Your First Day at a High-Altitude Ski Resort

Colorado's big ski resorts start where many other mountains top out. If you are flying in from near sea level, the first day of a ski trip to Summit County or the Vail Valley can feel very different from a day on the slopes back home. Stairs feel steeper, a long run leaves you more winded and the evening comes on faster than you expect. A little planning helps you enjoy the whole trip, not just the first morning.

Know how high you are going

Here are the base and summit elevations for the resorts we deliver near, so you know what to expect:

• Breckenridge Ski Area: 9,600 feet at the base, 12,998 feet at the summit
• Keystone Resort: 9,280 feet at the base, 12,408 feet at the summit
• Copper Mountain Resort: 9,712 feet at the base, 12,312 feet at the summit
• Vail Ski Resort: 8,120 feet at the base, 11,570 feet at the summit
• Beaver Creek Resort: 8,100 feet at the base, 11,440 feet at the summit

Your lodging matters too. Towns like Breckenridge sit right at the base of the mountain, while staying down valley in a town like Avon or Edwards puts you a little lower when you are off the slopes. See our town pages for each town's elevation.

Make arrival day an easy day

Try not to land in Denver and head straight for the lift line. If you can, arrive the afternoon or evening before your first ski day and use the time for the small jobs that eat into a morning:

• Check in to your lodging and unpack your ski clothes
• Pick up rental skis or a snowboard and boots, so the fitting is done before day one
• Load your lift pass or the resort app and find out where your lift or shuttle stop is
• Have an early, relaxed dinner and get a good night's sleep

If you are driving up, our guide to driving I-70 to the mountains in winter covers what to know before you go, and our Colorado ski trip packing list covers what to bring.

Pace your first day on the mountain

The first day sets the tone for the trip. A few habits help:

• Start with easy runs. Warm up on groomed green and blue runs before heading for the summit lifts or the steeps.
• Take real breaks. Stop for a mid-morning rest and a sit-down lunch instead of skiing straight through.
• Carry water. The air is dry up here, so keep a water bottle in your pocket or pack and drink through the day.
• Wear sunscreen. The sun is strong at altitude and the snow reflects it back, even on cold or cloudy days.
• Quit while it is fun. Many falls happen on the "one last run" when legs are tired. Ending early on day one leaves more energy for day two.

Go light on alcohol the first evening, eat a good dinner and plan an early night. Talk to a doctor about any medical questions before your trip.

Pace the whole trip

It is tempting to ski first chair to last chair every day, but a long trip goes better with some rest built in. Many visitors plan a shorter ski day in the middle of the week, or swap one day for something slower, like a walk through a historic downtown, a sleigh ride or an afternoon in the hot tub at the condo. In Summit County, free buses make it easy to get around without driving; see our guide to getting around Summit County without a car.

On your last day, leave time to return rentals and pack before you drive or fly home, so the trip ends as calmly as it started.

Oxygen waiting at your lodging

Some visitors like to have an oxygen concentrator at their lodging for the trip. Peak Oxygen delivers in-home and portable concentrators to homes, condos and hotels across Summit County and the Vail Valley. It is for recreational use at altitude and no prescription is needed. Deliveries do not require you to be present, so it can be ready when you check in. Compare rental options or book your delivery.