On a map it looks like you could practically wave from Aspen to Vail. In summer there’s a gorgeous route that goes east over Independence Pass, through Leadville and over Tennessee Pass into the Vail Valley. In winter that route’s closed, and your GPS may not have gotten the memo.
Why You Can’t Go Over the Top
Independence Pass, the part of Highway 82 east of Aspen, climbs over 12,000 feet to cross the Continental Divide. The state gates it every winter, usually starting in late fall, and it typically doesn’t reopen until the week before Memorial Day. Cottonwood Pass, the backroad some locals use to cut over toward Gypsum, closes for the season too. So forget the shortcuts until spring.
The Way Everyone Actually Goes
Take Highway 82 down valley through Snowmass Village, Basalt and Carbondale to Glenwood Springs, then hop on I-70 east through Glenwood Canyon, past Dotsero and Eagle, into Vail. It’s around a hundred miles and usually about two hours on dry roads. Totally doable, with two spots that deserve some respect.
Glenwood Canyon. I-70 squeezes between tall cliffs and the Colorado River here, and the state closes it when rockfall or debris flows are a risk, sometimes during heavy snow or rain. The detours around a closed canyon are brutal, so check the state’s road conditions before you pull out of the driveway.
I-70 through the snowy months. Colorado’s traction law applies on this corridor, and when it’s in effect you need real snow tires or chains, or a four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle. That bargain rental with bald all-seasons? Not your friend in a storm.
No Car? Still Possible
It takes the same kind of planning as getting to Aspen in the first place. RFTA buses run the valley from Aspen down to Glenwood Springs, and Bustang’s West Line picks up in Glenwood and stops in Vail on its way to Denver. There are only a few Bustang runs a day, so line up the connection before you commit, and maybe don’t bring three pairs of skis. Private shuttles run the route as well, and they’re a lot less painful when a group splits the fare.
If the trip ends with a few days on Vail Mountain, we can help with coverage for a Vail ski trip.