Avoiding Altitude Sickness in Breckenridge

If you're planning on taking a vacation in Breckenridge for skiing or just to enjoy the town and atmosphere, you're going to love it. But before you go, you want to make sure you're aware of some of the dangers you may face, and the tips to avoid them.

• Flying into Denver? Make it a two-city vacation: Like most people spending a vacation in Breckenridge, you will be flying into Denver. Before you trek off to Breckenridge, though, take advantage of being in one of the most beautiful cities in the country - Denver, Colorado. Imagine looking in one direction and seeing downtown with businesses, restaurants, a massive performing arts complex, and all the attractions found in a major city, but then looking in the opposite direction and being able to see the sun setting over white-tipped Rocky Mountains. Very few places can offer that. Another thing Denver has to offer is beer, and I don't mean the same bars and liquor stores found all over the country. Denver brews more beer than any other city in the United States. If you like going out with your friends and having a few beers, why not get it from the same place it's made? And while you're out with your friends, you can catch a ballgame because Denver is home to the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, and Avalanche. Sports, beer, and amazing views. Suddenly Denver is sounding like more fun than just the place you pass through before driving to Breckenridge.

• You're not in the Daytona 500; slow down: Speaking of driving, you need to be aware of some safety concerns before you hit the road. Remember that you are driving a rental car, not a tank, and that driving in the snow is not as easy as you think. Before you get on the road, make sure you have a few basic supplies, such as a shovel, an ice scraper and a bag of either kitty litter or sand. If you get stuck, you don't want to press on the gas; that will just dig you in deeper. Take the shovel and dig out the snow around the tire, then use the sand or kitty litter for traction. If there's ice on the road, watch your speed and leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you.

• Be mindful of the thin air: When you get up to Breckenridge, you need to be aware of the possibility of altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is when you are at a high altitude and your body has trouble functioning with less oxygen. Staying in Denver for a day or two should help you get acclimated to the thin air much easier, but it won't make you a mountain climber. You need to be aware of the dangers of altitude sickness and some of its symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue and sleeplessness. Altitude sickness feels similar to having a hangover, so if you visited Denver's breweries, you should be familiar with the feeling. You can take Tylenol for the headache, or get Diamox from the local pharmacy to help with altitude sickness. Breckenridge takes care of its visitors from sea level with an oxygen bar, where you can fill your lungs with oxygen-rich air and feel immediately rejuvenated. You should also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine until you're better acclimated to the conditions.

• Let's eat! Breckenridge has many restaurants from inexpensive happy hour hang outs to high end fine dining establishments. However, if you want to cook for yourself from the kitchen of your Breckenridge lodging, you need to be aware that cooking at high altitude is not the same as cooking at sea level. You need to use higher heats and more liquids when cooking or you will end up with dry and possibly rock-hard food. And set aside more time than usual because it takes longer for food to cook at high elevations.

A Breckenridge vacation can be the time of your life, but take a few basic precautions to stay safe and comfortable. Remember that all vacations require some planning, and the same goes for Breckenridge. But follow these tips, and you're sure to have a great time.