Going to Eagle, CO

[puddlejumper]

I've got a trip coming up in a couple of weeks to Eagle, CO (EGE) in our Cheyenne II. I'd like to get some advice on where to stay. The passengers are going to some fancy place in Vail. A friend of mine will be meeting me to do some skiing, but most everything is booked up near the slopes. The one's that are not are a bit pricey! I'm thinking of just staying in Eagle and making the drive out. Any thoughts?

Are there places that I absolutely must visit? I don't want to miss out on anything. I'll be out there for 7 days. Planning on skiing just for 2 days. I left a message with the concierge at the Vail Valley Jet Center but she hasn't got back to me yet. Must be busy with all those "big jet airplane" pilots.

Thanks in advance.

-PJ

 

[Hubie]

There is a Holiday Inn Express in Eagle about 5 miles from the airport and they have a free shuttle service to boot. We’ve stayed there before when all else was booked, it’s an economy hotel buy nice.

 

[midlifeflyer]

You could stop at APA in Denver and pick me up.

Seriously, this time of year, unless you want to fly around and have some interesting challenges (even for a Cheyenne or especially i a Cheyenne?) like Leadville (9927 msl) of Glenwood Springs (fly into the canyon for the approach), it's pretty much skiing.

Although you could drive down to Denver for a few days.

 

[English]

Make sure to ski Beaver Creek and not just Vail. Beaver Creek has good skiing and is the place to go on the weekends when Vail is packed. I've never encountered lift lines at Beaver Creek, and the service there is fabulous.

 

[NJA Capt]

We stayed in the AmericInn in Eagle. It's not a Hyatt, but it has good rooms and includes a small fridge and a microwave. They also have pretty good breakfast spread (ie...free). Several eateries close by.


AmericInn 970-328-5155

 

[puddlejumper]

Thanks

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. My friend is flying into Denver from L.A. We'll definitely check out Beaver Creek. She'll probably be sticking to the bunny slopes for a while anyway. I haven't skied in quite a while myself. I'm really looking forward to getting out there.

Doing some research, I came across this link for mountain flying . I'm gonna give the concierge a chance to call back and then book my room sometime tomorrow.

-PJ

 

[falconpileit]

reservation

remember you'll need a reservation to fly into the airport.

 

[puddlejumper]

IFR SPECIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

You know, that's what I thought at first, but looking at the website, STMP only applies to MTJ and TEX. The eligibility dates for EGE, ASP and RIL are for the 2001/2002 ski season. However, all the CO airports are listed when I go into the reservation website. What's the deal with that? Now I'm just getting confused. I'll post again once I get it figured out.

-PJ

 

[falconpileit]

again

read it again. You've got to have a reservation, and they are sometimes very difficult to obtain.

 

[puddlejumper]

Yes sir, I'm started to figure it out now. I think what it is is that Denver ARTCCs site hasn't been fully updated. MTJ and TEX are the only ones that the notice applies to for the 2002/2003 season on their site. I haven't been able to find the notices for EGE and others yet, but I'm looking.

The D-NOTAM certainly shows that reservations are required for today. They probably just issue the same NOTAM over and over again to keep it in effect continuously.

EGE 02/023 EGE TMPA SEE NTAP RSVN RQRD WEF 0302251400-0302260300
EGE 12/008 EGE TWR 1400-0600 DLY

From the Denver ARTCC Site:

IFR SPECIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Denver Center Traffic Management Unit (TMU) will monitor air traffic into the Eagle County Regional (EGE) Airport from November 21, 2001, through April 28, 2002, 1400-0300 UTC (0700-2000 MST). When anticipated weather conditions and/or traffic volumes dictate, the Denver Center TMU will implement the STMP and slot reservations will be required for all domestic, non-scheduled IFR arrivals to EGE. The STMP is activated by NOTAM at approximately 2300 UTC (1600 MST) the afternoon prior to the affected day. Please check with your local Flight Service Station to determine if the Eagle Ski Season STMP is active or not.

From the e-STMP site:

Denver Ski Season Events in the Denver, Colorado Area - The STMP's include all domestic and non-scheduled IFR arrivals to the following airports separately:

Rifle/Garfield County Field Airport (RIL)
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field (ASE)
Telluride Regional (TEX)
Montrose Regional (MTJ)
+ Slot reservations will be required for all domestic non-scheduled IFR arrivals during the following dates and times:

DAY DATE TIME (UTC)
All Nov 27-Apr 28 14:00 - 03:00


The reservation programs for Colorado Ski Country airports, Aspen, Eagle, Rifle, Montrose and Telluride are implemented only when needed due to volume and/or weather. The STMP Reservation Program will be implemented and begin accepting reservations at approximately 4:00 pm MST or 2300 UTC the day prior to the program being needed. Users should therefore check the day prior to their planned arrival to determine if a program has been implemented and if a reservation is required. Checking sooner than this will not be useful since the system does not know if a reservation will be required.

The dates were simply messing me up a little there! Thanks for the help!

-PJ

 

[falconpileit]

fast

You're either a fast typer or a fast paster! If you have any problems getting a reservation you can still go in vfr.

 

[English]

The times I've gone in there this winter have all been midweek, and I didn't need a reservation. Notice is usually put out the night before. Check the notams the day or night before and you should have your answer. It seems, though, that they have only been necessary on weekends and holidays.

 

[Ty Webb]

Talk to the locals, and you'll find that most of them prefer Copper Mountain (about 45 min drive). Park in the remote lot, jump on the bus that goes to the "green" side, and you'll find all kinds of great runs, especially for beginner and intermediate types.

As for slot reservations, they actually dump out at a certain time, and begin taking them at a certain time, so talk with someone knowlegeable and they'll tell you how to impprove your odds (it's been too long for me to remember exactly how).

As for rooms, the Jet center will make reservations for you, I used to stay in Edwards, a little area with hotels, restaurants, bars, etc., usually pretty reasonable. You keep saying "Concierge" which was a term we never used in five years of flying into high-end FBO's. Call back, get the counter, tell 'em you're arriving on whatever day, and you need someone to set up a crew car and room(s) . . . . unless they want you to be doing the wild thing in the recliners in the crew lounge. THAT ought to get them motivated.

Have fun!

 

[501261]

STMP reservations are needed if the FAA’s computer predicts that there will be weather in the area the next day. If "slots" are needed, good luck, they’re real hard to get (those of us that know the system, have at least 3 lines speed dialing the 800 number at 4PM MST to try and get a slot for the next day). You're probably better off driving in from APA or GJT. See the approach into EGE is 22 miles long (from RLG to EGE) that tends to slow down the arrival rate to about 6 per hour.

The Vail Valley Jet Center (VVJC) has good rates at the Eagle hotels (the Holiday Inn Express isn't bad), but you’re going up there to ski, so don't bother staying in Eagle (its 20 miles away from the mountain). Personally I think that Beaver Creek is much nicer that Vail and the VVJC just happen to have a crew rate with The Inn at Beaver Creek (I think about $120 per night).

The VVJC rents cars through Dollar, though the crew rate is still about $45 for a compact. You might have better luck and rent through one of the other rental car companies on the airline side of the building.

Be nice to Tracy if she's working at the VVJC

 

[Ty Webb]

Try this link to learn more about the slot program and it's difficulties:

http://www.ainonline.com/issues/02_03/02_03_pilotspaypg6.html

 

[puddlejumper]

OK, Tracy called me back this morning and got us all set up with pretty good deals. Apparently, she's been promoted to the Head of Concierge Reservation Services. She was very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, once everything got set up, including the airfare from L.A. to Denver for my friend, I got word that I'm not staying out there for the week! Trips are planned, so I'll be coming back to Virginia after just staying one night. Bummer, I was really looking forward to going skiing. Expedia.com voided the airline ticket purchase and Tracy scratched the reservations at the Inn at Riverwalk for the whole week.

I'm going in on a Saturday, departing Sunday and then in on Friday, out Saturday. I hope the weather cooperates! We're pretty flexible, but I hope I'll be able to get my reservations and/or slots as necessary.

I appreciate everyone's help. I'll let y'all know how it goes!

-PJ