The four resorts that make up Aspen get over a million and half skiers each year, and roughly half of them spend their time in Snowmass. *
In fact, Snowmass is one of Colorado’s most popular ski destinations. I’ve skied it before, and knew it was big, but was surprised to learn it’s larger than the other three Aspen ski areas combined, with over 3,000 skiable acres.
It’s beautiful, with almost all ski-in, ski-out lodging options, and a more laid-back, family-friendly vibe than nearby Aspen. You don’t need to wear Prada at Snowmass.
If you’re coming from Grand Junction, the trip is straightforward, scenic, and easy to navigate, as it’s just over a two hour drive east.
Distance & Drive Time from Grand Junction to Snowmass
The drive from Grand Junction, Colorado to Snowmass Village is 126 miles, when starting out at the Grand Junction Regional Airport and arriving steps away from the Elk Camp Gondola.
In good weather, and ideal conditions, it will take you just over two hours, (Google maps says 2 hours and 3 minutes), but that can certainly change depending on conditions, especially in Snowmass Canyon.
The drive is mostly interstate and highway driving, until the last 15 minutes, when you turn and head up into Snowmass Village.
Route
Most of the drive is done by taking I-70 east from Grand Junction toward Glenwood Springs.
You’ll go on this mostly flat long stretch of interstate through De Beque Canyon and desert until you get to Glenwood Springs, at which point signs will direct you to exit onto CO-82 south toward Aspen.
After about 40 to minutes on Highway 82, (passing towns of Carbondale, El Jebel and Basalt), you’ll take a right at Brush Creek Road. Signs are good here, so you won’t miss it.
From there, it’s a gradual five mile climb up into the village. This is the prettiest stretch of the trip, with the mountains in front of you, and gorgeous open space meadows on your left. It’s just a two lane road, and will take you around 15 minutes in normal conditions.
About 3 miles up the road, you’ll come across a roundabout, and most people will want to stay right, continuing up Brush Creek Road into Snowmass Village.
Either way, this is by far the fastest and easiest route from Grand Junction to Snowmass, and it’s not even close.
Snowmass to Grand Junction
You should know that while the distance is the exact same, the reverse trip can take longer due to westbound traffic being heavier.
While Grand Junction to Snowmass is around two hours in good conditions, Snowmass to Grand Junction can be a half-hour longer in late afternoons, due to all of the workers, (and buses full of workers), heading back from Aspen/Buttermilk/Snowmass to their more affordable hometowns along the Roaring Fork Valley. Some employees commute daily from Rifle, 66 miles away!
Snowmass Winter Driving Tips
- Traveling to Snowmass in winter is generally safe. Highway 82 is the only artery into Aspen in the winter, and Brush Creek Road is the main artery into Snowmass, so Pitkin County works hard to keep these roads open and safe.
- You can always check the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website before leaving. They have road webcams on Highway 82 here: CDOT webcams.
- Highway 82 can have patches of black ice, so slowly through the canyon areas where curves can get slick.
- If a storm is incoming, leave earlier in the day when crews have more visibility.
- If conditions are really bad, you can stay the night in Glenwood Springs and finish the drive the next morning. It’s about a 50 minute drive from Glenwood Springs to the base of Snowmass.
Are There Shuttles From Grand Junction to Snowmass?
There aren’t any public Grand Junction-to-Snowmass shuttles, but you still have a few options.
Private shuttle companies based in Aspen and Snowmass will pick up groups at the Grand Junction Regional Airport. These are usually pre-arranged services and are pricey, starting at $750 each way. You can find more information here: Grand Junction to Aspen Shuttle
Grand Junction Airport to Snowmass Transportation Options
While it would be easier to fly into the Aspen airport (ASE), many Snowmass visitors fly into Grand Junction because it’s often a lot cheaper, with more options.
Plus there are times when the Aspen airport is closed due to bad weather, in which case the Grand Junction airport receives diverted flights. It was a big deal here when Arnold Schwarzenegger was spotted at GJT because his plane to Aspen was diverted to our little town.
If you’re trying to get from GJT to Snowmass, (and don’t want to pay for the private shuttle), you’re best options are to either rent a car, or book a rideshare.
There are five different rental car stations inside the Walker Field Termina; at GJT.
Rideshares are surprisingly affordable (in my view). Of course it depends on the season and availability but recent quotes I pulled up showed an Uber X ride from the Grand Junction airport to Snowmass Village to be in the $150 range. An Uber XL (for up to six people), was at $200.
If you really want to save, you can book a Bustang ride (the Colorado taxpayer funded bus system), from Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs. From there you would catch an RFTA bus from Glenwood to the Brush Creek Park n Ride Stop, then another bus from that stop up to Snowmass. It’s a hassle and time consuming, but would only cost you $20.
Gas, Food, & Stops Along the Way
Between Grand Junction and Snowmass, you’ll have plenty of chances to fill up or get food, as you’ll pass the towns of Parachute, Rifle and New Castle, (among others).
However Glenwood Springs is the best stop for gas or groceries. Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs is 90 miles, and the town is roughly halfway to Snowmass. It gives you the last large grocery stores (Walmart, Safeway and City Market), before arriving in Snowmass Village village. It’s almost always cheaper there too.
(Related: Grand Junction to Aspen)
Final Thoughts
The Grand Junction to Snowmass drive is a simple pretty drive, with almost all highway and interstate driving on maintained roads.
Most of it is smooth highway, and the last stretch up to Snowmass is typical well-maintained year-round.
And Snowmass is great place to visit, in the winter or summer. My kids loved the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster ride during a quick summer trip. We even saw a bear below us when we were on the chairlift. But whether you’re hitting the slopes, golfing, or just spending time on family getaway, the two hour or so drive isn’t a problem, so long as you check weather conditions during winter months.
Snowmass offers a quieter, more spacious resort experience than nearby Aspen, and the relatively short drive from Grand Junction makes it an easy winter or summer getaway.
* Visitation numbers from an article in the Aspen Daily News.
(By Steve Beauregard. Airport photo copyright GJFruita.com. Top Snowmass photo courtesy of Rich Pearce, chairlift photo courtesy of Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, and gondola picture courtesy of Frank Denis Chalk it Up via Flickr.)