DTX → DEN
Denver
Mountain views, ski-country access, a walkable downtown.
- Flight
- ~2h nonstop, 4x weekly on Avelo
- Best time
- December–March for skiing; June–September for hiking and Red Rocks concerts
- Weather
- Sunny and dry
Photo: David Herrera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Overview
Denver is the first mountain route from McKinney and the obvious winter one: a big-city weekend, or the gateway to I-70 ski country. Avelo flies nonstop from DTX 4x weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) starting December 16, 2026 — right as ski season gets going.
Photo: Sarbjit Bahga / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
- Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
- Union Station and LoDo
- Denver Art Museum
- Ski day trips along I-70
- Denver Botanic Gardens
Family-friendly activities
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Denver Zoo
- Children's Museum of Denver
- Downtown Aquarium
Business travel
- The A Line commuter train runs from DEN to Union Station in about 37 minutes — skip the rental car for a downtown-only trip.
- The Colorado Convention Center is a short walk from most downtown hotels.
- DEN sits about 25 miles from downtown; allow extra time for the airport's long walks and train to the concourses.
What to pack
- Warm layers and a packable down jacket
- Lip balm and moisturizer for the dry air
- Sunglasses and SPF (the sun is stronger at altitude)
- Refillable water bottle
- Ski gear or a rental reservation
Weather
Sunny and dry; winter highs in the 40s with quick-melting snow in the city, far colder in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
When do flights from McKinney to Denver start?
December 16, 2026. Avelo flies the route 4x weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
How long is the flight from McKinney to Denver?
About two hours nonstop, based on comparable North Texas–Denver flights. Check Avelo's schedule for exact times.
Can I fly from McKinney to Denver for a ski trip?
Yes, and the timing suits it. The Friday flight and Monday return make a three-night ski weekend. The closest big resorts along I-70 are roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from DEN, longer on weekend mornings and in snow.
Is there a $99 fare to Denver?
Avelo's introductory $99 one-way fare, including a checked bag, covers travel December 1–17, 2026 and January 7–31, 2027. It must be booked by October 12, 2026, and seats at that price are limited.
McKinney or DFW for Denver?
DFW has many daily nonstops on several airlines, which matters if your dates don't fit Avelo's four days. If they do, DTX saves the drive to DFW, and parking is reported at $15 a day against DFW's $37–40 terminal rate.
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