For anyone flying to a Rocky Mountain ski vacation from the Midwest, East, or West Coast, finding a resort close to a major airport can be important.  In addition to offering the largest selection of flights, benefits of flying into a major airport include more competitive airfares and better rental car rates.

We’ve written about the importance of choosing airports that minimize the airport-to-resort transit time (a reason we like to fly directly into Aspen), but fully realize that for many people a major airport is the best gateway to the Rockies.

Below is a listing of resorts within close (2 ½ hours or less) proximity to major airports.  We define major airports as those being served with regular jet service by at least 5 major airlines.  All times assume no traffic problems and no winter weather driving problems – something that can be an issue in places like Albuquerque (traffic) or Denver (traffic and mountain passes).

Salt Lake City:

Solitude:  30 minutes (read our review)

Alta:  35 minutes

Snowbird:  35 minutes

Park City:  45 minutes

Deer Valley:  45 minutes (read our review)

The Canyons:  45 minutes

Denver:

Breckenridge:  2 hours (read our review)

Copper Mountain:  2 hours (read our review)

Keystone:  2 hours

Beaver Creek:  2 ½ hours

Vail:  2 ½ hours (read our review)

Winter Park:  2 ½ hours (read our review)

Northstar-At-Tahoe:  2 hours (read our review)

Squaw Valley:  2 hours

Alpine Meadows:  2 hours

Heavenly:  2 ½ hours

Mt. Rose:  2 ½ hours

Reno:

Mt. Rose:  45 minutes

Alpine Meadows:  60 minutes

Northstar-At-Tahoe:  60 minutes (read our review)

Heavenly:  70 minutes

Squaw Valley:  80 minutes

Albuquerque:

Taos:  2 hours, 15 minutes (read our review)