5 Tips To Prevent Telluride Altitude Sickness

Telluride Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a pretty common thing for people to experience when they go to high altitudes. Therefore, it’s also a big problem for visitors to Telluride, Colorado.

If you are planning a trip to Telluride, then it’s important that you take steps to prevent altitude sickness from ruining your experience.

Being based in Colorado, we know this subject matter well! We'll share with you about Telluride altitude sickness, symptoms of altitude sickness, and our five tips to prevent Telluride altitude sickness so you can spend time enjoy exploring this mountain town without worry.

Telluride Altitude

Telluride altitude sits at 8,750 feet above sea level.

  • Telluride altitude - 8,750 ft (2,667 m)

Telluride, Colorado is a town located in the southwestern part of the state, situated in the Rocky Mountains with surrounded by towering peaks, including some that reach over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters).

The Telluride Ski Resort is a popular winter and summer destination for both skiers and bikers alike that has a top elevation of 13,150 feet.

  • Telluride Ski Resort summit altitude - 13,150 ft (4,010 m)

With the high elevation of Telluride, you'll want to be well prepared on your trip.
 

What Is Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air at high altitudes. This causes symptoms such as a headache, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping.

It happens most often when people who are not used to high altitudes go quickly from lower altitudes to 8000 ft (2438 m) or higher. For example, you may get a headache when you drive over a high mountain pass, hike to a high altitude, or arrive at a mountain resort like Telluride.

Telluride Altitude Sickness

Telluride is at an altitude of 8420 ft, which makes it is one of the higher cities in North America. Whether you’re a local or visitor, if you don’t properly acclimate to the altitude, you can get altitude sickness caused by hypoxia. 

Whether you’re a local or visitor, if you don’t properly acclimate to the altitude, you can get altitude sickness caused by hypoxia. It’s not uncommon for visitors to come for a long weekend and then shortly after start having high altitude headaches, feeling really sick or even dizzy.

Telluride is just the beginning, because it is surrounded by 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks such as Wilson Peak, El Diente Peak, and Mount Wilson. If you plan to ski, hike, climb or explore into the mountains beyond the town of Telluride, your risk of altitude sickness goes up even more.
 

Noticing The Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

Symptoms of altitude sickness can take 6-24 hours to feel. It takes at least a couple days for the body to adjust to higher altitudes, so it’s important to take it easy when you arrive in Telluride.

The major symptoms of altitude sickness to look out for are:

  • headache
  • fatigue
  • insomnia
  • nausea
  • lack of appetite
  • dizziness
  • confusion
  • shortness of breath
  • coughing
  • gastrointestinal upset
  • swelling in your legs or face

If you feel any of these altitude sickness symptoms, you should immediately follow some of the tips below. If they worsen, you'll to seek medical attention.

5 Tips To Prevent Telluride Altitude Sickness

A lot of people that visit Telluride do not realize that they might get altitude sickness. This happens because the body needs time to adjust to a higher elevation with the lower levels of oxygen.

If you are planning to visit and want to avoidTelluride altitude sickness or want to know how to prevent altitude sickness naturally, follow our tips below.

Here's Our 5 Tips To Prevent Telluride Altitude Sickness:

1. Get Acclimated

The higher you go, the thinner the air, so it's important to give your body time to adjust to the elevation. If you're flying into Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) which is at an elevation of 5759 feet, or into Denver which is at an elevation of 5280 feet, take a day or two in the area before heading up to Telluride. By ascending slower into the high altitude, this will give your body time to adapt to the altitude conditions in Colorado.

2. Stay Hydrated

Drink water before your trip, during your flight or drive up to Telluride, and while you are there. Dehydration can lead to altitude sickness. This will help keep your body acclimated and lessen the effects of the altitude change.

Adding electrolytes, sea salt, or a hydration product can help enhance your hydration.

3. Take It Easy On Arrival Day

It's important not to overexert yourself on arrival day in Telluride. Avoid hiking strenuous trails or going on long bike excursions until you've acclimated a bit. Just take it easy on yourself for the first day to couple of days that you're in Telluride and you'll acclimate to the altitude better than if you decide to go all out right away!

4. Avoid Alcohol Initially

Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours upon arrival. A hangover combined with altitude sickness is a dreadful experience. It's tempting to celebrate your arrival with an adult beverage, but avoid it until your body has a chance to adjust. Alcohol dehydrates, so it will make you more susceptible to altitude sickness. Wait until after dinner on day one, or better yet, day two of your visit.

5. Supplement Glutathione

A study found that when people are exposed to high altitudes, their levels of glutathione decreased, up to as high as 45%.¹

Glutathione is one of the body's most powerful antioxidants and plays an important role in our ability to adapt to changes in altitude. Since your levels are lower at higher altitudes, supplementing glutathione can help you adapt faster while also giving you more energy during your trip. Altitude adjustment pills are a great solution, our hydration chewables are loaded with Glutathione.


Our Secret Weapon For Altitude

Telluride Altitude Adjustment Pills

Based in Colorado, we create and sell our recovery chewables throughout stores in the state, from Denver to mountains towns like Telluride, Vail and Aspen. Loaded with Glutathione and other antioxidants, herbs and amino acids -- Zaca's chewable supplement helps you feel better faster with rehydration, replenishment and recovery. Try our recovery chewables today!







 

 SOURCES:

1. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/ 
2. Telluride Colorado Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telluride,_Colorado
3. Telluride Ski Resort Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telluride_Ski_Resort