3 Tips To Avoid Aspen Altitude Sickness: Must-Read Guide

Aspen Altitude Sickness

The Colorado ski capital of Aspen is famous for its great resorts, year round skiing and ski culture. Being based out of Colorado, we'll inform you with everything you need to know about Aspen altitudeAspen altitude sickness, and three things that you can do to avoid altitude sickness when you visit Aspen.

Aspen Altitude

Aspen altitude sits at 7,908 feet (2,438 m) in elevation above sea level.

  • Aspen altitude - 7,908 feet (2,438 m)

In the county of Pitkin Colorado, Aspen is a remote area of the Rocky Mountains known as where the rich and famous go to vacation

With some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado, Aspen has is home of the Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort and close to places such as White River National Forest which includes Maroon Bells.

Aspen altitude can increase drastically if you're heading outdoors or skiing. Aspen Mountain, also called Aspen Mountain Ski Resort, climbs to 11,212 ft (3,417 m) feet in elevation at the summit.

  • Aspen Mountain altitude - 7,945 to 11,212 feet (2421 to 3,417 m)

If coming from sea level, you'll want to be well prepared for the heights of Aspen altitude.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness In Aspen?

Aspen is known for its stunning views, but it’s also a hub for many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking and rock climbing. If you’re planning an outdoor excursion in the area, you might be wondering if you will get altitude sickness. After all, the city sits at 7,908 feet above sea level.

So can you get altitude sickness in Aspen? Yes. It is high enough to cause altitude sickness in many visitors.

Aspen Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness occurs when someone travels to an area with high elevation, which has lower oxygen levels, without giving their bodies enough time to acclimate.

The condition is also referred to as acute mountain sickness (AMS) by those who live in high-altitude areas like Aspen. Symptoms often occur within 6-72 hours of reaching Aspen.

Aspen altitude sickness symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling malaise
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Difficulty breathing 

With a destination as beautiful as Aspen, it's best to be well equipped on how to avoid Aspen altitude sickness than to suffer during your trip. With years of research and being a local Colorado based company, we'll share our best tips below.

3 Tips To Avoid Aspen Altitude Sickness

Aspen's altitude commonly causes altitude sickness in visitors.

At 7,908 feet (2,438 m) high, you ascend much higher than Denver. And significantly higher for visitors from sea level.

We'll share our best, and most researched tips to avoid Aspen altitude sickness.

Here are 3 Tips For Avoiding Aspen Altitude Sickness:

1. Drink Lots Of Water

You should be drinking at least a gallon of water (or half your body weight in ounces) per day. In Aspen, you're going to want more than that because you're going to be losing fluids much faster than usual due to the thinner air and dry climate. Drinking water will help you avoid altitude sickness as it keeps your body hydrated. 

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of altitude sickness so it's important that you stay hydrated. Be cautious about drinking alcohol and coffee the first few days as they can both be dehydrating.

To amplify your hydration, add Zaca's hydration packets to your daily regime to maximize water and electrolytes absorption.

2. Take It Easy And Acclimate

When you first arrive in Aspen, don't try to overdo it. If you're used to living at sea level, your body isn't going to be used to the thinner air that exists at this altitude. Allow your body some time to acclimate before you start hiking, skiing or doing any extra physical activities. Acclimating can take anywhere from a day or two up to a week depending on the person.

It's also best if you spend at least a day or two at lower altitudes before going all the way up to Aspen, or else you'll definitely get some symptoms. You can start by staying in Denver then moving up gradually as your body adjusts.

3. Take A Remedy For Altitude Sickness

Take a remedy for altitude sickness before you even leave for your trip or as soon as you get to your destination. Altitude sickness prevention is the best bet, and certain remedies and ingredients exist that are shown to help with altitude adjustment.

In our research, we've found these two ingredients proven to help or even prevent altitude sickness:

  • Glutathione - Glutathione is an amino acid that is able to fight free radicals and help replenish the antioxidants in the body. High altitude conditions can lower your glutathione levels², therefore glutathione can be supplemented to help fight damage caused by high altitude.¹
  • Dihydromyricetin - A study, published in 2014, showed that Dihydromyricetin improved high altitude performance.² For a body boost during your Aspen trip, take Dihydromyricetin before and throughout your trip.

These two remedy ingredients, Glutathione and Dihydromyricetin are a safe bet to use during you stay to avoid Aspen altitude sickness.

This concludes our researched list of tips to avoid Aspen altitude sickness — including drinking lots of water, taking it easy and acclimating, and taking an altitude remedy or supplement.

Colorado's Favorite Altitude Supplement

Remedy For Altitude Sickness
Zaca chewables are a natural herbal supplement designed to help support your body at high altitudes. Popularized first in Colorado, these tablets are easy to take on-the-go and delicious tasting. Containing natural ingredients and herbs including both Glutathione and Dihydromyricetin, you can rehydrate, replenish, and recover. Try Zaca chewable tablets today and feel better faster on your mountain trip!












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. Aspen Colorado Altitude
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen,_Colorado
3. Aspen Mountain Ski Area Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen_Mountain_(ski_area)