High Altitude Tips

Snowbird is approximately 8,100 feet above sea level. These altitudes may cause altitude sickness which is normally manageable with a little rest and a lot of fluids. If you take the appropriate precautions in advance, you will lessen the negative impacts of altitude sickness. 

Symptoms

Symptoms generally associated with mild to moderate altitude illness include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Shortness of breath with exertion

Prevention

The best way to deal with altitude sickness is to avoid it in the first place!

• Arrive in the area well hydrated – for at least a week before arriving drink at least 64ozs (8 cups) of water per day.
• Avoid alcohol and rich food the day that you arrive – many visitors think that they have food poisoning when in fact it is altitude sickness.
• Take it easy the first day that you are at altitude.

Treatment

If you have begun to feel the symptoms, there are still many things you can do to alleviate altitude sickness.

• Drink a lot of hydrating liquids: water, sports drinks such as Gatorade
• Avoid alcohol
• Take it easy and avoid a lot of exertion
• Check your oxygen level if you feel really ill and buy a small bottle of oxygen or have oxygen delivered if your levels are low
• Travel to a lower altitude if symptoms are severe and not improving