Arrival Information: Semesters 53 & 54
You should plan to arrive at the High Mountain Institute for the Fall Semester on Monday, August 19, 2024 or on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 for the Spring Semester.
Driving
If you choose to be dropped off by your family, please use the 531 County Road 5A, Leadville CO address. You should plan to arrive at HMI no earlier than 1 pm and before 5 pm MT.
Flying
If you choose to fly, we will meet you at the Denver International Airport (DEN). We will be meeting flights that are scheduled to arrive between 10 am and 2 pm MT only on Monday, August 19 (Fall Semester) or between 10 am and 2 pm MT only on Wednesday, January 22 (Spring Semester). At 2 pm MT on each of these days, we will load the HMI buses and depart for Leadville.
The Denver International Airport consists of three separate concourses and the main terminal. All concourses are serviced by an easy-access, underground rail system that takes passengers from their arriving concourse to the terminal. The train is free and departs every 2 minutes. The train trip from the furthest concourse (Concourse C) to the terminal takes approximately 5 minutes.
When you get off the plane, follow signs to the train that will take you to the Main Terminal and Baggage Claim. Exit the train at the terminal, and take the escalator up one flight to the atrium of the terminal. This is the Ground Transportation and Baggage Claim level. HMI Semester Faculty members will be waiting for you in the center of the Great Hall with signs and wearing HMI clothing. From there, we will check you in and help you gather your baggage (please meet us before looking for your luggage). Once the final flights arrive, we will board our shuttles for the 2 ½ hour drive to the HMI campus.
If you cannot arrive at Denver International between 10 am and 2 pm MT you will need to arrange for ground transportation to HMI (see final section).
Important Information to Have with You
You will want to carry a cell phone and a few telephone numbers with you on the day you travel:
High Mountain Institute Office: 719-486-8200 (press 0 to get the faculty on duty)
Denver International Airport Information: 303-342-2000
Denver International Airport Paging: 303-342-2300
If you are having trouble finding the HMI faculty at the airport, please call the High Mountain Institute office first before trying anything else.
Travel Information, Vacation Dates, and Departure
Special Arrangements Travel
There may be times during the semester when you need to get to the airport. For example, we have had students attend family weddings or other events. At these times, you must arrange for personal ground transportation from HMI to the airport and back (you can ask the Registrar for assistance in making arrangements). See below for shuttle options.
Vacation Travel & Important Dates
Fall Semester
Family Weekend will run from Friday, November 15 at 5:00 pm – Saturday, November 16 at approximately 4:00 PM. Families should schedule departures from the area for Sunday, November 17. Your students are encouraged to depart campus with you on Saturday night for Spring Break, if possible. More info about Family Weekend will be provided once the semester is underway.
Students have Fall Break from Sunday, November 17 – Sunday, November 24 during which time campus will be closed. We will provide transportation to and from the Denver airport at the beginning and end of the break for students; if using HMI transportation you should schedule flights that depart no earlier than 11:30 am and before 6:00 pm; return flights should arrive at the Denver airport before 2:00 PM.
Spring Semester
Family Weekend will run from Friday, April 4 at 5:00 pm to Saturday, April 5 at approximately 4:00 PM. Families should schedule departures from the area for Sunday, April 6. Your students are encouraged to depart campus with you on Saturday night for Spring Break, if possible. More info about Family Weekend will be provided once the semester is underway.
Students have Spring Break from Sunday, April 6 – Sunday, April 13 during which time campus will be closed. We will provide transportation to and from the Denver airport at the beginning and end of the break for students; if using HMI transportation you should schedule flights that depart no earlier than 11:30 am and before 6:00 pm; return flights should arrive at the Denver airport before 2:00 pm.
End of the Semester Departure
Our semesters end on Sunday, December 15, 2024 (Fall) and Sunday, May 25, 2025 (Spring). We take students to the Denver airport at the end of each semester; please schedule flights to depart no earlier than 11:30 am and before 6:00 pm. If you are picking up your student from campus, it must be by 8 am.
Travel Itinerary Questionnaire
In July (for Fall Semester students) or November (for Spring Semester students), we will send you a Travel Itinerary form. We will ask you to fill out the details of your arrival at HMI or the Denver International Airport so that we may plan accordingly. This form is due back to us by August 1 (Fall Semester) or January 1 (Spring Semester). In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Registrar for the HMI Semester at registrar@hminet.org or 719-486-8200 x118.
If you remember nothing else, please remember that if we are going to pick you up at Denver International Airport on a designated arrival day, your flight must be scheduled to arrive before 2 pm. On departure days, your flight must be scheduled to depart after 11:30 am and before 6:00 pm MT.
Private Shuttle Information
Below are three shuttle services that run between the Frisco Transfer Center and Denver International Airport. They do not deliver passengers all the way to Leadville. Please contact us if you need to schedule one of these shuttles, to discuss travel options to get you to/from Leadville/Frisco.
Peak1 Express
Epic Mountain Express
Summit Express
Peak1 Website (855-GO-PEAK1)
Whether your flight arrives at Concourse A, B, or C, you will need to take the airport train to the main terminal (Jeppesen Terminal). You will meet us on the East Side at Door # 515. Your shuttle will meet you at Island #1 under the Mountain Carriers sign (you will need to cross Island #1). Please plan to arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
Epic Website (970-754-7433)
When you retrieve your luggage, you can find the Colorado Mountain Express Check-In Counter near the Hertz rental car desk. Upon arrival at DIA meet your shuttle at the designated pickup area. Head to the East Side Baggage Claim; Proceed to Baggage Claim #7; There you will find Door #513; Walk outside to Island #1. Your airport shuttle driver will arrive 5 minutes prior to pick up and will depart promptly.
Summit Website (855-686-8267)
Upon arrival at DIA meet your shuttle at the designated pickup area. Head to the East Side Baggage Claim; Proceed to Baggage Claim #7; There you will find Door #513; Walk outside to Island #1. Your airport shuttle driver will arrive 5 minutes prior to pick up and will depart promptly.
Please note that this information is intended for student travel when it is not during our standard travel times.
During our standard travel times, HMI will deliver students to or pick them up from the airport as long as they either depart after 11:30 am or arrive before 2 pm.