Updated April 25, 2025
Snowfall numbers are cool. Promo videos with face shots and deep turns are cool. But you know what actually matters? Base altitude.
Nobody told me this the first time I booked a “dream trip” to Breckenridge. I landed in Denver, drove straight up the hill, and tried to ride the next morning — at nearly 10,000 feet.
It felt like someone had swapped my lungs for wet paper bags. I made it about three runs before I was dry-heaving behind a lift shack wondering if I’d developed asthma overnight.
📝 TL;DR
Before you book a US snow trip, check the base altitude—not just the snowfall. Riding at 10,000 feet hits different if you live at sea level. Learned that the hard way.
Altitude Wrecks You (if you’re not ready for it)
It’s not a fitness thing (did I mention I do CrossFit?).
It’s not a hydration thing (although chugging water helps).
It’s physics. Less oxygen = less fun, especially if you live near sea level and try to go hero mode on day one.
Now? Before I book anything in the US, I check the base elevation.
Jackson Hole? Pretty high, but manageable.
Breck? Brutal if you’re not acclimated.
Big Sky? Cold, but the base is reasonable.
Utah? Lower bases, faster recovery.
It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. It just means you should plan better than I did.
A day at a lower-altitude resort first, or even a chill day in Denver? Worth it.
Trust me. Your lungs will thank you. So will your legs.
⚠️ Altitude Warning Signs (From Someone Who Ignored Them)
- Feeling way more out of breath than normal
- Light headache (especially in the morning)
- Nausea or no appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling a little stupid (yes, really — altitude brain is real)
