Ski season is one of the busiest times for private flights into the mountains, and every aircraft that drops a family at Aspen or Telluride has to go somewhere next. That makes empty legs to and from ski towns a real way to fly private for less, if you know which airports to search and what winter does to a schedule.
By AmeriCharter, private aviation since 2004 · Updated October 2, 2026
The pattern follows the ski calendar. Aircraft fly in full before the holidays, Presidents' Day and spring break weekends, and many fly out empty to collect their next trip; the reverse happens at the end of each stay. Look a day or two either side of the peak weekends, in both directions, and from the big origin cities such as Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Denver. Save the route and an alert tells you when a matching leg is posted.
Winter cautions
Runways and altitude. Mountain airports sit high, and thin air lengthens the runway an aircraft needs, more so when it is loaded. Some aircraft cannot use a given field on a given day, and the operator decides what can fly in.
Diversions. Weather and runway conditions close mountain fields at short notice. Flights for Aspen divert to Rifle or Eagle County often enough that you should know the drive.
Deicing. Expect deicing on cold mornings; it adds time on the ground and can move a departure.
Curfews and slots. Some mountain airports limit night operations or busy-weekend arrivals; the operator handles it, but it can shape the time on the leg.
Skis and gear
Skis and boots fly with you, not through baggage claim, but cabins and baggage holds are finite and weight matters at high, cold airports. Tell the operator how many passengers, how many bags and how many pairs of skis or boards when you ask about a leg, so they can confirm the aircraft takes them.
Yes, when one is posted on dates that suit you. Aspen sees many legs in ski season; search Aspen, Eagle County and Rifle together and a day or two either side of your dates.
What happens if my flight cannot land at the ski airport?
The operator diverts to a nearby airport that is open, such as Rifle or Eagle County for Aspen, or Montrose for Telluride, and you drive the rest. Ask the operator about ground transport options before you fly.
Can I bring skis on a private jet?
Yes. Tell the operator the number of passengers, bags and pairs of skis or boards when you ask, because space and weight are limited, especially at high, cold airports.
When are ski empty legs easiest to find?
Around the peak weekends and holidays, in both directions: aircraft fly in full before them and out empty after, and the reverse at the end of each stay.
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