Hayden Airport - how long ahead of time is necessary

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on January 19, 2009 at 11:47am

Hi

Yes, you have time for some runs in the morning. Yesterday we were on the 2.07pm (or about then) flight from Hayden.

We were just about on the first lift (8.30am, but it may be earlier in March), we skied until 10.45am. Because we were staying at Bear Claw condos, we were ski-in/ski-out (so we virtually "skied through the door" at 10.45am). We own our skis - so not rentals to return. You may need to adjust that time depending on where you are staying and if you are renting anything. You also need to keep an eye on the weather: the weather yesterday was great and the roads were clear (hasn't snowed for a few days).

I had done the rest of the packing and "checked out" the night before, so we skied in, had a very quick shower. Husband packed the skis away, I packed the boots and ski clothes away and finished packing the suitcase. We left the condo at 11.45am. We stopped at the "Market ont he Mountain" to pick up a couple of pre-made sandwiches. Got to Hayden at a little after 12.30pm. The rental car drop off is within 200 yards of the check-in area. No queue to check-in (will vary depending on the flight) and only a short qeue (about 20 people for security). VERY compact airport.

Will you have a rental car or will you be using something like Alpine Taxi to do your airport transfers? If it is the latter, then they will dictate when they will pick you up: this normally errs WELL on the side of caution and will reduce your morning ski time considerably...

If you are driving yourself, then you can get a couple of hours skiing in, but it requires good organisation and preparation and being very efficient that morning. I am not sure that it would be easy to do if you have kids travelling with you...

Boo

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Permalink Reply by Kup on January 19, 2009 at 11:52am

Boo:
thanks for the tips. even though we do own our own skis, we are using storm mountain express, so sounds like getting a couple runs in the last day wont work ;-( I was just hoping. Oh well.

On side note, couldnt find a previous question to you that you can hopefully answer here: I know you were very high on Cafe Diva. being a 'seasoned vetern' what is your second 'have to go to restaurant' while at the boat?

Kup

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on January 19, 2009 at 12:08pm

Best thing is to speak to Storm Mountain Express, see what pick-up time you can negotiate with them and then try to work out something from there... You might get an hour or so - if you think it is worth the hassle.

The other things is your condo check-out time: most condos ask you to vacate your room by 10am. Sometimes, if no-one is booked into your condo immediately after you, they will let you stay a little longer. Bear Claw very kindly let us stay until 12noon.

If the condo wont allow you late check-out, then they will still store stuff for you and normally have somewhere for you to shower/change. BUT this can be a lot more hassle (especially as far as packing away skis and ski stuff is concerned).

It is all about organisation really: it can be done though :-)

Check out http://my.steamboat.com/profiles/blogs/day-7-fantastic-groomers-and... - I responded to your question there :-). Does that help? It really depends on "what you are into"...

Boo

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Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on January 19, 2009 at 1:00pm

When traveling on business, I usually leave for HDN (Code for Hayden, Steamboat's airport) about 2-2.5 hours prior to flight time. A lot depends on the weather and arriving/departing flight schedules.

If the big boys (737, 757, A320) are departing, security and check in can get a bit hetic. Your best bet if you are using Storm Mountain Express is for them to tell you when they are going to pick you up. They have the best idea about roads and crowds. After you get the time from them, you can decide if its worth the time to get dressed for both skiing and traveling. If its too short, go downtown and spend some money to help support our decadent life style out here. :)

BTW, Boo, the new airport is a VAST improvement from the old one. Still need some work on the baggage claim though. I used to fly out of that little building you see to the right of the main terminal which was the Commuter Plane terminal. I remember getting checked by security in Denver as we deplaned since they didn't have the screening systems at that terminal for a while. Interesting approach.

Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on January 19, 2009 at 1:19pm

Yes, it has changed quite a lot over the 8 years we have been using it. Great little airport really, especially now there is room to "swing a cat" in the new check-in area...

It has lots of charm (especially when arriving) and it couldn't be easier than returning. We are flying out of LAX this evening and I sure wish that we could drop off the hire car 200 yards from check-in! From the sblime to the ridiculous - all in a day ;-)

Boo

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Permalink Reply by ShannonLL on January 30, 2009 at 11:23am

Hi, Kup. Hayden airport is small and negotiable, but if you're on one of the big jets leaving, there will be a lot more people to check in and go through security. If you are traveling internationally, you definitely need to be there two hours ahead of time. I was there once and some people traveling to Europe showed up 45 minutes before and they absolutely would not let them fly on the plane.

I do know that Alpine Taxi gets you there two hours before your flight. They're sticklers about that. If you're in line at the gondola at 8:30 that morning, you could definitely get in three solid hours of powder runs before leaving for the airport. Wear some sweats under your ski pants and then just take off your ski pants for the flight.

The bottom line is that while it may be a very easy airport to negotiate, the airlines have their rules about checkin. You have to be checked in 45 minutes before your flight for domestic travel. That's the one requirement that you can't adjust. It's an airline rule and you know how the airlines are!

As for fun restaurants, Cafe Diva at the mountain is definitely a locals' favorite. Our family's favorite (kids or not) is Mambo Italiano at about 5th & Lincoln. It's great Italian with a festive atmosphere. If you're looking for a sports bar with plenty of TVs and wings, go to Tap House on Lincoln. You can't miss the BBQ at Steamboat Smokehouse, either.

Have a safe trip and we'll see you here soon!

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Permalink Reply by Kup on January 30, 2009 at 11:27am

thanks for the tips. I have heard good things about the restaurants you mentioned. would mambo italiano also be your choice for pizza in the boat?

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Permalink Reply by ShannonLL on February 2, 2009 at 4:50pm

We love Mambo. It's quite a festive atmosphere with amazing pasta dishes. Be aware of having to wait at the busy times of the evening. It is more of an upscale restaurant.

For pick up or delivery, my kids love Brooklyn's Pizza at 10th & Lincoln. They have put Brooklyn's number in my speed dial! Plus a poster of my son flying high off a kicker is up there.

Beau Jo's Pizza at 7th & Lincoln is also wonderful, with big thick crusts and honey on the tables to go on the crust when you are finished eating the pizza. Beau Jo's is a Colorado landmark, started in Idaho Springs for those driving up from the Front Range to ski. It's delicious, serving wine and beer and a wicked Caesar salad.

You can't go wrong. See you here soon.

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Permalink Reply by Kup on February 3, 2009 at 5:33am

thanks for the pizza tips Shannon. I must say I've yet to hear about these pizza joints yet. - hidden secrets of the boat?... The only one I"ve heard more than a couple people say was the best in the boat was Blue Sage pizza. So in YOUR opinion, if you could only get pizza one night on your trip to the boat, which would you choose???

Input from all welcome also.

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Permalink Reply by ShannonLL on February 3, 2009 at 9:23pm

What pressure, Kup! Blue Sage is definitely great. It's just on the other end of town from where I live. As for my only ONE choice... it's tough. If the whole gang is going out to dinner for pizza, and you want a hoppin' cool atmosphere, go to Mambo Italiano. If you want a laid-back place that is easily accessible with yummy pizza, go to Beau Jo's. If you want to stay in your condo, kick up your heels, veg out in front of the TV and get pizza delivered, call Brooklyn's or Blue Sage. It depends on the atmosphere you're looking for. Our family likes all four of them...but as I said before, the kids have put Brooklyn's in my speed dial! (You really can't lose.)

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Permalink Reply by Kup on February 4, 2009 at 5:42am

Wow Shannon, you're full of info!! While the info is flowin', I might as well get your input on mexican. Whole family loves mexican food. I think I heard someone before say that either the Catina or Fiesta Jaliesco (Sp?) were the two best mexican restaurants.

Thoughts?

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