Alcohol at Altitude: Does 1 Beer in the Mountains Equal 3 Beers at Sea-Level? While living at an elevation of a mile-high or more for over a decade, I have frequently told my Flatlander visitors: “Be careful when you go out to the bars tonight… one drink at elevation equals two or three at sea level!” This urban myth, passed down to and by yours truly and countless others over the years, was established […] Brains Jared Roberts | June 9, 2025 0 Comments
39% of French Ski Slopes Were Covered in Man-Made Snow in the 2022/2023 Season As the snowline rises across the European Alps, the once snow-sure resorts find themselves using more and more snowmaking to stay open. Where once you could be reasonably sure of being able to ski down to the lower village at around 4,600 feet off-piste through the trees, there are now just thin landing strips of snow, covered in artificial snow. […] Industry News Ben Davies | February 19, 2024 0 Comments
Protect Yourself From Spring Skiing Sun Spring break is the ideal time for you and your family to take an unforgettable ski trip. With tickets booked, chances are you’re dreaming of epic lines and deep powder. However, what many people don’t consider are the dangers of sun exposure in snowy environments. Due to the extreme mountain climates, the risk of dehydration, sunburn, and snow blindness is […] Brains Emily Crofton | April 21, 2023 0 Comments
The Highest-Elevation Towns in the U.S. How high is too high to set up a town deep in the mountains? Several communities thrive above 10,000 feet above sea level, over 1/3 of the height of the highest peak on Earth, Mount Everest. Residents of these towns battle fierce winters, lower amounts of oxygen, tough driving conditions, and many other factors that can create significant issues on […] Brains Matt Scribner | November 17, 2022 9 Comments
The Scope of Elevation Levels in the U.S. The United States has three major mountain ranges. They are the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, and the Appalachian Mountains. The map above really puts the scope of those mountains and the elevation of the entire country into perspective. It is easy to understand why the western United States is where you want to go for big mountain fun. You […] Brains Brent Thomas | October 3, 2022 2 Comments
How to Prepare Your Body for Ski Season Skiing is a fantastic sport, as it works not only your entire body but also your lungs. This intense sport leaves skiers often burning 350 calories per hour. There are some tips and tricks to build up resistance and strength in the sport to prepare for the exceptional season ahead. Increasing Your Stamina Perhaps one of the most important factors […] Breya Bergom | July 27, 2022 0 Comments
The 15 Highest Ski Resorts In Colorado Colorado is synonymous with skiing. CO sees more skier visits than any other US state. The Centennial State is home to over 25 ski resorts and tons of elevation. In fact, Colorado owns most of the highest elevation ski areas in North America. Here are the top 15: *** #1 – Silverton Mountain, 13,487 ft #2 – Telluride, 13,150 ft #3 […] Mike Lavery | September 3, 2021 2 Comments
HAPE: Preparing for Lung Juice The Dangers of High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) With the ongoing spread of COVID-19, travelers have discovered a newfound respect for endurance and health. When it comes to planning a trip up to the mountains at higher elevations, there are countless potential problems that travelers, like skiers and hikers, may have to confront. High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema, or HAPE, is a […] Brains Jesse | February 1, 2021 0 Comments
Altitude Sickness – Keep it on the Down Low Altitude Sickness is an all-too-common affliction for mountain newcomers and is always on the radar for even the most veteran mountain-enjoyers. As one increases in altitude, the surrounding air pressure decreases as less air is pushing down from above. Despite common misconceptions, there is no ‘less oxygen’ at higher altitudes — the oxygen content of air hovers around 21% throughout […] Brains Samuel Lawrence | February 1, 2021 0 Comments
The 9 Highest Cities in the World From city streets to mountain peaks, humans live at all different elevations across the globe. Where do most humans live? The vast majority live less than 1 mile high (5,280 feet), however 6% of the World’s population lives among the clouds. Most of the World’s highest cities are centered in South & Central America, with 6 of the top 9 […] Industry News Taylor Stephan | November 3, 2020 1 Comment
The 15 Highest Ski Resorts on the East Coast The east coast is not the first place most people think of when they think of skiing. It often gets overshadowed by resorts that are out west with bigger vertical and deeper powder. However, skiing in the east does have its perks. Many ski resorts on the east have an old school vibe and terrain that caters to all levels. […] Taliana Potts | July 23, 2020 6 Comments
The Top 15 Highest Ski Resorts in California California is not only known for sunshine and surfing, but it also boasts some of the best skiing in North America. The Golden State has nearly 30 ski resorts, many of them located in the Lake Tahoe area. California’s higher elevations rep a notable seasonal snowfall average and enjoy big storms with large dumps. Related: The Top 15 Highest Ski […] Industry News Taliana Potts | April 22, 2020 6 Comments
Sucking Wind- Considerations for Identifying and Treating HAPE Among hardcore alpinists and weekend ski warriors alike, most have experienced altitude sickness at some point recreating at high elevations. With symptoms very similar to a nasty hangover, altitude sickness is often accompanied by headaches, vomiting, shortness of breath, and inability to walk in a straight line. While altitude sickness is not deemed to be life-threatening, if left unchecked, it […] Industry News Spencer Cox | February 20, 2020 0 Comments
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, “HAPE” – More Than Just Altitude Sickness When travelling from low elevation to higher altitude environments, we often notice that our breathing gets heavier, our heartbeat increases, and we may start to experience dizziness and dehydration. We frequently attribute these signs as the common precursors to altitude sickness or new elevation and changes in climate. When managed properly, these signs typically subside as you adapt to your […] Brains Taylor Stephan | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema: The Invisible Killer While there are many risks associated with being at altitude such as hypothermia or dehydration, High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is the most deadly. Pulmonary Edema is fluid in the lungs and, as the name suggests, HAPE is fluid in the lungs due to prolonged time at high elevations. Typically, HAPE tends to occur in people that are above 8,000 ft, […] Backcountry Alex Camerino | February 1, 2020 0 Comments
The Top 9 Highest Ski Resorts in Utah Utah is known for some of the best quality snow in the world. The state’s combination of light dry snow produces extremely desirable ski conditions. The ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ is due to the low moisture content resulting from pacific storms passing over the Great Salt Lake. Of course, the elevation of many of the state’s mountains also helps with the […] Industry News Taliana Potts | October 2, 2019 0 Comments
Acute Mountain Sickness | Know The Effects And Risks That Altitude Can Have In Your Body. A Polish woman went unconscious and then passed away last month in the middle of a mountaineering expedition in Manaslu, Nepal. Earlier this year, many climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest lost consciousness and perished on the way to the top. Similar situations happen every year in mountains all around the world. The reason? High Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain […] Industry News Micho | July 17, 2019 2 Comments
HAPE: High Altitude’s Deadliest Killer Many of life’s most rewarding experiences can be found at altitude. However, depending on numerous factors, spending time at high altitudes can expose you to the deadly risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema, or HAPE, a severe form of altitude sickness. Many of those who frequent mountains have likely experienced acute mountain sickness, a common & comparatively mild form of altitude […] Industry News Dylan Craig | July 25, 2018 0 Comments
HAPE Elevation’s #1 Threat Planning on a big expedition in the high alpine or thinking about bagging that peak on your bucket list? Before you go, have you ever heard of HAPE, or high altitude pulmonary edema? HAPE is a more severe form of AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness. The cause of acute mountain sickness is still unknown, but some medical sources think it […] Featured Article Greg Obernesser | October 1, 2017 0 Comments
HAPE is the Leading Cause of Death at High Altitudes High-altitude pulmonary edema or HAPE is the leading cause of death related to high-altitude exposure. John Krakauer’s breakout book Into Thin Air brought HAPE as well as High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) to the forefront of mortality on Mt. Everest, but the fact is that HAPE, while most common above altitudes of 8,200 feet, can occur at altitudes as low […] Brains Meghan Kelly | October 1, 2017 0 Comments