--- title: "Winter Slots at Mountain Airports: Planning Your Flight - SherpaReport" description: "The winter season is almost upon us and many of the leading private jet companies are gearing up for the process. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes slot restrictions during the height of the season." url: "https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/winter-slots-mountain-airports.html" date: "2026-10-18T03:00:23+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- [ ![Sherpa Report](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/sherpa-report-logo-white.svg) ](https://www.sherpareport.com/) #### Member login Remember Me - [ Forgot your username?](https://www.sherpareport.com/lost-user-name.html) - [ Forgot your password?](https://www.sherpareport.com/lost-password.html) GO [ ](# "Menu") # Winter Slots at Mountain Airports: Planning Your Flight K.C. Dermody 19 November 2012 Last Updated: 30 November -0001 The winter season is almost upon us and many of the leading private jet companies are gearing up for the process. The winter months are the busiest of the year in the industry as well as being filled with a number of challenges. This is the time of year that many people are arranging ski trips to some of the most popular ski destinations in the nation, including two of the top-ranked, Aspen, Colorado and Park City, Utah. These destinations are blanketed with beautiful powdery snow, perfect for skiing, but also making them susceptible to the wrath of frequent winter storms. In addition, most small mountain airports tend to have short runways which can add yet another wrench into the mix. **The slot program** Due to the high demand for flights in these areas, you are likely to encounter the slot program. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes slot restrictions during the height of the season, from December to February in order to control congestion and account for winter conditions. The slot is a reservation for an arrival time, with a buffer of 15 minutes on either side of the reservation. While the FAA releases slots exactly 72 hours in advance, each private jet company has their own rules as far as how they handle slot reservations. Flight Options, for example, applies for a slot of the requested arrival time 48 hours prior, and again if necessary, 24 hours in advance of the trip, according to marketing coordinator Mindy Wiswell. **Limited schedule** Another important factor to keep in mind is that the majority of [private jet](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/) companies do not fly into the mountain airports at night in order to provide the crew and passengers with the highest level of safety. Currently, the only mountain airport in Colorado that offers electronic precision course guidance is at Rifle; therefore, some companies will fly into this airport at night, although you'll experience a longer drive to Aspen or Eagle upon arrival. **Planning ahead** What this means to you, the passenger, is that it's important to plan early to avoid disappointment, as well as to be somewhat flexible, especially during peak travel times – a few days before and after any major holiday. With the weather in the mountains changing frequently, keep in mind that when the weather reports look bad for flying, airports may reduce the number of slots until the storm passes. If the slot is lost, or the company is unable to secure your requested arrival time, they will work with you to secure an alternative time, or airport, to meet your schedule. The bottom line is to plan ahead and be flexible. **Important airport and date information** 2012-2013 should be similar to last year as far as airport slots, although this information could change and should be verified before making plans. Based on last season's program dates the unofficial dates for this coming season are: 12/22/12 – 1/2/13 and 2/15/13-2/18/13. - Aspen, Colorado (ASE); Eagle, Colorado (EGE); and Rifle, Colorado (RIL) will require slots and should be no more restrictive than last year. - The Salt Lake City Center Airport (ZLC) does not plan on using slots this year – there will be no slots for Sun Valley Airport (SUN), Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) or Bozeman Yellowstone Airport (BZN). If there is excessive traffic during periods of high demand or poor weather, these airports will use delay programs. The most important rules to remember in order to increase your chances of obtaining a slot: - Schedule your trip at least five days in advance - Specify alternative airports or ask your Owner Services Team for suggestions - Provide alternate arrival/departure times ### Related Items #### [De-icing Private Aircraft – What You Need to Know](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/deicing-private-jets.html) #### [Updated Forecasts for New Private Jet Sales](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/private-jet-market-2016.html) #### [Delta Private Jets Announce Record Year in 2015](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/delta-private-record-2015.html) #### [Forecasts for Private Jet Sales](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/forecasts-private-jet-sales.html) #### [Peak Travel Times in Private Jets](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/peak-travel-times-private-jets.html) #### [Time is the Ultimate Luxury](https://www.sherpareport.com/destination-clubs/time-ultimate-luxury.html) #### [Comparing Private Jets to Commercial Airlines](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/comparing-private-jets-commercial-airlines.html) #### [Private Jets and Private Flying - Your Choices](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/private-jet-options.html) ### SherpaReport monthly newsletter First Name Email Comments ### Latest News in Private Aviation ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/Magell-legacy-250.jpg) #### [ Magellan Adds Flexibility To Its Jet Cards ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/magellan-flexibility-cards.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/Premier-Hawker800-250.jpg) #### [ Premier Private Jets at a Glance: Products, Fleet, and Infrastructure ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/premier-private-jets-overview.html) ![Mike Silvestro opening Farnborough FBO](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/Flex-Mike_Silvestro-Farn-250.jpg) #### [ Inside Flexjet’s New Farnborough Terminal and Red Label Academy Expansion ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/inside-flexjets-farnborough-terminal.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/flyte-vision-N440MA-250.jpg) #### [ Flyte: A Focused Regional Vision Jet Operator ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/flyte-vision-jet-operator.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/NetJets-P500-250.jpg) #### [ How Old Is the Private Jet You Are Flying On? ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/how-old-private-jet.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/ClayLacy-Charter-250-2.jpg) #### [ Solairus Acquiring Clay Lacy Aircraft Management & Charter Divisions ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/solairus-acquire-clay-lacy.html) ### Aviation Company Profiles ![Aviation Company Profiles](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/company-profiles/CompanyProfile.png) Details on the leading private aviation companies, including aircraft management companies, fractional operators, charter operators and brokers. - [Find out more](https://www.sherpareport.com/aviation-company-profile/) ### SherpaReport Membership Get the latest, updated data and insights on the leading fractional jet programs, leading private jet card and membership programs, and the top-rated charter operators. 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