chauffeur only takes it when the interstate is confirmed open beyond Frisco, because a detour that delivers you to a second closure is worse than waiting.
Vail Pass and Glenwood Canyon have no practical alternates for a vehicle carrying a family and a week of luggage. When either closes we stop somewhere comfortable, watch the reopening estimate, and continue as soon as the road opens. With a group of children on board, that usually means a meal break in Vail, Avon or Eagle rather than idling in a closure line, and your chauffeur will make that call with you.
Every vehicle on this transfer meets the Colorado Traction Law, in force from September 1 to May 31 on I-70 between Morrison at mile marker 259 and Dotsero at mile marker 133. The law requires AWD or 4WD with 3/16 inch of tread on winter, all-weather or M+S tires, or chains or approved traction devices, and our SUVs and Sprinters are equipped to that standard for the entire season.
Where We Meet You
Families arriving at Denver International with car seats, strollers and ski bags usually prefer to be met inside. On request your chauffeur waits at your baggage carousel in Jeppesen Terminal, helps collect the bags and walks the group out to the vehicle. Tell us when you book and we will arrange it.
The standard meet is at the car service island on Level 5, Island 2, signed LIMO. Leave baggage claim through Door 511 on the east side or Door 506 on the west side and cross to Island 2. The east doors 505 to 507 and 511 to 513 and the west doors 504 to 506 and 510 to 512 all reach the same island if you come out a different door. Because DIA does not allow chauffeurs to idle at the curb, your vehicle is released from the holding lot when you check in with us or send a text, and it pulls up within a few minutes.
Your flight is tracked from departure, so a delayed or early arrival is already known to your chauffeur before you land. There is no need to call from the plane.
Where We Drop Off
Snowmass Village has two commercial centers, Base Village and Snowmass Mall, and a wide spread of residential roads, and we deliver to all of them. Hotel guests are dropped at the entrance of the Viceroy, the Limelight Snowmass or the Westin Snowmass, and the chauffeur hands the bags to the bell staff so you can check in without a second trip to the vehicle.
Many of our Snowmass guests are staying in private homes and condominiums on the ski-in/ski-out slopes above the villages. Those addresses are the reason a chauffeured SUV or Sprinter is the right way to arrive. The driveways are steep, the roads are narrow and snowpacked in winter, and a large group with luggage does not want to sort out a shuttle stop below and walk the last stretch. Your chauffeur takes the vehicle to the door and unloads the gear there.
If some of your party is staying in Aspen, the town is about 5 miles farther along Highway 82, and a two-stop transfer covering Snowmass and Aspen is simple to arrange when you book.
Vehicles for This Route
Snowmass draws large parties, and the Mercedes-Benz Executive Sprinter is the vehicle we assign most often on this transfer. It seats 13, carries skis and snowboards inside rather than on a roof rack, and gives a family or a group of friends room to talk, work or sleep over nearly four hours. The Ford Transit seats 14 and handles the same job for the biggest groups. For a party too large for a single vehicle we run two, departing DIA together.
Smaller groups of up to five ride in the Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Suburban. Both are AWD with winter tires and rooftop ski carriers, and the Suburban is the pick when the luggage count is high. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is available on this route by request for guests who want it.
Child seats are provided when requested, and for a Snowmass transfer that is a common request. Tell us the ages of the children so the correct seats are installed before pickup. Wi-Fi and bottled water are on board, and the chauffeur loads and unloads every bag. When you book, give us the passenger count, the number of bags, the number of ski or snowboard bags and any child seat needs, and we will assign the vehicle that fits. We do not promise unlimited capacity in any vehicle.
Your Return Trip to the Airport
Departure day from Snowmass follows the same math as the inbound trip. Allow the drive time, which is about 3 hours 55 minutes when the road is dry and 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes in winter or on a holiday, then add 30 to 45 minutes of winter weather margin and the check-in time your airline recommends for a group of your size. Families checking several ski bags should treat the airline’s guidance as a minimum.
Sunday afternoons and holiday Mondays are the slowest eastbound periods on I-70, and Snowmass groups leaving after a last morning on the hill tend to hit exactly that window. If your departure is on one of those days we will recommend an earlier pickup. Your chauffeur will propose the pickup time when you book, and we track your outbound flight so a schedule change can be reflected in the plan.
Private Car vs Shared Shuttle vs Rideshare vs Rental
A shared shuttle is the most common alternative for Snowmass. It follows a timetable, picks up other passengers at the airport, and drops at a central point in the village rather than your driveway. For a family with small children, car seats and several ski bags, the loading, waiting and transfer at the far end are the parts that wear thin.
Rideshare rarely works for a group of this size at all. Vehicles that seat more than four with luggage are harder to find at DIA, the drive is more than 200 miles, and few drivers will accept a trip that ends in a resort village where they will not find a fare home. Traction law compliance and winter tires are unknown until the car arrives.
A rental car gives you a vehicle for the week, but a large family often needs two, someone has to drive nearly four hours after a flight, and in winter the traction law requires tires and drive systems that rental fleets do not always provide. Once at a ski-in/ski-out home, the car frequently stays parked.
A private chauffeur is a premium choice, and it is the one that fits a large group best. One vehicle carries everyone and everything, the schedule follows your flight, the driver lives in the mountains and knows the road, and you are dropped at your door. Quotes are prepared through the Book Now form for your specific date, party and vehicle.
Ride in Style
Ready to get on the road in one of our luxury black cars? Reserve your ride today!
What to Expect
1
Book Our Service
Request an instant quote on the Book Now page with your dates, passenger count, bags and any child seats, then reserve once it is confirmed.
2
Meet Your Driver
We confirm the pickup time and location as your date approaches and track your flight on the day. If plans change, call or text us and we adjust.
3
Enjoy the Ride
Your chauffeur loads the luggage and gear and drives you to the door. Enjoy the Wi-Fi, the water and the view while we handle the road.
About Summit Black Car
Our founders are former law enforcement officers who bring their specialized training and years of experience to Summit Black Car.
We’re focused on safe and discreet premium car services for anyone looking for a reliable transportation partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
About 215 miles. In dry conditions the drive takes about 3 hours 55 minutes, and in winter or on a holiday weekend it runs 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes. Snowmass is a few minutes closer to Denver than Aspen because the Brush Creek Road turnoff comes about 5 miles before town.
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is about 10 miles from Snowmass Village and is the shortest transfer when flights and weather cooperate. Many families choose DIA for the wider choice of nonstop flights and the lower chance of a weather cancellation, and accept the longer drive. We serve Snowmass from DIA, EGE and ASE, so you can pick the airport that fits your flights.
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport closes to all flights from April 4, 2027 at 11 p.m. until November 19, 2027 at 7 p.m. for runway and terminal construction. Snowmass visitors during that stretch will fly into Denver or Eagle, and this DIA transfer will be the main way in for summer 2027 guests.
Usually, yes. The Mercedes-Benz Executive Sprinter seats 13 and the Ford Transit seats 14, with skis and boards inside. Bag space is finite in any vehicle, so tell us the exact passenger count, luggage count and number of ski bags when you book. If one vehicle will be tight we will tell you and suggest a second.
Yes, on request. Give us the number and ages of the children when booking and the seats will be installed before your chauffeur leaves for DIA. Bringing your own seats is also fine; the chauffeur will help install them and they ride with the luggage on the return trip.
Wherever you are staying. That includes hotel entrances at the Viceroy and Limelight Snowmass in Base Village, the Westin Snowmass at Snowmass Mall, and the door of a private home or condominium on the ski-in/ski-out slopes. If part of your group is staying in Aspen, we can add that stop about 5 miles farther on.
Your chauffeur monitors the corridor throughout the trip. For a tunnel closure with the road open beyond Frisco, the detour over Hoosier Pass is an option. For Vail Pass or Glenwood Canyon there is no short alternate, so we stop somewhere comfortable, wait for the reopening and continue. You are kept informed the whole time.
Yes. Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt are all along Highway 82 before the Brush Creek Road turnoff, and a grocery stop before arriving at a ski-in/ski-out home is a common request from families. Let us know when you book so the stop is planned into the trip time.
