Airports can be stressful, confusing, and overwhelming. Traveling to the mountains for a ski trip adds several more challenges as you consider ski equipment, airport shuttles, and more. However, with a little pre-planning, you can take the worry out of your trip. In this blog, we’ll list a few tips to help you expertly navigate the airport and get on your way to the mountains!
Basic Airport and Travel Tips
Regardless of which airport you may be flying into or out of, there are some general tips everyone can benefit from.
Arrive Early – Plan to arrive at least two hours before your scheduled flight. The pre-flight check-in process can be timely, especially if the airport is busy. Extra time may be needed to find parking, check bags, go through security, or find your terminal. Signing up for things like TSA Precheck and not checking a bag can help reduce the time you need before your flight.
Checked Bag or Carry-On? – While checking a bag does allow for more packing room, the possibility of lost luggage deters most travelers from taking advantage of it. If you are checking a bag, make sure to also pack a small carry-on with a few days’ worth of items just in case you and your checked bag don’t end up in the same location. If your plan is to pack light, consider booking a vacation home with laundry machines to reduce the amount of clothing to pack. Be aware of carry-on regulations, TSA security will only allow one carry-on bag and one personal bag (purse, laptop, small backpack), so plan accordingly!
Download Your Airline’s App – It’s not uncommon for flights to run late, reschedule, or cancel altogether. Make sure to regularly check your flight’s status by downloading your airline’s app. You can find a few common airline app download links here:
Tips for TSA – The security checkpoint may be the biggest cause of stress for most travelers. As security requirements change, it’s important to be prepared and up to date on what to expect. The TSA website offers some great tips for travelers including guidance on liquids, medications, screening pets, and more.
Denver Airport and Tips for Traveling to Summit County
Traveling to the mountains brings about an additional set of challenges but there are still many tips you can utilize to make your travel a breeze!
Denver Airport Specifics – While you can expect the Denver Airport (DEN) to be similar to most other airports, it’s still important to stay up to date on any airport-specific news. Visit the Fly Denver website for updates on parking availability, construction, Covid restrictions, and more. They also list basic travel tips like which security checkpoint is the fastest and when the best time to catch the train is.
Shuttle Services – If you’re planning on traveling to Summit County, you’ll need to plan an additional two or more hours of drive time from the Denver Airport to your destination. There is a variety of Mountain Carriers available to take you to your mountain town destination. For transport specifically to Breckenridge or Copper Mountain, we highly recommend Fresh Tracks or Plan B Mountain Transportation.
Rent a Car – If you’d prefer to rent a car for your drive to the mountains, check out the available rental car companies that operate at the Denver Airport. If your trip is scheduled during the snow season which typically runs from mid-November till late April, make sure to rent a car with 4WD. Driving on snowy mountain roads can be hazardous, so make sure you’re prepared and read up on our Tips and Tricks for Navigating Snowy Roads.
Ship Your Ski Gear – Packing and traveling with bulky ski equipment can be a headache, so we recommend shipping them to your location. If you’re traveling to Breckenridge, you can ship items to the area UPS store and have them hold the items till your arrival for a daily fee. Alternatively, many concierge services in the area offer package storage and delivery options. We recommend KEY Concierge or At Your Breck and Call for the Summit County area.
Skip Packing Kid Gear – Similar to ski equipment, packing baby equipment like pack-n-plays and highchairs can be expensive and cumbersome. While you could ship these items ahead of your visit, the even easier option is to rent from MountainTot. They offer a variety of kid gear rentals that are professionally sanitized and delivered prior to your arrival and picked up after your stay for a hassle-free experience.
Make your mountain vacation exceptional by renting a luxury vacation home with River Ridge Rentals! With available homes in the Breckenridge and Copper Mountain area, we offer all the comforts of home with the care of professional management. Book today at RiverRidgeRentals.com!