What we knew before they landed
Mike J. and his family flew into Denver from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International on February 16, 2026, bound for The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek. Four travelers: two adults and two children. Eight checked bags.
Eight checked bags for four people is the detail that decides the vehicle. Add two car seats and a family who have just spent a travel day with small children, and there is no version of this that works if the vehicle turns up a size too small. That gets settled at booking, not at the curb.
The car seats were already in the vehicle
Both car seats were in the vehicle and ready before the family landed. That is the whole claim, and it is a small one, but it replaces the part of the trip that families dread: the rental counter queue, the walk to a cold lot, and then installing car seats yourself in a parking garage after a flight, in a vehicle you have never sat in before.
One thing we do not do, and will not: the parent installs the child in the seat and confirms the fit. Our chauffeur has the seats in place, secured and waiting, and helps however the parents want — but the final check belongs to the parent, every time. That is policy, not caution.
Denver to Beaver Creek, in February
The route runs west on I-70 over the Continental Divide and Vail Pass in the middle of ski season. It is a drive that rewards someone who does it every week and punishes someone doing it for the first time in an unfamiliar rental, with tired children in the back.
The family did none of the driving. They arrived at Bachelor Gulch with the bags, the car seats and the children all in the same vehicle they started in.
The Booking Sheet
- MSY to DEN, February 16, 2026 — resort transfer to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek
- Two adults, two children, two car seats
- Eight checked bags, one vehicle, no second car and no split party
- Car seats installed and waiting in the vehicle before the flight landed
- Parents perform the final fit check and buckle the children in — Arion policy
Flying in with children and gear?
Tell us the ages and the bag count when you book. Car seats are $25 each and are in the vehicle before you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicle fits a family with skis and luggage?
Ski luggage, not passenger count, is the constraint. Subtract roughly one seat per two hard ski cases. A family of five with equipment is usually more comfortable in a coach van than in an SUV rated for five.
Are child seats available?
Yes, with advance notice at booking. Tell dispatch the child's age and weight so the correct seat is installed before the vehicle leaves for the pickup.
How long is the transfer from DEN to Vail?
About three hours in good conditions for the 120 miles. During an active storm or Sunday afternoon eastbound traffic, plan four.
Can the chauffeur stop for groceries or a rental shop on the way?
Yes. Intermediate stops are common on resort transfers and are easier to accommodate when they are on the reservation rather than added mid-trip.
Is the vehicle equipped for traction law conditions?
Yes. Our vehicles run traction-law-compliant tires and equipment, and chauffeurs are ice-driving trained under our written Driver Excellence Manual and SOP.
Last reviewed: September 13, 2026 by Arion dispatch. Rates, policies and Colorado Department of Transportation rules are subject to change; call (970) 703-4995 for current details.