Imagine this: You’ve just flown in from your beachside home, ski boots in hand, ready to start your annual ski vacation. Stepping off the plane at Salt Lake City International Airport you see the incredible rock walls of the Wasatch range looming 5,000 vertical feet overhead. You quickly grab your rental car, check for the UDOT Cottonwood Canyon sticker, and take off for the mountains. 35 minutes later, you are loading the Crest6 Chairlift at Brighton. After a few hours of powder laps and night skiing, you unwind at Molly Greens, clinking glasses to celebrate your first day back in the mountains. But as morning arrives, so does a splitting headache, nausea, and a groggy, hungover feeling—one you swear is too intense to be from last night’s single drink. Could it be the altitude?
This scenario is all too common for visitors to Utah’s high-altitude ski resorts, and understanding the symptoms of altitude sickness can help you navigate a safe and enjoyable mountain experience. We sat down with Dr. Paisley, a sports medicine physician with University of Utah Health and head team physician for the U.S. Ski Mountaineering Team, to explore how to recognize, prevent, and manage altitude sickness to make the most of your trip to Utah.
Recognizing Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), can sneak up quickly, especially in those unaccustomed to higher elevations. As Dr. Paisley explains, “Altitude sickness is essentially a ‘headache plus’—typically a headache with fatigue, malaise, and sometimes stomach discomfort.”
Dr. Paisley notes that altitude sickness occurs most commonly between 8,000 and 11,000 feet, affecting roughly 20% of those who travel from sea level and sleep at elevations between 6,500-8,000 feet. If symptoms appear within 2 to 12 hours of arriving, you’re likely dealing with AMS rather than a simple hangover. While many symptoms improve naturally after a couple of days as the body acclimatizes, some people may experience more severe forms of altitude illness, including:
AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness): Typically mild and temporary, AMS symptoms include headache, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness.
HAPE (High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema): Another rare but severe form of altitude sickness involving fluid in the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath at rest, elevated heart rate at rest, and coughing. This condition requires immediate descent to a lower altitude.
HACE (High-Altitude Cerebral Edema): A rare but life-threatening condition involving fluid accumulation in the brain. Symptoms include severe headache, confusion, stumbling, and neurologic changes. If these occur, seek medical help immediately.
As Dr. Paisley emphasizes, “No matter what, if you have one thing to do, decrease altitude.” In Utah, we have the benefit of being able to quickly and easily decrease elevation by driving down to Salt Lake City where the elevation sits at a modest 4,265ft. It is likely that most people experiencing AMS symptoms will have a resolution of symptoms shortly after returning to the elevation of the valley floor.
Adults aren’t the only people who may experience AMS on their ski vacations. Children might experience AMS differently and could struggle to articulate their symptoms. Dr. Paisley suggests looking for signs like unusual fatigue, lack of engagement, or difficulty completing a day in ski school. For any uncertainties, especially in children, it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice.
How to Prevent Acute Mountain Sickness
Preventing altitude sickness can be challenging when coming from sea level, but a few simple steps can make a big difference. One of the best ways to ease into your ski vacation is to spend the first 1-2 days acclimating to the altitude by staying overnight in Salt Lake City. If you’re particularly sensitive to high altitudes, consider spending a day or two exploring the city before heading up to higher elevations.
Staying well-hydrated is another essential—and accessible—preventive measure. After a dehydrating plane ride with its low humidity, drink plenty of water. Dr. Paisley advises, “Hydrate more than you think,” as dehydration can significantly worsen symptoms of AMS.
For those prone to altitude sickness, a common preventive medication is Diamox (Acetazolamide). Available by prescription, this medication can help reduce the symptoms of AMS for most people when taken before traveling to altitude. Dr. Paisley recommends Diamox as a preventive measure, especially if you’ve experienced AMS during previous visits to high altitudes. Talk to your doctor to see if medical management is appropriate for you.
There are a few common myths about altitude sickness that are important to debunk.
Myth #1: Fitness protects you from AMS. Regardless of your fitness level, coming up from sea level still puts you at risk for altitude sickness. The best way to minimize this risk is to ascend gradually, and if you start feeling symptoms, the most effective remedy is to lower your altitude.
Myth #2: Only high altitudes (above 10,000 feet) cause altitude sickness. While higher elevations do increase risk, AMS symptoms can begin as low as 6,000 feet for some people, especially if they ascend quickly or are particularly sensitive to altitude changes. Taking precautions even at moderate altitudes can help ease the transition.
Myth #3: Supplemental oxygen will help you acclimate faster. Though the use of supplemental oxygen will help you feel better in the very short term the effects last less than one minute after you take the mask off. The best way to get increased oxygen exposure while visiting Utah’s ski resorts is to go down in elevation and spend an afternoon/evening in Salt Lake City to help your body acclimate to the reduced oxygen availability up high.
Myth #4: Hypoxic tents will help you acclimate. While hypoxic tents are sometimes touted as a way to prepare for high altitude, evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Some studies suggest that using these tents for up to 14 nights may show a slight benefit, but it’s often not statistically significant—and for most recreational skiers and riders, this method is both costly and impractical.
Treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness
Treatment for AMS mirrors preventive measures. The best thing you can do is decrease elevation. Allowing your body time to acclimate is essential. “It’s amazing how much better you can feel with a drive down the canyon,” says Dr. Paisley. Descending by even a few thousand feet can alleviate symptoms almost immediately.
For mild symptoms, taking it slow for the first few days and focusing on rest and hydration can help the body adapt. However, any signs of confusion, severe shortness of breath, or chest pain warrant an immediate descent and medical evaluation.
Contributors to This Blog
This blog was developed with insights from Dr. Ted Paisley of University of Utah Health, who has lived in Utah for over 25 years and has been a physician at Snowbird University of Utah Health for the past 20 years. Dr. Paisley will serve as the team physician for the U.S. Ski Mountaineering Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina Italy. Special thanks also to Dr. David Hewson for his valuable pre-interview references.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. If you experience any severe symptoms at altitude, seek medical attention promptly.
Altitude sickness can put a damper on an otherwise exciting ski trip, but with these tips, you can recognize, prevent, and manage symptoms effectively, ensuring a safer experience in Utah’s stunning mountain terrain.
This story was produced in partnership with University of Utah Health
References:
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Luks AM, Beidleman BA, Freer L, et al. Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Acute Altitude Illness: 2024 Update. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. 2024;35(1_suppl):2S-19S. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2023.05.013
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Bärtsch P, Swenson ER. Clinical practice: Acute high-altitude illnesses. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jun 13;368(24):2294-302. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1214870. PMID: 23758234.
