Eagle "Vail" County Airport - Spotting Guide

Eagle “Vail” County Airport – Spotting Guide

January 2, 2021 - last modified on November 30, 2023

The Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE/KEGE) is located in the high Rocky Mountains of Colorado and is about 130 miles west of Denver. The airport services the ski resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, and more along with many other Colorado towns. During the winter months, the airport is the second busiest airport in Colorado for its convenient location to the local ski resorts. The airlines that operate at Eagle County include United, American, and Delta Airlines. All three of these airlines operate seasonal flights to Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, along with New York’s JFK, Laguardia, and Newark airports. United Airlines operates year round service to Denver and American Airlines flies to Dallas in the winter, spring, and summer. All three airlines used to operate 757s into Eagle until American Airlines retired their 757 fleet. Along with the 757, Eagle County regularly sees 737-700s, A319s, Embrear 170/175s and CRJ-700s. The airport also had service from Continental Airlines, US Airways, and Northwest Airlines until these airlines merged with their respective airlines. Between 2013 and 2018, Air Canada operated their A319s between Eagle County and Toronto until the route was dropped. Eagle County also has an abundance of private and charter jet flights from all across the country and the world. In 2018, Eagle County saw around 341,000 total passengers with 173,863 of those passengers from commercial traffic.

Written by Watts Brooks (follow him on Instagram). Last Update: January 2021

Rating (for the winter season only!)
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
07/25	2.743m (9.000ft) Aspahlt
Terminals	One for all commercial flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not neccesary, might be useful at spot #2
Car/Public Transport	Car is needed for all locations. Public transport is available with ECO Transit which provides service from the airport terminal to Eagle, Edwards, and Vail.
Restrooms	Nothing directly at the spots. Airport terminal and local stores.
Drinks/Food	Small variety of restaurants east of airport including Domino’s, Heidi’s Deli, and Costco Food Court (membership required).
Hotels	Nothing around the field. Most hotels located in the towns of Eagle and Glenwood Springs.
Season	Spotting is only recommended in the winter months. The offseason presents very limited amounts aircraft movements. Spotting is best between December and March when the airlines are operating winter service routes.
Security	Security is very rarely an issue at this airport. If investigated by security or police, they might ask to refrain from photographing private aircraft.
Runway Usage
07	Aircraft never land on this runway. However, depending on weather and traffic, American Airlines might use this runway for departures. This is rarely preformed especially in the winter.
25	Major direction and used for landings and departurues.

	Spot #1 – Mountainside Overlook – All Departures, Taxiway A
WHERE	This spot is located on the side of the mountain and requires some hiking. When traveling east on Cooley Mesa Rd, look for a group of trees with a house on the left along with a shed that sits on Forest Service Road 8377. At this point, slow down and look for another shed with a green roof. Before passing the shed, the road on the right side turns into a pullout. Pull off the road and park. If you are traveling westbound on Cooley Mesa Rd, continue past the pullout and make a U turn to travel eastbound. After parking, hike up onto the hill. There are no designated paths on the hill but it is possible to follow natural trails from wildlife. The hill is split into several ridges to travel up to get a good view of the airport. The farther to the east and up the mountain, the better the view of the airport generally gets.

WHAT	When situated above the airport, Runway 25/7 and Taxiway A are clearly visable.

TIME	Lighting is best between noon and sunset however aircraft departing 25 are never backlit in the winter months so spotters can enjoy this location all day.

MISC.	Hiking on this hill can be difficult because of slippery conditions especially in the winter. Boots along with lots of warm clothing are highly recommended.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm for all aircraft movements. Departures on runway 25 require at least 150mm.

	Spot #2 – Rental Overflow Lot – Departures and Arrivals
WHERE	There are two lots next to each other to the left of the terminal and the main parking lot. Look for the lot that is furthest to the west of the terminal. Turn into the parking lot and park anywhere. There are several large concrete blocks along the perimeter of the lot that can be used to stand on. Shooting through a fence is required for aircraft on the ground. Departing aircraft will typically be high enough to which shooting through the fence is not required.

WHAT	Runway 25 Arrivals/Departures, Taxiway A

TIME	All day. Aircraft might become backlit after takoff and as they bank to the south especially in the summer.

MISC.	Ladder might be useful here. Heat haze may be an issue in the summer.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-300mm

	Spot #3 – Dirt Pullout – Arrivals, Aircraft on De-Ice Ramp, Parked Aircraft
WHERE	This spot is located just east of the ramp area off of Cooley Mesa Rd. When heading east, the pulloff is on the left just after the ramp ends on the right. When heading west it is found just before the start of the east ramp. There are typically several parked private jets hugging the fence. The pulloff has a bike path running through it which can be used to walk to an area where the powerlines don’t block the approach path.

WHAT	Shots of aircraft landing and parked aircraft

TIME	This spot can be used throughout the day.

MISC.	Spotting through a fence is necessary for jets that are on the ramp or in the hangar. There are power lines that block arrivals in a couple of spots.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm Arrivals can vary between 75-300mm while aircraft next to the fence require a wide lens.

	Spot #4 – Sledding Hill – Runway 25 Arrivals
WHERE	When traveling along Cooley Mesa Rd going east, pull off to the side of the road anywhere that is suitable. There is an unmarked dirt road that can be used to pull off and into the field below the hill. In the winter months, the hill is used for sledding and there is typically several cars parked next to the large pile of boulders. There is additonal parking at the Ace Hardware store a little further up the road. After parking, hike up the hill and spot anywhere along the ridge.

WHAT	Arrivals on Runway 25 are clearly visable along with aircraft holding short for departure.

TIME	This spot can be used throughout the day.

MISC.	Be mindful of children, dogs, snowmobiles and other vehicles messing around in this area. Food and restrooms are located across the street.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm