Altitude Sickness in Durango: How to Adjust Quickly
Durango sits at 6,500 feet. Purgatory's base is 8,793 feet. The summit is 10,822 feet. If you're coming from sea level or even somewhere like Denver (5,280 feet), your body will notice. Altitude affects everyone differently, but ignoring it is a guaranteed way to spend your first day feeling miserable instead of enjoying your vacation.
What Altitude Does to Your Body
At higher elevations, there's less oxygen in each breath. Your lungs and heart have to work harder to deliver oxygen to your muscles and brain. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches — the most common symptom, often starting within hours of arrival
- Fatigue — feeling unusually tired even after minimal exertion
- Shortness of breath — getting winded walking up stairs or hills
- Difficulty sleeping — waking up frequently or feeling unrested
- Nausea or loss of appetite — less common but not unusual
- Dizziness or lightheadedness — especially when standing up quickly
Most people adjust within one to two days. Your body increases red blood cell production and breathing rate to compensate. But that first day or two can be rough if you don't take it seriously.
How to Prepare Before You Arrive
Hydrate aggressively. Start drinking extra water the day before you travel and continue throughout your trip. Aim for at least 3-4 liters per day — more if you're skiing, hiking, or being active. The mountain air is dry, and dehydration makes altitude symptoms significantly worse.
Hydration isn't just about drinking water. Electrolytes matter too. Bring packets of electrolyte powder (Liquid IV, Nuun, or similar) and mix them into your water. You're losing more salts and minerals at altitude, and replacing them helps.
Sleep well before you arrive. You'll sleep poorly the first night at altitude — everyone does. Arriving well-rested gives you a buffer.
Avoid alcohol the night before. Alcohol dehydrates you and makes altitude adjustment harder. Save the brewery crawl for day two or three.
Day One: Take It Easy
This is the most important advice: Don't plan a 10-mile hike or a full day of aggressive skiing on your first day. Your body needs time to adjust. Walk around town, take a short easy hike, and let your system acclimate.
If you're skiing at Purgatory on day one, stick to mellow runs and take frequent breaks. Don't push yourself. Your endurance and balance will be off — accept it.
Limit Alcohol the First Night
Alcohol hits harder at altitude. One beer feels like two. Three beers feels like six. Combine that with dehydration and fatigue, and you're asking for a brutal hangover. If you do drink, pace yourself, alternate with water, and stop earlier than you normally would.
Steamworks Brewing on Main Avenue and Ska Brewing are Durango staples, but save the full brewery crawl for day two when your body has adjusted.
Eat Well and Eat Often
Carbohydrates are your friend at altitude. Your body burns more calories at elevation, especially when you're active. Eat frequently — don't skip meals. Complex carbs (pasta, rice, potatoes) help your body produce energy more efficiently in low-oxygen environments.
Oscar's Cafe on Main Avenue is a solid breakfast spot with big portions. Fuel up before hitting the mountain. Zia Taqueria is perfect for quick, carb-heavy lunches — their green chile burrito is a local favorite.
If Symptoms Hit: What to Do
Mild headache and fatigue are normal. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen helps with headaches. Rest, hydrate, and give it time.
More severe symptoms require action. If you experience persistent nausea, confusion, severe headache that doesn't respond to medication, difficulty walking, or extreme fatigue, those are signs of more serious altitude sickness. Descend to lower elevation and seek medical attention if symptoms don't improve.
Durango has urgent care facilities and a hospital. Purgatory has a ski patrol with medical training. Don't tough it out if symptoms are severe — altitude sickness can escalate into life-threatening conditions (HAPE or HACE) if ignored.
Medications That Help
Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a prescription medication that helps with altitude adjustment. It speeds up acclimatization and reduces symptoms. If you know you're sensitive to altitude or you're coming from sea level to ski at 10,000+ feet, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription before your trip.
Ibuprofen helps with headaches and inflammation. Safe to take at altitude.
Avoid sleeping pills and strong sedatives. They can suppress your breathing, which is already compromised at altitude.
Kids and Altitude
Children are more susceptible to altitude sickness than adults, and they're less able to articulate symptoms. Watch for crankiness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. The same strategies apply — hydration, rest, slow pace on day one. If a kid is struggling, don't push it. Descend to lower elevation if needed.
The Good News
Most visitors from lower elevations adjust within 24-48 hours. By day two, you'll feel closer to normal. By day three, you'll be ripping down ski runs or hiking without thinking about it. The first day is the hardest — plan for that, accept it, and don't let it ruin your trip.
For more tips on skiing and visiting Purgatory, check out our guides to beginner skiing and Christmas week at Purgatory.
Both of our Purgatory townhomes — Basecamp and Timberline — sit at about 8,800 feet elevation, right at the resort base. If you're adjusting to altitude, having a comfortable place to rest, hydrate, and take breaks is essential. Full kitchens, hot tubs, and easy access to the slopes without extra driving.
Planning a trip to Purgatory? Check availability and book direct — save 10-15% vs Airbnb/VRBO.