Message #13080

[jbotti]

My home in MT is at 8900 feet. We really notice big difference staying there from where we live at 300 feet above sea level. My biggest issue is with sleep and it takes a week or so for that to get dialed in. I take atavan, which takes the edge off and helps me slleep in that first week. I agree with Lynn, aerobic conditioning makes all the difference. If I can sleep I feel fine all day. I do huff when I have to walk uphill but luckily that's why we have lifts!! I really don't think there is a substitute for a good amount of cycling in the off season, and if you can even during the season. I try to combine this with solid ski oriented strength training, with some heavy plyometric focus.

I do think if you are getting clobbered by altitude sickness, diamox is good and possibly necessary. Don't know about ****, maybe it works as well.

At 8900 feet I have to pound the water hard the first two days and I never leave the house in the morning without drinking a liter of water before skiing. I have no shot of holding up if I drink any less.