Mc Elroy (20V) or Central Colorado (AEJ) experience?

[smoss]

I am planning a trip to Breckenridge, CO this summer, and am looking for an alternative to Eagle County (EGE) to fly into. I flew to EGE a few years back, and had a far less than stellar experience. Neither 20V nor AEJ have standard rental cars available, but do have some FBO cars or rentals from an off-brand place a ways away available. Wondering if anyone here has ever flown to either? Thanks.

[janders]

@photoSteveZ was recommending KAEJ as a location for a Diamond fly-in earlier this year...

How about Colorado for a summer fly-in? Doesn't get much more central for the Lower 48 + Canada's southern tier. I'm thinking specifically of KAEJ, Central Colorado Regional in Buena Vista. While it is a high-altitude field (7950' MSL: check density altitude!) with higher terrain east and west, it's in the flat bottom lands of the Arkansas River valley, and has good VFR approaches plus an RNAV instrument approach; the runway is 8300' x 75' of good asphalt and on arrival you can always follow the river from the lower terrain of the Great Plains, without having to climb above 10,000'. There's a good amount of transient ramp space, both 100LL and Jet-A fuel, and an accommodating FBO. For places to stay try Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort just up the road or the Surf Hotel & Chateau in Buena Vista, which has has a thriving old town center with lots of restaurants and shops. Salida's airport, KANK is in a similar location about twenty miles south, for overflow ramp space, if needed.

Did I mention it's in the Colorado high country, featuring spectacular mountain scenery and gorgeous summer weather, with lots of outdoor recreation activities: hiking, rafting, kayaking, scenic drives, etc.

Since the Western summer wildfire season usually cranks up in July these days, and the smoke tends to obscure the views, it would be best to schedule a fly-in before the middle of July.

[photoSteveZ]

Steve, Kremmling (20V) is closer by road, and the drive is essentially flat (or as flat as you can get in the CO high country). The drive from Buena Vista (AEJ) to Breckenridge is beautiful, but somewhat longer and requires going over one big pass…albeit on very good roads. In my opinion, AEJ has better facilities and better approaches (and a longer, wider runway).

By flying up the Colorado River you can get to Kremmling without having to cross any high passes, while there is a crap ton of cumulogranite between your home airport and AEJ through southwestern Colorado.

You’ll have a great time in my beautiful state, either way.

[smoss]

Thanks Steve! I will be fully loaded, so it looks like AEJ may be the better choice with its nearly 3K ft longer runway, although 20V is still doable. I spoke with the company that delivers cars to AEJ, and it sounds easy enough to have a car delivered there, whereas 20V has FBO rental cars now. Sounds like a coin toss. The Kremmling FBO did comment to me though when I asked about the weather, that they had a lot of mosquitos in the summer...

[photoSteveZ]

It’s surprising that 20V has FBO rental cars. It’s really a small-town airport.