Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field (KASE), Colorado
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field (KASE) serves the Aspen, Colorado area from a single paved runway at 7,838 feet elevation, one of the higher-elevation towered fields handled in this network. The airport sits in a mountain valley with terrain rising to 12,500-14,000 feet MSL nearby, and its business aviation traffic, per FAA TFMSC data for 2025, is concentrated among a relatively small number of peak months against a quieter spring shoulder. Operators should treat KASE as a terrain-sensitive, procedure-heavy field rather than a routine mountain-adjacent stop.
Runways
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field has one paved runway, 15/33, 8,006 ft long and 100 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Helipads and surfaces under 500 ft are excluded.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field has Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 7am to 11pm, daily, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Eagle County Regional (KEGE), 25 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field recorded 25,923 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July and August. Business aviation traffic at KASE is concentrated in July, August, and March, according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 3,750 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field averages 1.3 days above 90°F in July and 31.0 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82.2°F, and December the coldest, at 34.3°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field has published operating constraints in seven categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Prior permission is required for takeoff on runway 15. Contact the FBO.
Hang gliders, para gliders, hot air balloon, and glider operations occur on and in the vicinity of the airport up to 18,000 feet MSL.
Due to high approach minimums, pilots may need an IFR alternate even when weather is forecast to be higher than 2000 feet ceiling and 3 miles visibility.
For all general aviation operations between 30 minutes after sunset and 2300, the following applies: aircraft equipped as required under FAR 91.205(d) for instrument flight requires an instrument-rated pilot. VFR pilot in command must have completed at least one takeoff or landing in the preceding 12 months at ASE. IFR operations must execute approach and departure procedures with ATC clearance.
A review of airplane performance is recommended, including density altitude, weight and balance, and climb performance.
When the control tower is closed, activate MALSF on runway 15, REIL on runway 33, PAPI on runway 15, and MIRL on runway 15/33 over CTAF. REIL on runway 15 remains under tower control and operates day VFR only.
A runway exists to support the PKN LDA associated with this airport for flight inspection purposes.
The PAPI is unusable beyond 4 nautical miles from the runway threshold and beyond 7 degrees right of the runway centerline.
The airport is located in a high mountain valley with mountainous terrain from 12,500 to 14,000 feet MSL in near proximity to the airport, with numerous unlighted obstructions. All adverse weather situations are magnified in mountains. Operations during periods of reduced visibility are discouraged for pilots unfamiliar with the area.
Uncontrolled traffic operates on the ramps. The runway 33 run-up area is not visible from the control tower.
All arriving aircraft from 2000 to 2300 local must announce on CTAF 118.85 when they are 20, 15, 10, and 5 miles out and on short final. Equipment may be on the runway.
The runway 33 threshold is non-standard; east side lights are not elevated.
Noise abatement procedures are in effect. Contact Airport Operations, extension 0.
Birds and other wildlife are present on and in the vicinity of the runways. Watch for wildlife on or near runways.
PCR VALUE: 373/F/B/X/T
Airport closed 2300-0700.
Due to poor visibility in the valley, use landing lights in the traffic pattern.
The FBO requires two hours advance notice for staging aircraft prior to departure.
Terrain will not allow for normal traffic patterns. High rates of descent may be required due to terrain and local procedures.
Unique VFR departure procedures exist. Call Airport Operations or the FBO for more information.
(A106) Aircraft requiring IFR should file a flight plan with Flight Service 45 minutes prior to estimated departure.
Unless ceilings are at least 2000 feet above the highest terrain and visibility is 15 miles or more, mountain flying is not recommended.
The airport is restricted to a maximum aircraft wingspan of 95 feet.
Pilots are responsible for passengers in the ramp area. Pedestrians and vehicles cannot enter taxiways without ATC clearance. Stay on the solid side of the red boundary marking line.
This is a cold temperature airport. Altitude correction is required at or below -21C.
All commercial aircraft must advise prior to pushback onto taxiway A.
Caution: high traffic intersection. Aircraft routinely hold short of taxiway A4 on taxiway A when inbound to the terminal or general aviation ramp.
Wind cones are located 60 feet west of taxiway A centerline.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field has five airfields within 43 NM. The closest is Crested Butte Airpark, 22.41 NM south.
Part of the Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KASE
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KASE.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating hours at KASE?
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field operates on a published schedule of 0700 to 2300 local, seven days a week, and the airport is closed outside that window. The control tower follows its own hours within that same band, and after tower closure pilots activate MALSF on runway 15, REIL on runway 33, PAPI on runway 15, and MIRL on runway 15/33 over CTAF. REIL on runway 15 remains under tower control and operates day VFR only. Dispatchers should plan arrivals and departures strictly inside the 0700-2300 window given the terrain and lighting constraints at KASE.
Does Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field have customs clearance on site?
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field does not have customs processing on site. The nearest customs facility is Eagle County Regional, located about 25.37 nautical miles from KASE. Crews arriving internationally need to route their clearance through that airport rather than expecting service at Sardy Field itself. This distance should factor into fuel and routing plans for any flight requiring a customs stop near Aspen.
What is the wingspan restriction at KASE?
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field restricts operations to a maximum aircraft wingspan of 95 feet. This limit reflects the constrained ramp and taxiway geometry at the field rather than a runway length issue, since runway 15/33 itself is 8,006 feet long. Operators of larger business jets should confirm their aircraft's wingspan against this figure before filing to KASE. The restriction applies regardless of weight or performance capability, so it is a hard planning limit rather than a weather- or weight-dependent one.
What terrain and weather challenges affect flights into KASE?
Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field sits in a high mountain valley surrounded by terrain rising from 12,500 to 14,000 feet MSL in close proximity to the airport, with numerous unlighted obstructions nearby. Normal traffic patterns are not possible here, and high rates of descent may be required due to local terrain and procedures. Adverse weather effects are magnified in this mountain setting, and operations during reduced visibility are discouraged for pilots unfamiliar with the area. Because of high approach minimums, pilots may need an IFR alternate even when the forecast weather is above 2000 feet and 3 miles visibility. Landing lights are also recommended in the traffic pattern due to poor visibility in the valley.
When is business aviation traffic busiest at KASE?
Business aviation traffic at Aspen-Pitkin County / Sardy Field peaks in July, August, and March, according to FAA TFMSC data for 2025. July recorded 3,750 business aviation operations and August recorded 3,613, the two highest months of the year, while March logged 2,917. By contrast, May saw only 95 operations, the lowest point in the annual cycle. Dispatchers planning trips to KASE during these summer and late-winter peaks should expect higher ramp congestion and should confirm staging arrangements well ahead of arrival given the airport's 95-foot wingspan restriction and limited ramp space.