How to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Breckenridge Colorado

If you're traveling to a high altitude ski destination, such as Breckenridge, Colorado this winter, it's important that you bring along a thorough understanding of how higher elevations can affect your travels. With a base elevation perched at 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge is one of the highest ski towns in the American West.

Most travelers will find that the altitude of Breckenridge has a relatively mild effect on them. It is not uncommon to notice a slight headache or have a bit of trouble sleeping for the first two to three days after arrival. Unfortunately, some visitors will experience more severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, significant headaches and shortness of breath. The good news is that by following a few simple precautions, most travelers can mitigate the effect of altitude to the point that they are barely noticeable at all.

Visitors who believe they may be prone to the effects of altitude should consult their family physician before heading to Breckenridge. He or she may prescribe a drug known as Diamox. This prescription is taken for two days prior to your arrival in Breckenridge and for the first three to four days of your stay. It can help to mitigate the most noticeable symptoms of high altitude. Children may also receive a prescription for Diamox in smaller doses than those given to adults. It's also a good idea to ask your physician if the effects of altitude may aggravate any preexisting health conditions you may have.

Prior to arriving in Breckenridge, visitors should increase their water intake and be sure to remain well hydrated during the course of their stay. The body's adjustment to higher elevations is accompanied by fluid loss. This is the result of an increased respiration rate, and with it, greater amounts of water vapor are exhaled. Try to consume a minimum of one hundred ounces of fluids each day to retain the level of hydration needed by your body. A diet that is high in carbohydrates will also help with acclimatization, as these simple sugars are more easily digested by your body, allowing it to focus more energy on adjusting to altitude. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol will also help, as they can contribute to dehydration.

Spending a night in Denver before traveling to Breckenridge can also be an effective method of acclimating. At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Denver offers an ideal median altitude to adjust to before moving on to higher elevations.

It's always a good idea to take things easy for the first day or two after your arrival in Breckenridge. Exhausting yourself by skiing from the time the mountain opens to the time it closes can bring on the symptoms of altitude sickness, even days after your arrival. Light activity is better for acclimating than bed rest, even if you do not feel well. Lying in bed or sleeping decreases the body's rate of respiration which can actually amplify the effects of altitude sickness. Even if you're not feeling one hundred percent, a short walk around town will help your body adjust to its new surroundings much faster than trying to sleep off symptoms. Consider taking a stroll to a local oxygen bar, where for a few dollars, you can breathe an oxygen concentration that resembles lower altitudes.

Although altitude sickness has the capacity to put a damper on your ski vacation, understanding the simple steps that can be taken to avoid it ought to make your adjustment to Breckenridge's elevation a much easier one. It is important that guests remember not to "overdo it" when it comes to activity, alcohol and caffeine, while increasing their consumption of hydrating fluids. By following a few simple precautions, you can ensure that your next ski or snowboard vacation in Breckenridge is a spectacular one. Most importantly, if symptoms of mountain sickness do not improve within a few days of your arrival or worsen, consult a local physician, as this may be a sign of a more dangerous condition known as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.