Breckenridge Real Estate Blog

Plan a visit to Summit County, Colorado to see the gorgeous Breckenridge real estate that’s all blooming right now.  If you travel from lower elevations, however, we suggest important precautionary measures to ensure a comfortable stay.  Our Breckenridge homes lie at about 9,602 feet, Copper Mountain real estate at 9,720, Frisco at 9,042, Keystone CO real estate at 9,166, and Silverthorne at 8,751.  At elevations above 8,000 feet, about 20-30 percent of visitors from low altitudes are affected by high-altitude sickness that can turn the best of vacations into a bad memory.

If you stay in rental real estate in Breckenridge or you campout, the precautions are similar:  dramatically increate fluid intake, decrease salt intake, moderate physical activity, eat high-carbohydrate, low-fat meals, and reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.  To prevent sunburn use a good sunscreen and wear sun glasses or goggles.  As weather can dramatically change, bring extra clothes, properly fitting boots, and gloves.
Where atmospheric pressure decreases, the air is thinner and less oxygen is available.  The mountains are colder and drier and the ultraviolet rays are stronger.  Although various factors are players in how each person will respond—genetics, how quickly you ascend in elevation, your physical condition—the rules are the same when symptoms of hypoxic distress occur.

Do not ignore the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) if they happen to find you.  Symptoms vary from mild to severe and usually start with a headache followed by another symptom or two such as loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, fatigue or weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, and a cough, congestion, or difficulty with thought processes.

Symptoms only get worse if travelers ignore them and if they get worse we do have several medical clinics ready to help out.  Some people ask their doctors for Diamox to ease into the trip ahead of time.  A rare condition known as high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) similar to pneumonia can occur especially during the cold winter months when more alcohol is consumed and requires emergency health care.  Men are more prone to this condition.  If you have a history of any heart, circulatory, or lung problems, be sure to check with your doctor before making the trek.

One thing that does help is if you fly into the Mile High City of Denver and get used to that altitude for a few days before coming into the mountains.  While you are in Denver, find ways to engage in light activities.  Then, when you arrive here, relax and look at some real estate while you are getting used to the unique splendor of our habitat.   Call Rick Allemang at (970) 547-1002 to ask about vacation properties that will be just right for your family and budget.