Denver International Airport (DIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world, welcoming 77.8 million passengers in 2023, a more than 12% increase over the previous year.
Nestled among the Rocky Mountains, at more than 5,400 feet above sea level, DIA receives on average 47 inches of snowfall each year. The city of Denver is one of the snowiest cities in the US.
With all those people, and all that snow falling typically from late September through April, keeping pedestrian areas cleared during the winter months is a top priority for passengers, the airlines, and the airport personnel alike.
“We have had a snow removal team working on the ground 24/7 this season to keep pedestrian walkways and parking lots clear and safe,” said Scott Yeager, District Manager, Aramark Facilities Management.
Moving Mountains (of Snow)
Working from a location onsite at DIA, 35 full-time Aramark Facilities Management team members—and more staff depending on storm size—manage snow removal operations for 16 parking lots and all pedestrian sidewalks and bus stops within each lot.
Altogether, DIA operates on about 53 square miles—or about 34,000 acres.
“We have had up to 80 people running operations this season,” said Jacob Gerace, Snow Removal Director of Operations - Denver District, Aramark Facilities Management. The team works under the airport’s Operations Department to coordinate activities and ensure efficiency. “In heavy storms, we rotate shifts every 12 hours, and teams use a variety of equipment tailored for specific removal activities.”
This season, team members used the following equipment to clear snow:
- 36 hand snow blowers and snow brushes
- 15 ice melt spreaders
- 6 John Deere 1025R Tractors and Gators
- Assorted skid-loaders and loaders
- 30+ heavy-duty trucks and SUVs
“Snow removal operations isn’t something we typically do as a core service, but it was a perfect fit for us,” said Yeager. “We provide services to many clients in the area, including at Coors Field, which is just ramping up now for baseball season. So, we were able to easily leverage our expertise and our personnel to serve the people coming in and out of the airport this winter.”
