Heavenly Altitude: Quick Guide & 5 Tips To Prepare - Zaca
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Heavenly Altitude: Quick Guide & 5 Tips To Prepare

Heavenly Altitude

In the realm of breathtaking experiences, nothing quite compares to the majesty of Heavenly. As a high-altitude company, in this guide we’ll share everything you need to know about Heavenly altitude and five tips to prepare yourself.

Heavenly Altitude

Heavenly altitude sits at a base of 6,255 feet which rises to a summit at 10,067 feet. Based in Lake Tahoe California, Heavenly is considered its highest ski resort.

Heavenly Altitude:

  • Heavenly base altitude - 6,255 ft (1,907 m)
  • Heavenly top altitude - 10,067 ft (3,068 m)

Even at its lowest elevation, the Heavenly village sits at 6,255 feet above sea level. At these heights and higher, you’ll want to be well prepared for your ski trip to Heavenly ski resort.

What Is The Highest Elevation Ski Resort In Tahoe?

Heavenly is the highest elevation ski resort in Tahoe.

It’s the only ski resort to break 10,000 feet high, but many others are high-altitude falling just below Tahoe.

Here’s the highest elevation ski resorts in Tahoe (listed by highest):

  1. Heavenly elevation 10,067 ft (3,068 m)
  2. Kirkwood elevation 9,800 ft (2987 m)
  3. Mt. Rose elevation 9,701 ft (2957 m)
  4. Palisades Tahoe elevation 9,005 ft (2745 m)
  5. Sierra at Tahoe elevation 8,851 ft (2698 m)

These five ski resorts bring you to the highest highest in Lake Tahoe.

Is Heavenly Considered High Altitude?

Yes, Heavenly ski resort is considered high altitude.

According to Mountain Medicine, high altitude starts at 4,900 feet.² Even at Heavenly’s base altitude of 6,255 feet, it well surpasses that minimum elevation, rising all the way to 10,067 feet.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness In Heavenly Lake Tahoe?

Yes, you can get altitude sickness in Heavenly Lake Tahoe.

Similar to Leadville Colorado, Heavenly surpasses 10,000 which will put you at high risk of altitude sickness. At these heights, it’s estimated that 40-50% of people will experience mountain sickness.⁵

Heavenly Altitude Sickness

Heavenly altitude sickness is caused by the lower oxygen levels at its high elevation.

With over 30% less oxygen than sea level in Heavenly,⁶ hypoxia, oxidative stress, and dehydration can kick in causing altitude sickness. Your risk for altitude sickness can run very high in Heavenly, affecting half the visitors on average.

Heavenly Altitude Sickness Symptoms

With Heavenly altitude sickness symptoms at high risk, this can turn a pleasant trip very unpleasant. First signs of altitude sickness can include headache, fatigue, or even abnormal breathing.

Heavenly Altitude Sickness Symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Tiredness
  • Increased respiration
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trouble breathing
  • Problems sleeping or insomnia
  • Feeling ill

When you visit Heavenly, these symptoms of altitude sickness can usually develop within 6-24 hours upon arrival.

What Is The Highest Lift At Heavenly?

The highest lift in Heavenly and all of Tahoe is the Sky Express at 10,040 feet.

  • Heavenly Sky Express gondola elevation - 10,040 ft (3,060 m)

Sky Express is a gondola at Heavenly with unparalleled views of the Tahoe mountains.

6 Tips To Prepare For Heavenly Altitude Sickness

Uncover the best tips for preparing and conquering Heavenly’s high altitudes.

As a company with over a decade of elevation experience in Colorado, we’ll unveil what you need to know for Heavenly.

6 Tips To Prepare For Heavenly Altitude Sickness:

1. Acclimate Gradually

    Rushing into elevated terrains without allowing your body to adjust can lead to problems. Venturing into Heavenly demands a gradual acclimatization process. 

    When you arrive in Heavenly at 6,255 feet, you should take at least a day or two to acclimate. Only after you feel clear of any altitude sickness signs should you begin skiing and ascending to the peak heights at 10,067 feet.

    2. Limit Alcohol

    While maybe the hardest to limit your indulgences when you first arrive at Heavenly, you’ll thank yourself later. Alcohol at high altitudes can exacerbate symptoms and even lead to lowered sleep quality and oxygen saturation.⁷

    Opt for avoiding or at least limiting alcohol until your body is well adapted and acclimated.

    3. Don’t Overexert Yourself

    Overexerting your body will lead to increased high-altitude risks. Recognize your limits and avoid pushing yourself beyond what feels comfortable.

    Listen to your body, plan breaks often and during activities, and stay attuned to signs of fatigue or breathlessness. Slowly increasing your activity level over a few days is best.

    4. Hydrate Often

    High elevations such as at Heavenly have been observed to cause increased fluid loss by double, when compared to sea level.⁸ This can lead to dehydration intensifying.

    Replenish fluids consistently by drinking water often. It’s often recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day.

    TIP: To enhance your hydration, add sea salt (naturally contains electrolytes) to your food or water, and take Zaca’s hydration supplement that aids in increasing water absorption.

    5. Sleep Well

    Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, decreased physical performance, and affect your ability to recover.⁹ Getting quality sleep and a well-rested body is an absolute necessity at high altitudes such as Heavenly.

    Shoot for 7-9 hours of sleep for quality rest. To help your sleep, get natural sunlight outside during the day which can help your melatonin production during the night.

    6. Supplement Glutathione

    Oxidative stress is one major physiological impact on the body at high altitudes.¹⁰ Research even shows that glutathione, the mother of antioxidants, declined by up to 45% from high altitudes.¹¹

    Antioxidants are shown to be promising, and can help fight oxidative stress.¹² Supplement antioxidants such as glutathione to replenish your levels.

    Navigating the heights of heavenly altitudes requires preparation, but by adhering to these tips you can ensure a better experience.

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    SOURCES:

    1. Heavenly Mountain Resort Elevation
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavenly_Mountain_Resort
    2. Effects of high altitude on humans
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
    3. List of the highest ski resorts at Lake Tahoe (mountain station): all 14 ski resorts sorted according to elevation
    https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/lake-tahoe/sorted/mountain-altitude/
    4. High Altitude Illness
    https://www.travelsurenyc.com/high-altitude-illness/
    5. Patient education: High-altitude illness (including mountain sickness)
    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-altitude-illness-including-mountain-sickness-beyond-the-basics/
    6. Oxygen Levels At Altitude
    https://wildsafe.org/resources/ask-the-experts/altitude-safety-101/oxygen-levels/
    7. Effects of Alcohol
    https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
    8. The Importance Of Drinking Water At High Altitude
    https://summitoxygen.net/drinking-at-high-altitude/
    9. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
    https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
    10. High altitude and oxidative stress
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
    11. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
    12. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
    13. High Altitude...It's No Joke - Heavenly Ski Resort
    https://www.skiheavenly.com/explore/wellness.aspx




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