As a popular tourist destination in Idaho, the high altitude of Sun Valley can cause altitude sickness, a common problem for visitors. As a high-altitude based company, we'll share with you everything you need to know about Sun Valley altitude and our top steps to avoid Sun Valley altitude sickness.
Sun Valley altitude sits at 5,945 feet above sea level. The town is named after the Sun Valley Resort, which was built in 1936 and is considered the first destination ski resort in the United States, which also includes the sister town next door Ketchum.
The highest point in Sun Valley is Bald Mountain, which has an elevation of 9,150 feet (2,789 meters) above sea level. The second ski resort in Sun Valley, and lower one, is Dollar Mountain at 6,638 feet.
Tourist and adventurers can also explore high-altitude destinations drivable from Sun Valley including Craters of the Moon National Monument, Sawtooth Mountains, and Yellowstone National Park.
In the winter, Sun Valley is known for its world-class skiing. Sun Valley is a popular destination for many other outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and golfing. Overall, Sun Valley is a beautiful and exciting destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a luxurious vacation experience.
Sun Valley Ski Resort base elevation sits at 5,750 feet above sea level. The peak elevation at the summit goes to 9,150 feet high.
Yes, Sun Valley is considered high altitude.
Mountain Medicine stipulates high altitude to begin at 4,900 feet.⁶ Sun Valley ID, at 5,945 feet, well exceeds this height.
Is Idaho considered high altitude?
Yes, the state of Idaho is considered high altitude. Idaho is the 6th highest state in America, and has a mean elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level.⁷
Sun Valley ID elevation is over twice the height than Boise elevation.
Boise altitude sits at 2,730 feet while Sun Valley altitude sits at 5,945 feet, which is significantly higher.
Yes, you can get altitude sickness in Sun Valley Idaho.
Scott Gallagher, MD writes that altitude illness ca start around 5,000 feet.⁸ By comparison, Denver has an estimated 10% of visitors feeling altitude sickness, yet sits at 5280 feet which is lower than Sun Valley.⁹
Furthermore, if you're hiking or skiing, elevations can get as high at 9,150 feet which can cause much more severe symptoms of altitude sickness.
Sun Valley altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, is caused by a lack of oxygen at high altitudes.
As you climb higher, the air pressure decreases, which can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the air. Your body may not be able to adjust to this decrease in oxygen, while combating oxidative and physiological stress leading to altitude sickness.
Sun Valley Altitude Sickness can cause a range of symptoms, including:
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can occur within a few hours to day of arriving at high altitude. To avoid the altitude sickness from ruining your Sun Valley trip, you should be well prepared.
If you're planning a trip to Sun Valley in Idaho, it's best to be prepared for the elevation changes as altitude sickness can put you on your back.
Being based in high altitudes of Colorado, we'll share with you our top 5 steps so you can be better prepared on your trip.
Here are 6 steps to help you avoid Sun Valley altitude sickness:
In conclusion, you should follow these top researched steps to avoid Sun Valley altitude sickness — which includes drinking plenty of water, avoiding strenuous activities, maximizing your sleep, gradually acclimatizing, limiting alcohol consumption, and supplementing antioxidants.
SOURCES:
1. Sun Valley Idaho Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Valley,_Idaho
2. Bald Mountain Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_Mountain_(Idaho)
3. Dollar Mountain Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_Mountain
4. Ketchum Idaho Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketchum,_Idaho
5. Sun Valley Elevation
https://sunvalleyidaho.gov/about
6. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
7. State Elevation Mean - Idaho Elevation
https://www.netstate.com/states/tables/state_elevation_mean.htm
8. Patient education: High-altitude illness (including mountain sickness)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-altitude-illness-including-mountain-sickness-beyond-the-basics
9. Don’t let altitude sickness ruin your trip to Colorado
https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/23/altitude-sickness-tips-colorado/
10. 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/
11. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
12. Effects of Alcohol
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
13. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
14. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
15. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
