Bottom line:
Having so little time available to ski, and having to fly wherever I'll end up, I'm curious what might be more reliably accessible resorts to visit, and any to avoid? Please advise.
Context for my question:
Had a lovely first-ever trip to Snowmass and Aspen (20-inches fell over the week) save for my direct flight getting re-routed to Grand Junction, followed by another three+ hours of bus transfer and related travel to Snowmass Village. Might sound like a first-world problem, but my issue is with informed consent. Once skiing there and speaking with locals and fellow visitors, I was told that 80-90% of flights into Aspen airport, in the winter, are private jet traffic, and that commercial (we flew United) flights are regularly re-routed when they miss narrow landing windows (designed to accommodate the private jets). Staff at the Grand Junction airport said that this (re-routing practice at Aspen airport) was the norm Thursday through Sunday for the prior six weeks; effectively something highly likely and to be expected. Other skiers I spoke with said this situation was hit and miss (i.e., being able to fly directly to Aspen airport), but not to be surprised when you're re-routed and bussed in.
I'm writing to let others know of this (likely?) possibility and to ask experienced ski travelers what other airports in the US (e.g., CO, UT, CA, WA, MT, etc.) and Canada near ski resorts are impacted by this sort of thing, or some other obstacle? I'm not talking about legitimate weather delays, FAA snafus, etc., but airports prioritizing private jets over commercial, or some other systematic phenomena I wouldn't think to expect that could lead to similar travel-time disruptions. I get capitalism and politics, but am curious if there are other ski towns and airports that don't comport with reasonable travel expectations for those not fortunate enough to fly in their own private jets (i.e., if I pay for a direct flight in I should get it, save legitimate weather challenges)? That's my last trip to Aspen and I'm curious where else to avoid, and where to head next time. Thank you in advance.
Moderators: please move this post if I'm in the wrong section. TY.