A visit to Lake Tahoe can be a lot of fun, but altitude sickness can ruin it. By learning about Lake Tahoe elevation and following these three tips, you'll be able to minimize your risk of experiencing Lake Tahoe altitude sickness.
Lake Tahoe altitude sits at 6,225 feet above sea level. The elevation at Lake Tahoe is above other high-altitude cities including Reno and even Denver.
Once you arrive at Lake Tahoe, 6,225 feet is usually just the beginning of the high elevation as it only increases as you go into the surrounding mountains.
Yes, people get altitude sickness at Lake Tahoe.
University Of Michigan estimates altitude sickness to start at 6,000 feet above sea level.³ This makes Lake Tahoe a prime area for altitude sickness risk at an elevation at 6,225 feet.
Follow our tips below to help avoid Lake Tahoe altitude sickness.
Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful and sought after destinations in the world. Many people who visit Lake Tahoe do not realize that the lake is at high altitude.
The lake is at 6225 feet above sea level, which means that visitors should take precautions when they arrive. That is higher than many cities and towns in California and Nevada. They say altitude sickness starts at 8000 feet, however, many people don't know that mild forms can still occur at elevations as low as 4000-5000 feet. For example, our company is based in Denver at 5280 feet and visitors commonly experience various altitude sickness symptoms.
Furthermore, if you're visiting Lake Tahoe to ski, it's even worse. Ski resorts such as Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, Northstar California, Kirkwood, and Sugar Bowl can rise to peaks as high as 10,067 feet and cause more moderate to severe altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, occurs when the air you're breathing contains less oxygen from the high altitudes. At 6225 feet, Lake Tahoe is estimated to have 20% less oxygen than at sea level. Your body will have trouble adjusting and symptoms like a headache are the most common.
Lake Tahoe altitude symptoms may include:
Proper preparation is the best way to prevent Lake Tahoe altitude sickness.
Lake Tahoe is known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, it's also known for being at a higher elevation than most. If you're planning a trip, it's important to understand how to best prepare for Lake Tahoe altitude sickness.
There's proven ways how to avoid altitude sickness. Here are three tips to help you prevent altitude sickness during your trip to Lake Tahoe:
Zaca's fast-acting chewables tablets are a top pick for altitude due to its powerful ingredients that include both Glutathione and DHM. The taste is a delicious berry and they are easy to take on-the-go with its portable packets. Take the chewables before and during your mountain trip to replenish, rehydrate and recover. Try Zaca chewable tablets today and better enjoy your altitude journey!
SOURCES:
1. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
2. Dihydromyricetin Improves Physical Performance under Simulated High Altitude
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2014/11000/Dihydromyricetin_Improves_Physical_Performance.6.aspx
3. Altitude Sickness University Of Michigan Health Service
https://uhs.umich.edu/travel-altitude-sickness
4. Lake Tahoe Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tahoe