Which of these to ski in Colorado?
Oct 7th, 2002, 06:55 AM
#21
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Not to put a damper on your ski trip, but you have to know that Colorado ski resorts are a lot higher than Utah's or California's, so that altitude sickness is definitely a problem. About 20% of people can experience fairly severe problems that go beyond hedaaches and nausea. My warning is based on personal experience in Copper --- plus my husband regularly attends a conference in Breckenridge or Keystone (and there are always several attendees who have to leave for Denver). Note that this is not related to your general level of fitness and very unpredictable.
Oct 7th, 2002, 08:03 AM
#22
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I question Ingrid's "statistics".
While I might agree that 20% of people experience some effects from the altitude, they are usually mild and go away after a day or two at altitude.
I can assure you (from MY personal experience) that very few people (I know of none personally) experience "fairly severe problems" requiring removal to lower altitudes.
While I might agree that 20% of people experience some effects from the altitude, they are usually mild and go away after a day or two at altitude.
I can assure you (from MY personal experience) that very few people (I know of none personally) experience "fairly severe problems" requiring removal to lower altitudes.
Oct 7th, 2002, 08:39 AM
#23
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Les I think you are right. If that high of a number had severe troubles, the ski areas would not be nearly as crowded. Truth is very few ppl expierence severe syptoms that require leaving for lower altitudes.
Best is to prepare, LOTS of H2O both before and while you are here, lay of the booze that first day/night, Asprin helps some as does prescrition meds, ask your doc if your prone to altitude.
problems.
Les is right too that most symptoms are very mild, headache, queasyness, that go away after a day.
Best is to prepare, LOTS of H2O both before and while you are here, lay of the booze that first day/night, Asprin helps some as does prescrition meds, ask your doc if your prone to altitude.
problems.
Les is right too that most symptoms are very mild, headache, queasyness, that go away after a day.
Oct 7th, 2002, 10:45 AM
#24
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I got my statistics from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center website:
http://hypoxia.uchsc.edu:8080/ams.htm
Acute Mountain Sickness has been reported to occur in 17 to 24% of those who travel from sea level to above 8,000 feet. Higher altitudes increase the incidence of symptoms with 67% becoming ill at 14,000 feet.
After our experience, I talked at length to the nurses in Keystone, who recommended to stay at least for one day in Denver before driving up to the resorts. In fact, they said that locals do the same after a longer stay at sea level.
http://hypoxia.uchsc.edu:8080/ams.htm
Acute Mountain Sickness has been reported to occur in 17 to 24% of those who travel from sea level to above 8,000 feet. Higher altitudes increase the incidence of symptoms with 67% becoming ill at 14,000 feet.
After our experience, I talked at length to the nurses in Keystone, who recommended to stay at least for one day in Denver before driving up to the resorts. In fact, they said that locals do the same after a longer stay at sea level.
Oct 7th, 2002, 11:34 AM
#25
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Ingrid,
The term is A.M.S. (Acute Mountain Sickness). This is what affects 20 to 30% of Colorado mountain visitors (reference http://www.nrel.gov/altitude.html).
Although the term "Acute" is used in the name, there is usually nothing acute about the symptoms. To quote from the site, "Acute Mountain Sickness is a MILD form of altitude sickness which effects 20% to 30% of visitors to Colorado" (capitalization is mine). I think you're being misled by the the terminology used for this condition. I think that if you read the site you mentioned more carefully, you'll see that they, too, don't back up your original post, where you say "About 20% of people can experience fairly severe problems that go beyond headaches nausea". To quote directly from the site you reference, "Nausea and anorexia are less common presenting complaints, occurring in less than five percent of cases.", and "AMS is generally a self limited condition spontaneously resolving within three
to four days".
The term is A.M.S. (Acute Mountain Sickness). This is what affects 20 to 30% of Colorado mountain visitors (reference http://www.nrel.gov/altitude.html).
Although the term "Acute" is used in the name, there is usually nothing acute about the symptoms. To quote from the site, "Acute Mountain Sickness is a MILD form of altitude sickness which effects 20% to 30% of visitors to Colorado" (capitalization is mine). I think you're being misled by the the terminology used for this condition. I think that if you read the site you mentioned more carefully, you'll see that they, too, don't back up your original post, where you say "About 20% of people can experience fairly severe problems that go beyond headaches nausea". To quote directly from the site you reference, "Nausea and anorexia are less common presenting complaints, occurring in less than five percent of cases.", and "AMS is generally a self limited condition spontaneously resolving within three
to four days".
Oct 7th, 2002, 11:49 AM
#26
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"Are any of these more crowded from the Denver people who just come to ski for a day?"
That's funny; here in Denver we try to figure out which resorts will be packed full of large, obnoxious groups of out-of-state tourists, particularly ones from the South.
That's funny; here in Denver we try to figure out which resorts will be packed full of large, obnoxious groups of out-of-state tourists, particularly ones from the South.
Oct 8th, 2002, 08:10 AM
#27
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Okay, my last posting on this topic. I was merely trying to point out that it's something to consider if you can expect that quite a few people in your group may end up feeling "very miserable" (same website) for 3-5 days on a a 6-day trip. I don't know about Winter Park, but the other resorts you mentioned are all very high up.
In any case, have a great trip!
In any case, have a great trip!
Nov 17th, 2002, 08:32 PM
#28
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Been to Keystone (good choice), Breckenridge (ambience but maybe overrun w/ crowds, church groups by now, Copper Mtn (ambience but accom. run down. Newer ones not quiet ready at the time, but now would likely be great in newer village), and most recently Steamboat. Steamboat Grand is an awesome place to stay, especially for your large group. Not slopeside, but only steps away. Highly recommend above all other places. Other CO places visited have been too long ago to fairly assess for now. If flying to Denver & renting SUV, take time to stopover in Georgetown for an hour and peruse the town. Charming!
Nov 19th, 2002, 03:05 PM
#29
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Having lived in Summit County for over 15 years, I have seen very few cases of altitude sickness, or pulmonary edema. If you get in decent physical shape, aren't grossly overweight(morbidly overweight and you shouldn't come here), lay off the booze and caffeine, and drink a lot of water you should do fine. I don't know any locals who come back from sea level and spend a night in Denver before coming back home. If you are concerned, you can get a doctor'sprescription for oxygen and the drug stores will deliver it to you.
Since I live in Breckenridge, I do hope you will at least plan a day here, there is much more of a town here with lots of shops and restaurants. It would be a shame not to see it.
Since I live in Breckenridge, I do hope you will at least plan a day here, there is much more of a town here with lots of shops and restaurants. It would be a shame not to see it.
