Here's a quote from an SI.com report by Yi-Wyn Yen:

quote:

---

If you plan to drive from Denver International Airport to Aspen, try to book a flight into Aspen instead. The drive is typically 3½ hours, but it takes twice as long if you follow Avis' GPS unit. Friday I was 20 miles from Aspen when the road was suddenly blocked off with four feet of snow because Independence Pass, or Colorado Highway 82E, closes during the winter. My stupid GPS did not factor that in, and I had to backtrack 125 miles, which took an extra three hours. The moral of the story is don't rent from Avis.

---

When in doubt blame the GPS and the rental company

Any seasoned skier knows you get to Aspen via Glenwood Springs in the winter if you are driving. Of course why drive in the first place since you don't need a car in Aspen, just take the SKi bus from the Denver airport and relax.
If you got extra bucks fly into Aspen airport.