Aspen Nightlife and the Altitude

There is more to do in Aspen than ski! The

Aspen nightlife is like nothing you will

experience elsewhere. The warmth and

camaraderie of all of the skiers, from all of the

different lodges is quite special, and remarkable.

You will have a good time in Aspen, no matter

what you choose to do, but there is one thing

that you should be very aware of before you

start your party – the altitude.

Aspen sits about 8000 feet above sea level.

Unless you live in a high altitude area, you will

need to adjust to this altitude. You may find

yourself feeling dizzy or light headed, and you

may even find it a bit difficult to breath. Altitude

Sickness is a serious problem, and if your

symptoms become extreme, you should seek

medical attention.

If you will be drinking, you need to know that the

altitude will have a large impact on the way your

body handles the alcohol. Many people who are

not used to such a high altitude find that they

become drunker on much less alcohol, in a very

short period of time. It is best that you avoid

drinking alcohol at all until you have adjusted

to the altitude.

It is also important to recognize the signs of

both Altitude sickness and Acute Mountain

Sickness (AMS). Altitude sickness can be

recognized by hyperventilation, shortness of

breath during exertion, increased urination,

changed breathing patterns at night, strange

dreams, and frequently waking from sleep

during the night. Acute Mountain Sickness, on

the other hand, is recognized by loss of appetite,

nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness,

dizziness, light-headedness, difficulty sleeping,

confusion, and a staggering gait.

As you can see, the symptoms of both Altitude

Sickness and Acute Mountain Sickness

somewhat resemble the symptoms of drinking

too much alcohol. The only way to rule out being

drunk is to not drink for at least 48 hours after

your arrival in the higher altitude. You should

also seek medical attention if your symptoms

last more than 48 hours, or if you show signs

of Acute Mountain Sickness. AMS can be

deadly if it is not treated.

Health care professionals suggest that you

avoid drinking alcohol because the effects are

magnified at a high altitude. Avoid strenuous

activity for the first couple of days after arriving

at the higher altitude. Drink extra fluid and visit

a doctor if you have symptoms of AMS

immediately for treatment.