3 Tips To Avoid Crested Butte Altitude Sickness

Crested Butte Altitude Sickness

Have you ever wondered what to do about Crested Butte altitude sickness when you visit? You're not alone. Thousands of people flock to Crested Butte each year, so avoiding altitude sickness is a major concern in town. We'll review your altitude sickness risks and the best way to avoid getting altitude sickness when you're traveling, hiking or skiing in the vicinity of Crested Butte.

Crested Butte Altitude

Crested Butte sits at an elevation of 8,909 feet above sea level. This is considered one of highest ski towns in Colorado.

Crested Butte Altitude:

  • Crested Butte altitude - 8,909 ft (2,715 m)

With these elevations, preparation is a must when traveling to Crested Butte.
 

Crested Butte Altitude Sickness

If you have ever been to Crested Butte, Colorado and experienced altitude sickness then you know how serious a health problem it can be. The elevation in Crested Butte is around 8,909 feet and 12,168-foot feet peaks in the Gunnison National Forest of the Rocky Mountains.

At these elevations there's a lack of oxygen that comes with lower air pressure, which can can lead to altitude sickness.

Crested Butte altitude sickness symptoms may include:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Insomnia or sleeping issues
  • Trouble breathing
  • Feeling ill

The views are stunning and there's plenty to do like skiing, hiking, and biking. However, if you've never gone above about 8,000 feet, best be prepared for altitude sickness. Our company knows first-hand, as we sell our hydration packets throughout Colorado.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness In Crested Butte?

Yes. If you're planning a trip to Crested Butte, let this be a cautionary tale. Many get altitude sickness which ruin their vacations and visits.

Mountain air is thinner and oxygen levels are lower than at lower elevations. Crested Butte altitude sickness is definitely a bummer, whether you're a weekend warrior or skiing the mountains. With the air thinner and harder to breathe, and although everyone experiences altitude sickness differently, there are some major symptoms including: extreme fatigue, headaches, difficulty breathing, sleep difficulty, dizziness, and nausea. 

3 Tips To Avoid Crested Butte Altitude Sickness

The Crested Butte area is known for its challenging terrain and awesome skiing, but it's also known for the high altitude and low oxygen levels. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare for your trip so that you can avoid sickness and enjoy your time in the mountains.

Here are three things you can do to avoid altitude sickness:

1. Hydrate Well

Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do to prevent altitude sickness. Be sure to drink plenty of water leading up to your trip and for several days once you arrive in Crested Butte. In addition, be sure that when you do drink alcohol that either avoid it the first days or drink lightly, as alcohol is dehydrating.

Drinking water helps your body acclimate more quickly once you arrive. If you're planning on hiking or other outdoor activities, take along at least one bottle of water for every hour you'll be out on the trail.

To boost your hydration, use our Zaca chewable hydration tablets to enhance water and electrolyte absorption in your body.

2. Acclimate And Take It Easy

If you're going to Crested Butte from sea level, you'll probably want to spend a night in Gunnison (elevation 7,703 feet) or even Denver (elevation 5,280 feet) before coming up to the mountain. That gives the body some time to acclimate.

When you arrive in Crested Butte, don't try to hit the slopes right away or do anything too physical. Take a walk around town or sit by the fire and read a book for your first few hours or days until you are confident you're not feeling any altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, breathing issues or fatigue.

3. Take Supplements For Altitude Sickness

Whether using herbs for altitude adjustment or canned oxygen for altitude sickness, supplements for altitude sickness can make your Crested Butte trip a lot more enjoyable. It can help fight the physiological effects from high altitudes so you can feel better.

We have found research proving two natural ingredients helping altitude sickness. Here are those two ingredients:

  • Glutathione - This amino acid is a key component of the antioxidant network in the body, which can decrease in levels at high altitudes. To help replenish those levels and fight free radical damage caused by high altitude, consider supplementing glutathione.
  • Dihydromyricetin - A study published online in 2014 showed that Dihydromyricetin improves high altitude performance and exercise.² To give your body a boost against altitude stress during your Crested Butte trip, take Dihydromyricetin before and during your stay.
Supplements For Altitude Sickness Crested Butte
Zaca helps your body deal with altitude stresses in a convenient, chewable tablet. Zaca tablets are easy to carry in hydration packets that you can eat on-the-go, no need to prepare in advance. Each chewable contains Glutathione and Dihydromyricetin that have been scientifically shown to work for high altitudes, in addition to the formula to help you rehydrate, replenish and recover. Try Zaca chewable tablets today and feel better on your high 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. Crested Butte Colorado Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_Butte,_Colorado
4. Crested Butte Gunnison County Altitude
https://www.crestedbutte-co.gov/community