| If you're traveling to a high altitude ski destination, | | | | also help with acclimatization, as these simple sugars |
| such as Breckenridge, Colorado this winter, it's | | | | are more easily digested by your body, allowing it to |
| important that you bring along a thorough | | | | focus more energy on adjusting to altitude. Avoiding |
| understanding of how higher elevations can affect | | | | caffeine and alcohol will also help, as they can |
| your travels. With a base elevation perched at 9,600 | | | | contribute to dehydration. |
| feet above sea level, Breckenridge is one of the | | | | Spending a night in Denver before traveling to |
| highest ski towns in the American West. | | | | Breckenridge can also be an effective method of |
| Most travelers will find that the altitude of | | | | acclimating. At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Denver |
| Breckenridge has a relatively mild effect on them. It | | | | offers an ideal median altitude to adjust to before |
| is not uncommon to notice a slight headache or have | | | | moving on to higher elevations. |
| a bit of trouble sleeping for the first two to three | | | | It's always a good idea to take things easy for the |
| days after arrival. Unfortunately, some visitors will | | | | first day or two after your arrival in Breckenridge. |
| experience more severe symptoms including nausea, | | | | Exhausting yourself by skiing from the time the |
| vomiting, significant headaches and shortness of | | | | mountain opens to the time it closes can bring on the |
| breath. The good news is that by following a few | | | | symptoms of altitude sickness, even days after your |
| simple precautions, most travelers can mitigate the | | | | arrival. Light activity is better for acclimating than bed |
| effect of altitude to the point that they are barely | | | | rest, even if you do not feel well. Lying in bed or |
| noticeable at all. | | | | sleeping decreases the body's rate of respiration |
| Visitors who believe they may be prone to the | | | | which can actually amplify the effects of altitude |
| effects of altitude should consult their family | | | | sickness. Even if you're not feeling one hundred |
| physician before heading to Breckenridge. He or she | | | | percent, a short walk around town will help your |
| may prescribe a drug known as Diamox. This | | | | body adjust to its new surroundings much faster |
| prescription is taken for two days prior to your | | | | than trying to sleep off symptoms. Consider taking a |
| arrival in Breckenridge and for the first three to four | | | | stroll to a local oxygen bar, where for a few dollars, |
| days of your stay. It can help to mitigate the most | | | | you can breathe an oxygen concentration that |
| noticeable symptoms of high altitude. Children may | | | | resembles lower altitudes. |
| also receive a prescription for Diamox in smaller | | | | Although altitude sickness has the capacity to put a |
| doses than those given to adults. It's also a good | | | | damper on your ski vacation, understanding the |
| idea to ask your physician if the effects of altitude | | | | simple steps that can be taken to avoid it ought to |
| may aggravate any preexisting health conditions you | | | | make your adjustment to Breckenridge's elevation a |
| may have. | | | | much easier one. It is important that guests |
| Prior to arriving in Breckenridge, visitors should | | | | remember not to "overdo it" when it comes to |
| increase their water intake and be sure to remain | | | | activity, alcohol and caffeine, while increasing their |
| well hydrated during the course of their stay. The | | | | consumption of hydrating fluids. By following a few |
| body's adjustment to higher elevations is | | | | simple precautions, you can ensure that your next ski |
| accompanied by fluid loss. This is the result of an | | | | or snowboard vacation in Breckenridge is a |
| increased respiration rate, and with it, greater | | | | spectacular one. Most importantly, if symptoms of |
| amounts of water vapor are exhaled. Try to | | | | mountain sickness do not improve within a few days |
| consume a minimum of one hundred ounces of fluids | | | | of your arrival or worsen, consult a local physician, as |
| each day to retain the level of hydration needed by | | | | this may be a sign of a more dangerous condition |
| your body. A diet that is high in carbohydrates will | | | | known as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. |