Best of Breck
Breckenridge sits at 9,600 feet and the lifts top out at 12,840. How to adjust, what the symptoms are and when to get help.
Photo: DReifGalaxyM31, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Altitude
The town of Breckenridge is at 9,600 feet, and the top of the Imperial SuperChair is at 12,840. If you've flown in from near sea level, that's a big jump, and most visitors feel it somehow. You might be short of breath on the first run, get a headache in the evening or sleep badly the first night.
For most people it passes after a day or two. These are the things that help, from the town's visitor guide and the resort. We're not doctors, so if you have a health condition, ask yours before you travel.
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Adjusting
Before you come
The single biggest thing you can do.
The town's visitor guide suggests 2 to 3 liters of water a day in the days before your trip, and about twice what you'd normally drink once you're here. Electrolyte drinks help. The air is dry as well as thin, so you lose more water than you notice.
Day one
Ski the lower peaks first.
Don't go straight to Imperial on your first morning. The resort suggests spending day one on Peak 9 or Peak 7 and moving up to the high bowls once you've adjusted. Stop for snacks more often than you would at home.
In the evening
It hits harder up here.
Alcohol and caffeine both slow down how well you adjust. If you're drinking, have a glass of water with each one. The first night is when most people overdo it.
At night
Thin air makes for restless nights.
Poor sleep is one of the common signs of altitude, and dry air makes it worse. Many hotels and rentals have humidifiers. Ask for one.
Know the signs
Headache, nausea, tiredness.
Mild altitude sickness usually means a headache, dizziness, nausea, poor appetite, bad sleep and feeling tired. Rest and water often sort it out. If symptoms are severe or get worse, see a doctor. The nearest hospital is in Frisco.
FAQ
The town is at 9,600 feet. The ski resort’s highest lift, the Imperial SuperChair, reaches 12,840 feet, and the Peak 8 summit is 12,998 feet.
Most people feel better after a day or two. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol and spend your first day on the lower peaks.
Check before you go
Keep exploring
Book online before you arrive and pick your gear up in town the evening before. The morning rush at the base shops can eat your first hour, and booking ahead can be cheaper.
Breck is on the Epic Pass. Buying a ticket at the window on the day is the most expensive way up the hill, so buy ahead online or look at an Epic Day Pass if you're here for a few days.
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