Want to try skiing but must avoid Altitude sickness
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Anonymous
PS - I took altitude sickness meds before Peru and felt I had altitude sickness anyway plus side effects from the meds. |
Anonymous
| Just buy lots of compressed oxygen and use it liberally |
Anonymous
Stowe just got about 2 feet of snow and is 95% open... |
Anonymous
There's no reason to believe that you would actually have any issues with altitude sickness. Most people experience little more than mild AMS, which isn't a big deal. Most important is sleeping at lower altititude. Resorts in Utah, where you can stay in SLC or Ogden would be fine. Pacific Northwest also has relatively low base elevations. |
Anonymous
No. It's the base elevation that matters, which is 2000 feet St Whistler. |
Anonymous
This is definitely the exception, not the norm. While you can experience altitude sickness as low as 6500 feet (Deer valley base is at 6570ft). it is definitely not typical. Most people don't have issues until 8 or 10k. The elevation at which you are sleeping matters a lot more because if the peak is a higher elevation you aren't really spending much time there. People tend to have more issue in CO, places like Breck, because the base is at 10K. |
Anonymous
What side effects from the meds? |
Anonymous
This was circa 2004, so maybe the meds have improved since then. One thing I recall was sensitivity to light - like at dinner I would be like - I can't have this candle at our table. And also - with the altitude sickness eating dinner was practically a workout and I was so tired after it! BUT after 3-4 days I was ok and we hiked the Inca trail for 4 days and totally loved it. But those first 3-4 days were a real doozy. Two of us in the group were altitude sick - one wasn't. We were so tired and sloths. We like so slowly did Cusco in those days - everything was such a huge effort. I think we would sit on benches for hours to rest, haha. |
Anonymous
| I think I took Diamox - it's prob the same med today? |
Anonymous
mild altitude sickness is still pretty miserable. I get it every time. |
Anonymous
This is my brother in CO’s suggestion. Also fly in the day before and stay in Denver to let your body acclimate. |
Anonymous
| If you've never skied before, I recommend just waiting until next year and heading to the mountains of NH. No altitude issues and good for beginners. |
Anonymous
No way. It’s not low altitude. Also why would you shell out for such an expensive place as a beginner? Also the snow there is not as good / reliable as the Rockies. Saying this as someone who grew up in Vancouver, skiing at the local mountains and Whistler, then spent 2 winters living in Utah. |
Anonymous
Again, it's base elevation that matters and Whistler's base is at low elevation. Saying this as someone who has actually read the literature on AMS. |
Anonymous
Acclimation doesn't happen in a day. Actual acclimation takes 2 weeks. Those little oxygen takes provide zero benefit and are a total waste of money. |