Winter travel often brings challenges such as unexpected storms, flight delays, cancellations, and difficult road conditions. However, many of these issues can be avoided by selecting ski resorts located near airports that offer direct flights through major airlines. Pairing the appropriate ski resort with a convenient airport can help prevent missed connections, eliminate lengthy and stressful drives, and ultimately make travel less complicated.
For those accessing Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain, a top-visited ski resort in the United States, air travel has become more accessible. United Airlines now provides seasonal daily service to Bishop (BIH) airport from San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN). These BIH flights have replaced the previous daily United service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), enhancing winter air access to the region. Bishop Airport is approximately a 45-minute drive from Mammoth Lakes, offering shuttle and rental car services. Additionally, free and regular bus service operates throughout Mammoth Lakes.
Advanced Air also provides regional service into Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), which is located just 12 miles from Mammoth Mountain. This service connects to and from Hawthorne (HHR) and Carlsbad (CLD) airports. An advantage of Advanced Air flights is their ability to divert and land at Bishop Airport (BIH) if weather conditions at Mammoth Lakes are unfavorable.
Beyond the Eastern Sierra, several other U.S. airports offer streamlined access to prominent ski destinations. Jackson Hole Airport, situated at the base of the Teton Range, is roughly 20 miles from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and less than 10 miles from the town of Jackson. During peak seasons, it offers nonstop airline service from up to 15 U.S. destinations. Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, and United serve the airport year-round, while Frontier Airlines and Sun Country Airlines provide seasonal service. Notably, Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located within a national park, specifically Grand Teton National Park.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) serves as a major hub in the West, with over 10 airlines and affiliates providing hundreds of daily non-stop flights to more than 100 destinations. Airlines at SLC include AeroMexico, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, SkyWest, Southwest, and United. Delta Air Lines is a primary carrier, accounting for approximately 70 percent of total traffic. From SLC, skiers and riders are within an hour's drive of 10 ski resorts, including Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Sundance.
For those heading to Vail without the potentially long or snowy drive from Denver, winter flights into Eagle County Regional Airport offer a convenient alternative. United, Delta, and American provide winter flights, with American connecting from various cities nationwide. This high-elevation airport is within a 40-minute drive of Beaver Creek and Vail, and approximately an hour from Copper Mountain. Shuttle services to hotels are often available.
In Montana, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is a key gateway for Big Sky. It offers nonstop flights to and from many cities, 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. Airlines serving BZN include Delta, Allegiant, Alaska, Avelo, JetBlue, United, Southwest, and American. The airport is a 25-mile drive from Bridger Bowl and 50 miles from Big Sky Resort. Further west in Montana, Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) is 15 minutes from the town of Whitefish and a 30-minute drive to Whitefish Mountain Resort. It also provides a 40-minute drive to Glacier National Park.
Vermont’s Burlington International Airport (BTV) offers direct flights from over 10 cities, such as New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. It is served by Delta, American, Frontier, Breeze, and United Airlines. BTV is the closest major airport to numerous Vermont ski resorts, with Smugglers’ Notch, Bolton Valley, Mad River Glen, and Stowe less than an hour away, and iconic resorts like Sugarbush and Killington a short distance further.
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, also known as Sardy Field, is just 10 minutes from Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Village. Major airlines such as Delta, United, and American offer nonstop service from key hubs like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver. Travelers from other cities can also connect through Denver. It is important to note that Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is scheduled for closure due to construction from April 4, 2027, at 11:00 p.m. through Friday, November 19, 2027.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport provides access to Sierra Nevada skiing, with Palisades Tahoe and all Lake Tahoe ski resorts on both the north and south shores located within an hour’s drive. Mt. Rose ski area is even closer, just 30 minutes away. Airlines flying into Reno include Delta, Alaska, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country, JetBlue, United, American, and Volaris, connecting from various U.S. hubs.
Sun Valley’s Friedman Memorial Airport facilitates access to its renowned ski slopes, located less than 15 miles away. Alaska, American, Delta Connection, and United Express Airlines offer direct service with nonstop flights available from Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Salt Lake City. Shuttle service is provided from the airport to Sun Valley Resort.
For Telluride-bound travelers, Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is approximately 90 minutes away, with nonstop flights from numerous U.S. cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and New York City. A quicker option is Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), just 10 minutes from Telluride, served by Denver Air Connection from Denver and Phoenix. Telluride Express offers shuttle service connecting Telluride with both Montrose Regional Airport and Telluride Regional Airport.
In Colorado, Yampa Valley Regional Airport is a 30-minute drive (25 miles) from Steamboat Resort. During the winter season, major airports across the country offer non-stop flights to Yampa Valley Regional Airport via Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.
