WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 179
Colorado · Couples · Two nights

Aspen

High-country glamour at the end of a demanding approach.

Aspen began as a silver-mining town and became the Rockies’ most famous resort. The airport sits three miles from downtown in a narrow valley at 7,838 feet, so this is a trip for well-prepared pilots. Stay at the 1889 Hotel Jerome or ski-in at the Little Nell, hike to the Maroon Bells, catch a summer concert and eat very well.

Mountain resortSkiing & hikingLuxury hotels
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
The Maroon Bells reflected in Maroon Lake at sunset near Aspen
The Maroon Bells, outside Aspen.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KASE
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~1384 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~9 hr 29 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Shuttle, taxi or walk

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

A demanding mountain airport.

KASE, Aspen–Pitkin County/Sardy Field, is a towered field at 7,838 feet with an 8,006-foot runway in a narrow valley. Expect high density altitude, mountain wave, steep terrain, a noise curfew and seasonal traffic.

The FBO

Atlantic Aviation Aspen

Aspen–Pitkin County Airport, Aspen, CO

970-920-2016

Read the airport’s pilot procedures and the chart supplement. Many pilots take a mountain checkout first. Confirm parking, which fills in ski season and on holidays. No live fuel price is shown.

Mountain flying: high density altitude on summer afternoons, mountain wave and strong winds over the ridges, afternoon thunderstorms from July to September, and winter snow and icing. Consider a mountain-flying course before you go. About 1380 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way with several fuel stops. Plan a week, or overnight on the way out and back.

02 / Where to stay

A Victorian landmark or ski-in luxury.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Ski season and summer festival weeks book months ahead.

03 / Where to eat

Dinner in a food town.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Peaks, music and snow.

Plan around the season.

01

Maroon Bells

The most photographed peaks in Colorado; reserve a shuttle or parking in summer.

Aspen Chamber
02

Skiing

Four mountains: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.

Aspen Snowmass
04

Silver Queen Gondola

Ride to the top of Aspen Mountain in summer or winter.

Aspen Snowmass
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Aspen events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample long weekend. This is a two-day flight each way; plan a week. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KASE, subject to weather, density altitude and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Check in and walk downtown.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Element 47.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    The Maroon Bells, early.

  2. Afternoon

    The gondola up Aspen Mountain.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Matsuhisa.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    Coffee at the Jerome.

  2. Before leaving

    Compute takeoff performance for the morning temperature and allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Mountain afternoons bring wind, turbulence and storms; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Hotel and FBO parking first.

Very long flight

About 1,380 nm: two days each way.

Airport

High, narrow and busy; read the procedures and know your aircraft’s limits.

Best seasons

June to September, and ski season for experienced winter pilots.

Reviewed · Destination 179

Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.