If you’re planning a trip to Park City, or any other ski resort in Utah or Colorado, there are some things you can do to prepare for the altitude of Park City Utah. As a Park City concierge for four years, I’ve seen many cases of altitude sickness in our guests. Fitness doesn’t even seem to be a major factor; higher elevations just hit some people differently. In this article, I will share my tips for avoiding acute mountain sickness, recognizing altitude sickness symptoms, and some remedies for minor cases that will have you back on your skis quickly. (Serious symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor!)

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Elevation of Park City Utah

The town of Park City sits just under 7,000 feet above sea level. (Or 2,134 meters for my one reader in the UK) It’s important to take into account what you will be doing and where you will be sleeping as well. The highest peak at neighboring Deer Valley Resort reaches 9,570. The Montage Deer Valley is one of the premier luxury hotels in the area, and it sits at 8,600′. That is too high for some people; we have had people check in to the St. Regis (7,500′) after having trouble breathing at the Montage.

Salt Lake City sits at 4,265′ which is almost as high as Denver. If you’ve experienced altitude sickness symptoms before, and you are coming from sea level, you might consider spending one night in Salt Lake City. This will help you acclimate a bit more slowly to the Park City elevation.

Other Elevations in Park City

• Canyons Resort at Park City Mountain: 6,900′
• The highest peak at Park City Ski Resort is 10,026′
• The Deer Valley Ski Resort base is at 7,200′
• Deer Valley’s highest peak is Empire at 9,570′

You’ll definitely get a workout skiing at these altitudes!

Prepare for Park City Altitude

The best thing you can do to prepare for your trip to a higher level of elevation is to drink lots of water, starting before your trip. When I used to drive out to Colorado from Chicago in the summer, I would drink a ton of water on the drive, which cost a lot of time in bathroom stops, but it was worth it as I rarely experienced any issues. Once you arrive in Park City, continue to drink water throughout your trip.

It’s counterintuitive to be surrounded by snow (water) and yet Park City is still considered high desert. Our humidity is typically under 20%, so it takes a lot of water to make up for the lack of water in the air. Most luxury hotels in Park City provide humidifiers; they are already in the room or you may have to request them. If your lodging does not provide a humidifier, it’s probably worth ordering one ahead of time. There are also travel-size humidifiers that work with a water bottle. After four years living in Park City, I still use a humidifier every night and I can tell the difference if I forget!

I also recommend balancing out your itinerary to account for acclimation. Plan less strenuous activities early in the week, which will give you time to get used to the altitude before tackling the challenging activities. If you’re visiting Park City in summer, a UTV tour or horseback riding are both great options. Park City winter activities like snowmobiling or dog sledding are great for your first day in town.

Be careful with alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine will dehydrate you, and while it may initially help your headache symptoms, in the long run, it might make things worse. Although Utah has some bizarre alcohol rules that ensure you’ll never get a strong drink, that’s a good thing at altitude in Park City! I’ve seen my share of very sick revelers coming off apres-ski. Your blood is thinner here, and alcohol can have a stronger effect, so go slow and pay attention to your body.

Recognizing Altitude Sickness Symptoms

The first thing you will notice is likely shortness of breath, even when doing simple things like crossing a parking lot. This doesn’t mean you have altitude sickness, it just means your body is working harder to get oxygen.

The biggest symptom of altitude issues is headaches. Generally, a headache in the mountains means you’re dehydrated. I had a headache for the first month that I lived in Park City. Anytime I leave and return to the flatlands for more than a few days, I have to reacclimate. But these views are worth it!

Again, water is the key! Drink as much as you can, as often as you can. Lack of appetite can also be a sign of altitude sickness. I haven’t seen visitors experience this as often, but I did experience it once myself on a backpacking trip in Colorado. That’s why a water bladder is one of my hiking essentials; it makes drinking water so much easier on the trail!

Treating Minor Altitude Sickness

If you’re in any doubt about the severity of your symptoms, go to Urgent Care. They’ve seen it all. There are at least three urgent care centers in Park City, as well as an emergency room at Park City Hospital.

• A lot of travelers will also add Liquid IV or similar electrolyte powders to help hydrate
• You will also see cans of oxygen sold all over town, from your hotel gift shop to Walgreen’s. If you’re visiting Park City in the off-season, you may want to pre-order these, as I remember having a hard time finding them in the spring.
• Supposedly, there’s something in the skin of green apples that is also supposed to help you. Pre-COVID, the St. Regis always had baskets of green apples around the hotel.
• There are also a few companies in town that offer IV treatments. I have been to The Vitamin Bar, a cozy lounge that pumps your veins full of good stuff. For an additional fee, they will travel to hotels or vacation rentals. If you’re coming in for the Sundance Film Festival, there are usually pop-up IV services around town and at hotels.
• Of course, you can always take over-the-counter headache medication to help relieve those symptoms.

The altitude in Park City’s Mountain Village can catch you off guard, but with a little preparation, you can likely avoid the most serious symptoms. Give yourself a day upon arrival to acclimate and enjoy the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains!