Deer Valley Altitude Sickness: Must-Read Guide & 7 Tips To Avoid
As one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Utah, the altitudes of Deer Valley can be a real problem. As a company with years experience in high altitudes, we'll reveal everything you need to know about Deer Valley altitude and the best tips to avoid Deer Valley altitude sickness.
Deer Valley Altitude
Deer Valley altitude sits at a base of 6,570 feet above sea level. The mountain rises to top heights of 9,570 feet.
- Deer Valley altitude - 6,570 ft (2,000 m)
- Deer Valley top altitude - 9,570 ft (2,920 m)
Deer Valley is known for its luxurious amenities, excellent grooming, and wide range of skiing terrain suitable for all skill levels. With 3,000 feet of vertical drop, it was the venue site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Deer Valley is a popular destination for skiers from all over the world, and with some of the best tree skiing in Utah it has been consistently ranked as one of the top ski resorts in North America. In addition to skiing, Deer Valley also offers a variety of other winter activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, and also has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as lodges and luxury hotels for visitors to stay in.
Deer Valley's high-altitude resorts include:
- Montage Deer Valley Resort altitude 8300 ft (2529 m)
- The St Regis Deer Valley altitude 7228 ft (2203m)
- the chateau deer valley altitude 8133 ft (2479 m)
Deer Valley's nearby ski destinations and cities:
- Park City altitude - 7,000 ft (2,100 m)
- Salt Lake altitude - 4,327 ft (1,288 m)
- Alta Ski Area altitude - 8,530 ft (2,600 m)
- Powder Mountain altitude - 6,900 ft (2,103 m)
- Snowbird altitude - 7,760 ft (2,365 m)
Much farther ski resorts include Brian Head ski resort at an altitude of 9,600 feet, which is about 4 hours away from Deer Valley and Park City.
These high altitudes can be a drag on your trip if you're not prepared, whether staying in Deer Valley Park City or nearby Utah destinations.
Is Deer Valley High Altitude?
Yes, both Deer Valley and Park City are considered high altitude.
According to the International Society for Mountain Medicine, high altitude starts at 4,900 feet in altitude.⁸ Deer Valley at 6,570 feet and Park City at 7,000 feet, qualifies both areas as high altitude.
What Is The Highest Peak In Deer Valley?
Empire summit is the highest peak in Deer Valley at 9,570 feet (2,917 m) above sea level.¹⁰ Deer Valley is part of the Wasatch Mountain Range that includes Bald Eagle Mountain, Bald Mountains, Little Baldy Peak, Flagstaff Mountain, and Empire Canyon.
Is Deer Valley higher than Park City?
No, Park City Ski Resort is higher than Deer Valley by a small margin.
Deer Valley is at 6,570 feet and goes up to 9,570 feet on the ski mountain. While Park City Mountain Resort starts at 6,900 feet, but goes up to 10,026 feet.
When considering altitude sickness, there's only a marginal difference.
Can You Get Altitude Sickness In Deer Valley?
Yes, you can get altitude sickness in Deer Valley, which can easily ruin your trip experience.
Experts say that altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, can start at 5,000 feet high.⁹ At 6,570 feet in Deer Valley there's certainly high risk, and even in places like Denver at 5,280 feet many visitors report altitude sickness.
Furthermore, Deer Valley Resort rises to 9,570 ft at the mountain summit. At these heights it's estimated that up to 50% of people can experience altitude sickness.⁹
Should I Worry About Altitude Sickness Skiing Deer Valley?
Yes, you should worry about altitude sickness skiing Deer Valley if you don't properly prepare. Between 6,570 and 9,570 feet high, combined with the intense exercise of skiing, altitude sickness can wipe you out if you're not careful.
Deer Valley Altitude Sickness
Deer Valley is an amazing place to visit and ski, but as a high elevation mountain the altitude sickness hits many visitors.
Deer Valley altitude sickness, also know as acute mountain sickness, is caused by the lower oxygen in the air. In addition, with increased respiration, oxidative stress, and the dry climate — the body can take a toll.
Symptoms can usually develop within 6-24 hours upon arrival, and can include headache, nausea, and fatigue.
Symptoms of Deer Valley altitude sickness may include:
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- dizziness
- fatigue or tiredness
- loss of appetite
- trouble breathing
- insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- feeling ill or malaise
If you're not used to high altitudes or are flying in from sea level, Deer Valley altitude sickness can be a real threat. Take as much preparation as possible and follow our tips below.
7 Tips To Avoid Deer Valley Altitude Sickness
With the high altitude of Deer Valley Utah, a luxury vacation can turn into a terrible experience very quick.
As a Colorado-based company with vast amounts of high-altitude experience, we'll share with you our top tips to avoid Deer Valley altitude sickness.
Here's our 7 top tips to avoid Deer Valley altitude sickness:
1. Don't Overexert Yourself
If you're going to be doing strenuous activity like skiing, it's important not to overexert yourself and take it easy at first.
The higher the altitude as with Deer Valley, the more your body has trouble adapting to the lack of oxygen in the air and too much activity can exacerbate the issue. Take it easy the first few days and take breaks often until you feel free of any signs of altitude sickness.
2. Maximize Hydration
Not only does increased respiration at high altitudes lead to faster fluid loss, it is estimated by the Wilderness Medical Society that you lose water twice as fast at high altitudes.¹¹
To avoid dehydration which can include feelings of fatigue and headaches, drink plenty of water before and during your trip. Drinking half your weight in ounces of water a day is suggested by many, and we'd recommend to increase the amount with increased activity.
3. Gradually Acclimate
If you're traveling from sea level, don't go straight to Deer Valley Park City without stopping at lower elevations. Gradually acclimating can help lessen the impact.
For example, if flying into the Salt Lake Airport, stay a night or two in the city at 4,327 feet before ascending up to Park City. Also, when you get to Deer Valley, take at least a day or two before you ski or hike at higher elevations. This will give your body time to adjust.
4. Consult A Doctor If Needed
If you're concerned or are sensitive to high altitudes, you should consult a doctor for altitude sickness tablets or medication. This is also recommended to see a medical professional if you feel serious symptoms of altitude sickness.
5. Limit Alcohol
Alcohol can dehydrate you, which can make symptoms worse or lead to similar symptoms such as a headache or fatigue. Alcohol is also know to worsen sleep quality and lower blood oxygen saturation.¹²
Limit alcohol until you feel good after at least 24 hours, which will make it easier on your body to adjust.
6. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Sleep is imperative to helping your body recover — and has shown to increase blood flow and oxygen.¹³ This can help your body adjust better, in which high altitudes can do the opposite and cause difficulty sleeping.
Get plenty of sleep, at least 7-9 hours. Maximize natural sunlight outdoors during the day and go to bed in complete darkness, which will help your circadian rhythms.
7. Take Antioxidants
Antioxidants have been shown to be a promising solution,¹⁵ which can help combat oxidative stress that increases in high altitude conditions.¹⁴
One study in India showed glutathione to deplete by 45% from high elevations, which is considered the body's master antioxidant. Take antioxidant supplements to naturally help your glutathione levels and fight free radical damage.¹⁶
To conclude, follow these tips to avoid Deer Valley altitude sickness — including to not overexert yourself, maximize hydration, gradually acclimate, consult a doctor, limit alcohol, get plenty of sleep, and take antioxidants.
Top Recommended Altitude Supplement
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Try Zaca chewable tablets today and take your mountain trip to the next level.
SOURCES:
1. Deer Valley Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_Valley
2. Montage Deer Valley Resort Altitude
https://www.true5stars.com/hotels/montage-deer-valley
3. St Regis Deer Valley Park City Elevation
https://elevation.maplogs.com/poi/the_st_regis_deer_valley_deer_valley_dr_e_park_city_ut_usa.371561.html
4. The Chateaux Deer Valley Park City Elevation
https://elevation.maplogs.com/poi/the_chateaux_deer_valley_royal_st_east_park_city_ut_usa.563840.html
5.Alta Ski Area Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alta_Ski_Area
6. Powder Mountain Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_Mountain
7. Snowbird Utah Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowbird,_Utah
8. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
9. High-altitude illness (including mountain sickness)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-altitude-illness-including-mountain-sickness-beyond-the-basics
10. Deer Valley FAQ And Altitudes
https://www.deervalley.com/about-us/faqs
11. Why Do You Need to Drink a Lot of Water at a High Altitude?
https://www.livestrong.com/article/360485-how-to-train-for-high-altitude-hiking
12. Effects of Alcohol
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
13. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
14. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
15. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
16. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
