We’ve made the run from Denver International to Summit County more times than I can count — ski trips, summer weekends, holidays with the whole family and a car packed to the roof with gear. If you’re flying in for your first Colorado ski trip, here’s exactly how we do it, and what I’d tell a friend the night before they leave.
First, you fly into Denver
Almost everyone starts at Denver International Airport (DEN) — a big, modern hub with flights from just about everywhere, and the jumping-off point for the mountains. Summit County (Breckenridge, Frisco, Keystone, Copper, Dillon, Silverthorne) sits about 90 minutes west on I-70. The real decision isn’t the flight — it’s what you do once you land: shuttle or rental car.
Our go-to: the mountain shuttle
Nine times out of ten, we take a shuttle — and after riding it trip after trip, the one we book every time is Summit Express. Here’s why it wins for us:
- Someone else drives the snowy passes. After a travel day, the last thing I want is to white-knuckle I-70 over the Continental Divide in a storm. The shuttle drivers make this run all day, every day — they know every switchback.
- Room for all your gear. The setup is smart: skis and boards ride in a bin outside the back doors, your luggage goes inside, and you sit on comfortable bench seats. Two large bags and a personal item are included — just flag oversized gear when you book. No Tetris with a rental trunk.
- Door-to-door. They drop you at most lodging — and they cover all of Summit County (Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne) plus the Vail Valley (Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon) — so you’re not dragging gear across an icy lot.
- Great with kids. Free car seats and booster seats, plus complimentary water — the little things that matter after a long travel day.
Shared or private? The scheduled shared shuttle is the cost-effective pick; a private charter (available 24/7) gets your group a direct ride. Either way, plan on about 2–3 hours from the airport — storms and peak weekends add time.
How the shared ride works: it’s a shared van that serves all the condos and resorts, so the driver runs a route and drops everyone off in whatever order the routing falls — your stop might be first or last. For the price and the door-to-door convenience, we happily take the scenic loop.
The one rule: book ahead. Reserve before you fly, especially in ski season, since seats and gear space go fast on weekends and holidays. Airport pickup is easy — you grab your bags at the East Side baggage claim and meet the shuttle at a designated spot just outside. (Booking inside 48 hours? Call ahead to confirm availability.)
If you’d rather drive: rent a 4×4
Sometimes we rent instead — it’s nice to have wheels for grocery runs, dinner in the next town over, or a day trip to Vail or Rocky Mountain National Park. If you go this route in winter, get a 4×4 or all-wheel-drive vehicle — not the economy car. Colorado enforces a traction law on I-70 and the mountain passes in snowy conditions: you need adequate snow tires, AWD/4WD, or chains, and it is genuinely enforced. A two-wheel-drive rental will leave you stuck on the first grade (or ticketed). Rent the AWD, leave early to beat the I-70 traffic, and never rush the passes — especially heading back down on a Sunday afternoon.
What we pack for the trip up
Keep your ski essentials in your carry-on in case a bag is delayed, and dress in layers — you’ll go from a warm terminal to a snowy resort in a couple of hours. Our Colorado ski trip packing list covers the clothing, and if you’re driving, our road-trip packing list has the car and family stuff (chargers, snacks, kids’ gear) that makes the ride up painless.
Where we stay when we get there
For a first trip, we point friends to Summit County — Breckenridge for the full walkable mountain-town experience, or Frisco for the best value and a central base within 15 minutes of four resorts. Our where to stay in Colorado guide compares hotels and rentals for your dates.
The payoff
There’s a moment about an hour out of Denver when the plains give way to the foothills, and then the real peaks fill the windshield — and everyone in the car (or the shuttle) goes quiet. That’s when the trip actually starts. However you get there, you’re almost to the slopes.
Denver airport to Summit County: FAQ
How long is the drive from Denver airport to Summit County?
In good conditions it is roughly 90 minutes to two hours from Denver International to the Summit County towns (Breckenridge is a little farther than Frisco or Silverthorne). Winter weather and heavy I-70 traffic, especially on Sunday afternoons and around holidays, can add a significant amount of time, so build in a cushion.
Should I take a shuttle or rent a car from Denver?
Take a shuttle if you mainly want to get to your resort and do not need a vehicle once you are there: someone else drives the snowy passes and there is plenty of room for ski and luggage bags. Rent a car if you want the freedom for grocery runs, dining, and day trips, but choose a 4x4 or AWD for winter.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive in Colorado in winter?
For I-70 and the mountain passes in snowy conditions, effectively yes. Colorado enforces a traction law requiring snow tires, all-wheel or four-wheel drive, or chains. A standard two-wheel-drive rental can get stuck or ticketed, so reserve an AWD or 4x4 vehicle for a winter trip.
How far ahead should I book an airport shuttle to the resorts?
As early as you can, ideally when you book your flights. Shuttle seats to the Summit County resorts fill up on weekends and around the holidays, and you will want to reserve space for your ski and luggage bags in advance.
Written by
Melissa
Melissa splits her year between Texas and Summit County, Colorado, where she has spent countless summers and winters hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the high country. She started Breckenmendations to help visitors make the most of Colorado's mountains with the gear, tips, and local know-how she wishes she'd had on her first trip up I-70.
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