Tracey

Ingrid,
I had altitude sickness the first time I skied Steamboat. I also smoked at that time. A few years later I skied Breckenridge, which is a lot higher, but did not get sick. I also had stopped smoking. The difference was I stayed at 10,000 feet for about an hour and acclimated myself to the altitude. Try doing that with your daughter. Bring her up slowly.

Protecting Myself

Have you ever considered the pyschological side of this trip? Your daughter may have some freaky memories of being sick; at her age snow, skiing, etc. may trigger some things with her.

Mom

As a mother, I don't understand this question at all. If one of my children can't tolerate something, then it is off the list of family activities. If they get seasick, I wouldn't take the family deep sea fishing. If they are afraid of heights, I wouldn't have us all go rock climbing or hang gliding. If they are claustrophobic, cave exploration is out of the question.

I would consider the feelings of my children. No one enjoys creating a "problem" while on vacation. It is embarassing, particularly for 10 year old girls who hate to stand out. No one can guarantee you that your daughter will be comfortable and will handle the altitude adjustment well, particularly a nurse at a ski school who may have good general information but who does not have a crystal ball.

This is not intended to criticize your parenting. But mom-to-mom, I'd suggest shelving the ski vacations for a while and just doing something else. After all, we are only talking about a vacation, so why take a vacation that you know for a fact has the potential to cause discomfort for your child?

Good luck.

ingrid

The kid wants to go skiing. It wasn't that she had a miserabletime; we played in the condo and went to the pool the first two days; the other days she was on the slopes. We've been several times skiing since Colorado; and as I said, we'll go to Maine this year.
Last posting for me now on this topic.

Mom

And by golly, we do what the kids want, oxygen or no!

AnotherMom

First of all--anyone affiliated with the Ski School wants your kid there so they can get $$$ out of lessons.

Secondly--Find a good pediatric pulmonary specialist and ask them their opinion instead of posting the question to a bunch of non-medical people on a travel board.

Thirdly--If I had to witness my kid being hooked up to a 35 foot long hose of oxygen, we would be on the first plane back to home. My kid's health and well being come before any vacation.

Fourth-There was a student from our hometown who died of pulmonary complications from altitude while hiking. This was his secound bout with it, no one thought anything of the first bout.

Lastly Ingrid, where the hell is your common sense?? Sounds to me like you don't have any. BTW, was your boyfriend there with you?? Is that why you didn't want to cut your trip short??? Your kid's welfare should have come BEFORE your own selfish needs...

gb

I'm not a doctor but these are a few things that have worked with frineds from low altitudes. First, spend a night in Denver to get some acclimation. Second, try to sleep with windows slightly open if possible. Third, increase drinking of water several days before trip. It is extremely dry here in the winter. Continue drinking a large glass of water at every meal while here.

amy

oh Ingrid - I am so sorry. I hope by now you have stopped reading this thread. this happened to me last year - posted a question and got twenty replies about being a bad mom - happens all the time - look at any vegas with kids thread or any child on airplane thread. i just look at sight about once a month now just to see if people are as belittling and cruel as ever and it never ceases to amaze me. i bet you learned your lesson too.

Another No

Amy, there's been some really good advice here. This is a new topic with some excellent points. (Especially liked the comment about 10 year old girls not wanting to stand out.)

You sound a little bitter, Amy. We don't all get along, but we can usually find a way to play together.

Jeannie

gb-excellent advice for those going from low to high altitudes, but I think you are missing the point. The little girl had an extreme reaction to the high altitude and was put on oxygen. I would be very scared this would happen again. I think the advice to contact a pediatric pulmonary specialist is a sound one. This is more than a little case of altitude sickness and could be fatal the next time.

Skier

Here is a url with some information:

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/altitude.html

You can also find info on webmd.com or cbshealthwatch.com.