Ski travel is unpredictable at best with monster storms, canceled flights and screaming kiddos lying in wait should your luck run out. Pairing the right ski resort with the right airport eliminates missed connections, lengthy white-knuckle drives and disconcerting heart palpitations. Not to mention lessening the stress of life after baggage claim. 

Beat the ski travel blues by choosing ski resorts close to an airport with direct flights serviced by major airlines into and out of some of the country’s biggest markets.

1. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)

Jackson Hole Airport, located at the base of the Teton mountain range, is approximately 20 miles from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and less than 10 miles from the town of Jackson. American, Delta and United Airlines offer direct flights to Jackson Hole airport from Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Newark, New York-JFK, Seattle and Los Angeles.

2. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Flying into Salt Lake City International (SLC) puts skiers and riders within a 60-minute drive of 10 ski areas, including Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton and Solitude. Major carriers operating into and out of SLC include United, Southwest, Delta, Alaska, jetBlue, Frontier and American Airlines. 

3. Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)

If you’re looking to skip the two-hour plus drive from Denver, catch a flight into Eagle County Regional via Air Canada, United, Delta or American Airlines. This convenient, high-elevation airport places skiers and riders within a 40-minute drive of both Beaver Creek and Vail ski areas and is just under an hour to Copper Mountain. Eagle County Regional airport provides nonstop flights from 13 major markets during the winter, including San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Newark, Phoenix and Washington DC. 

4. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

Located in the heart of cowboy country, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) provides nonstop flights to and from 16 cities across the country, including Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle. The airport, which is serviced by Delta, Alaska, United and American Airlines, puts travelers approximately 40 miles from Bridger Bowl and 50 miles from Big Sky Resort. 

5. Burlington International Airport (BTV)

Fly direct into Vermont's Burlington International Airport from 10 cities, including New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington DC and Toronto, and gain easy access to Smugglers’ Notchand Stowe Mountain Resort, located approximately one hour from Burlington International Airport. BTV airport is serviced by Delta, jetBlue, Porter, American and United Airlines.  

6. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (also known as Sardy Field) is situated within 4 miles of Aspen’s world-class skiing and about 6 miles of the Snowmass Village. Major carriers like Delta, United and American Airlines provide nonstop service from some of the country’s biggest hubs. You can plan a direct flight to Aspen whether flying out of Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City or Denver. 

7. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

Hop aboard a Delta, Alaska, Frontier, Southwest, United or American Airlines flight from a number of hubs across the country and you’ll be skiing the Sierras in no time. Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows is located within a one-hour drive of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is generally the best airport to fly into for access to all Lake Tahoe ski resorts. More than 10 airlines service 130+ daily flights with nonstop flights from Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Austin, Boise and many others.  

8. Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN)

Alaska, Delta and United airlines offer direct service into Sun Valley’s Friedman Memorial Airport, putting skiers and riders within 15 miles of the slopes from a variety of major markets. Nonstop flights from Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are available. 

9. Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH)

A flight into the Mammoth Yosemite Airport puts skiers and riders about 10 minutes from the town of Mammoth Lakes and right around 30 minutes from the base of Mammoth Mountain. Watch your step as you exit the plane onto the tarmac of this tiny airport, the mountain views from this vantage point are breathtaking and hard to beat as a first impression! Fly direct to Mammoth from LAX via Alaska airlines year round or hop aboard one of the new regular and seasonal United flights from Denver, San Fran or LA. 

10. Montrose-Telluride Regional Airport (MTJ)

Telluride-bound skiers and riders have a few different flight options, and Montrose Regional Airport, dubbed the "runway to recreation," is among the most convenient in terms of proximity to the mountain (about an hour and 15 minutes away) and flight variety. United, American, Delta and Allegiant Air all offer winter service into MTJ from a variety of destinations across the U.S. For even quicker mountain access, Boutique Air recently announced year-round service from Denver International Airport into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), which is located just 10 minutes from town and ski resort.

Article written by JAMES ROBLES

Original article found online here.