Popular airport serving ‘most famous’ ski resort to close | World | News
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Colorado welcomes around 700,000 passengers every year (Image: Getty)
A popular airport which serves what many consider to be the world’s most famous ski resort is set to close for more than seven months as part of a huge redevelopment project. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Colorado welcomes around 700,000 passengers every year and is the main gateway to Aspen, one of the best-known ski destinations on the planet.
The airport will shut completely on April 4, 2027, before reopening on November 19, 2027. That means no commercial or private flights will be able to land or take off for around seven and a half months. The closure is needed to allow a massive overhaul of the airport and its runway.
The airport will shut completely on April 4, 2027, before reopening on November 19, 2027 (Image: Getty)
Airport officials say the project is part of a wider modernisation programme designed to bring the site up to current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards.
The work will include rebuilding and shifting the runway, something that cannot be carried out safely while aircraft continue to operate. Once complete, the upgraded runway will meet modern FAA requirements and form part of a wider transformation of the airport.
The runway project is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2027, while work on a brand new passenger terminal will continue until 2029.
Plans for the new terminal include energy-efficient lighting, improved accessibility facilities, advanced air quality systems and high-performance thermal glass.
Aspen Airport modernisation timeline (Image: Aspen Airport)
The work will include rebuilding and shifting the runway (Image: Aspen Airport)
Flights will return when the runway reopens in November 2027, although passengers will continue using the existing terminal until the new building is ready. The old terminal is expected to be removed in 2030.
The closure is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of travellers. Tourists heading to Aspen during the closure will need to use alternative regional airports before travelling to the resort by road.
Preparatory work is also expected to begin before the closure, including changes to Owl Creek Road and a nearby cycle path.
Despite the disruption, Aspen Snowmass has said its mountains, hotels, festivals and events will remain open throughout the project.
Many consider Aspen to be the world’s most famous ski resort (Image: Getty)
Around 1.5 million to two million people visit the area every year (Image: Getty)
The Colorado resort is regularly associated with celebrities, business leaders and wealthy visitors. Its four mountains also attract skiers and snowboarders from around the world.
Those mountains are Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, all of which are covered by the same ski pass.
The resort is also known for hosting big events including the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Winter X Games.
Around 1.5 million to two million people visit the area every year despite Pitkin County having a permanent population of only around 17,000.
Away from skiing, visitors can spend time hiking around the famous Maroon Bells, cycling mountain trails, exploring the Aspen Art Museum or visiting the Aspen Music Festival and School.
