I'm going on a ski trip and really worried about altitude sickness...?

Question

I get really sick on air planes...extremely nauseous, bad headache...it usually takes a day to get over this. Then going to Steamboat Springs on top of that...I'm not sure how much my body will be able to handle. Anyone every used the medication for altitude sickness or think I will even have a problem?

Steamboat is at 6,700 ft and I've heard that people don't usually have a problem unless they go over 10,000 ft. But I also live at an elevation of 500 ft...

Answer 1

nah you shouldnt have a problem. i went to ski in really high altitude like in the alps and in chili even when i was younger and never had a problem. its worst than you imagine . dont even worry about it your ears might block thats the worst that can happen.  its not high enough for your nose to start bleeding and stuff like that. have fun!

Answer 2

Hi Kirstie,

If you get sick on airplanes, this doesn't have much to do with the altitude, as the cabins are pressurised. I expect it may be more a question of nerves and excitement, or general travel sickness.

Altitude sickness especially effects young children and babies (It is not recommended to take babies under 2 years to resorts over 4500ft) and the elderly, and in most cases results in difficulty sleeping at night; extreme cases can involve headaches and vomiting.  However most reasonably fit adults would not be effected by a stay at 6700ft other than a slight breathlessness after lengthy exercise.

Answer 3

Don't worry about it too much or you'll work yourself into a state where you think you have something you don't.

Airplanes are a lot higher than mountains and 6,700 feet is nothing. I am not in terribly good shape and ski often. The most I get is out of breath as you would expect for any physical exertion.

Actually, I get more winded carrying my skis to and from the car than I do skiing.

Answer 4

You shouldn't get altitude sickness at 6700 ft. Normally this only kicks in at 10000 plus.

However, I've found that drinking plenty of water and taking a couple of aspirin every day helps.

Your problem in planes could have something to do with the foul air that gets recycled into the cabins these days.

Answer 5

Altitude sickness can set in as low as 6000 feet. I have seen it happen.

You're illness from flying is most likely motion sickness. This has nothing to do with altitude sickness, but it can make the effects of altitude sickness worse once that kicks in.

Acclimatization is the only real cure for altitude sickness. Your body needs to adjust to the lower amounts of oxygen in the air as well as the air pressure at higher altitudes.

If you still feel nauseous and have a headache hours after getting of the plane, you may have some altitude sickness...or you may be dehydrated. The symptoms are very similar. Drink water. 1 cup of water every 15 minutes...don't chug a whole quart in one shot, this won't let your body absorb the fluids. After 2 hours, if you are still feeling sick, then the only real thing to do is to descend to a lower elevation. If you are at the base level of Steamboat, there's no place you can go except to leave the state. That sucks, so you'll just have to nurse it for a few more hours and keep drinking water until your body gets used to the altitude.

If you have time before your trip, hit the treadmill or do some running. It will help enlarge your lungs, so you will be able to take in more O2, but it does take a while for your lungs to expand, so if your trip is this week, it won't make a big difference.