There is no escaping winter in 2020. With snow already beginning to fall in parts of the United States, now is the perfect time to start planning this year’s getaway. Several factors go into chartering a private jet in the winter that you should be aware of.
Flexibility and Convenience
Traveling by private jet charter may require more planning, but overall gives you far more flexibility than traveling on a commercial airline. If you wish to avoid the busy airports outside of ski towns, private is the best way to do so. It allows you to land closer and ski longer as many ski towns have smaller airports that commercial airlines cannot use.
There is no need to worry about driving a far distance to the airport just to get notified that your flight is delayed due to bad weather. In fact, in some instances flying private gives you the option to travel around the bad weather. This doesn’t guarantee you won’t run into any weather issues; however, operators can catch them much quicker and work with their passengers to figure out the best possible solution to the delay. For example, if there is bad weather coming, you may be given the option to depart early. This depends on the position and the schedule of the aircraft.
De-icing
Flying private is the safest, most effective way to travel to and from your favorite winter destination, even with snow and ice on the ground. Just like cars parked outdoors, a private jet outside of a hangar will most likely accumulate ice and need a de-icing before takeoff. It is a legal requirement to remove ice and snow from a private jet charter aircraft before takeoff. All airports with freezing temperatures during this season are equipped with de-icing equipment. The charter company is responsible for settling the cost of any de-icing. Private jet de-icing charges are usually invoiced at cost price after the flight is complete.
Luggage
Now for everyone’s favorite part, packing. It is important to think about what you are bringing with you, especially if you will be outdoors. Skis and bulky coats take up a lot more space than you think. The most effective way to pack when flying private is with soft-sided duffle bags. We typically see passengers traveling a little heavier this time of year. Soft-sided duffle bags are the easiest to stuff and store on the aircraft. Let your charter sales executive know how much luggage you plan to bring when booking your trip as all planes have different baggage capacity and weight requirements.
Popular Destinations
1. Vail, Colorado: Vail is home to one of the area’s largest and most globally known ski resorts in the United States. If luxury and convenience are top of mind for you and your family, Vail by private jet is a perfect destination for you.
2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Jackson Hole is known for its excellent skiing and spectacular views. The airport is only about 15 min from town and another 15 min to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Opening day this winter is November 26, 2020. Jackson Hole has plenty of activities outside of skiing and snowboarding. Enjoy dog sledding, gondola rides, snow tubing, and wildlife tours through nearby Yellowstone National Park.
3. Breckenridge, Colorado: Breckenridge is known for its charming mountain town located about an hour outside of Denver. It makes the perfect destination for a family ski vacation with four terrain parks of varying difficulty.
4. Mammoth Mountain, California: With the ski mountain opening November 9, 2020, Mammoth Mountain has one of the longest ski seasons. Located along the mountain range in Eastern California, the resort boasts the highest elevation for skiing in California.
