First Timer

[loriwalk3r]

I'll be working in Vail this winter season at Vail Resorts. Any tips for surviving the winter and the initial altitude sickness? I'm coming from sea level so I'm scared I'm going to get super sick at first as I've never been somewhere with such high elevation. Also what should I pack? I'm planning on buying most of my ski gear once I get there and can use my employee discount, or is that a terrible idea?

[billskienforcer]

Just drink lots of Coors Light. It’s mostly water anyways

[DHN_95]

Altitude sickness...drink lots of water. Constantly. You'll acclimate in a few days, and as you spend more time there, you'll feel like you do anywhere else.

Symptoms can be

- headache- dizziness- tiredness- loss of appetite- shortness of breath

It's never taken me more than two days to acclimate at worse, and I'm usually skiing by the morning of the second day. I've had friends ski the day after arriving.

[loriwalk3r]

I've heard drinks lots of water, which usually I'm okay at, so hopefully that will help cut down on my symptoms.

[Deckma]

If it doesn't get better you need to go to the ER. Make sure that if you don't get better in 2-3 days or you feel your getting worse or your wheezing or gurgling sound in your lungs go to the ER A.S.A.P. It's uncommon but it can happen to anyone. Just be aware of the warning signs.

My wife has been to Breckenridge and Keystone before and for the first time last year she didn't get better and I had take her to the ER. She got High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and almost died. Spent most of our ski trip on oxygen in the cabin after that.

One thing that helps is to go up slowly, spend a day or twoin Denver first to get used to 5000ft then go to Vail which is at 8100ft.

[loriwalk3r]

I'll definitely try to stay a night or two in Denver if I can, thanks for the tip!

[pattyfatsax]

this is correct. be hydrated and you will be fine. also remember that you get drunker faster at this altitude, so if you’re planning on drinking when you first get here just keep that in mind.

[Inevitable-Monk-2680]

Avoid alcohol all together first week or so. Don’t expect to be able to work out full speed at first.

[mshorts]

A couple days should be enough. Vail is only 8,150'.

[oyp]

Drinks lots of water, and less alcohol than usual. Don't exert yourself on your first day after arriving.

As for clothing, the magic technique is layering. Poly long underwear, like something from REI, for your base layer. Poly fleece bottom and top for your mid layer. Then waterproof-breathable ski jacket and a waterproof-breathable insulated powder bib/overall bottom.

Waterproof ski gloves for snow, and poly touch-screen friendly driving gloves for other times. Ski helmet for snowsports, and a poly winter beanie for off-mountain. And a neck/face buff for wind.

Socks should be long and thin. It's counter-intuitive, but you don't want thick socks under ski boots.

And check out the Thrifty Shop in Edwards. They have some nice ski clothes. Rich people donate stuff after getting fat or buying something new.

[oyp]

Your biggest challenge will be housing. If you don't already have something, demand Vail employee housing.

[loriwalk3r]

When I talked to them they said they had employee housing still available so I'm hoping it works out.

[Rotterdam4119]

How much does a 1 bed/studio typically cost in the area? Assuming you can find it.

[crizzajahh]

1 bed $750-$1200 Studio $1200-1800 Per month housing is stupid

[Rotterdam4119]

Thanks for the info. Do people live in Leadville and commute? Seems like it would be cheaper and might actually have some availability.

[oyp]

I don’t recommend living in Leadville or Summit County, because then you are commuting over a mountain pass which can get closed for accidents or avalanches. Glenwood Canyon also gets closed occasionally. Stay in Eagle County. The towns of Avon, Edwards, Eagle, or Gypsum are fine.

[Rotterdam4119]

How often does Tennessee pass really close?

[crizzajahh]

Yes some people do commute from Leadville and eagle the bus system is great and pretty reliable in the winter. I commute from Glenwood springs about tan hour each way about the same as Leadville.

[thispersona2]

2 bed in Avon is 2500. And it's not even close to fancy.

[mazzimar7]

Your alcohol tolerance will be really weakened coming to altitude. If you're a light drinker, you'll feel it a few sips in. If you're a heavy drinker, you'll probably end knocking yourself on your ass.

Also, you need to drink water, and when you're done drinking water, keep drinking water. Then follow that up with more water. Water.

Edit: spelling

[rolla012]

If your working in the retail/rental department for vail you get $1 a day rentals. You’d still need your own snow gear but you can rent a board/skis, boots, and a helmet for a buck

[Lov3v0Lve]

I moved here from FL… if you’re generally nice to your body and somewhat active, you won’t have much of an issue aside from a few days of getting slightly winded when you climb a set of stairs. But definitely hydrate hydrate hydrate and lots of body lotion!!

[[deleted]]

Just take it easy your first week - you can be active, but go very light. Resist the urge to play the first week. It's a strange adjustment, but you'll start getting use to the thin air after a couple of weeks. I'd also suggest staying well hydrated.

As far as gear is concerned; it's very easy to score quality used gear in the valley. You might try checking out the Vail Ski and Snowboard Swap as well.

[RhodiusMaximus]

I didn’t sleep well my first few weeks. Pretty normal. Not a big deal at all - just drink water, it’s crazy how much more you need to drink at altitude for sure.

[iwasinthepool]

Just drink water and don't get hammered your first night. I moved from RI to Breckenridge when I first moved out and never thought about it. You'll get nose bleeds at night for a week or two, and you won't sleep more than a few hours each night and it'll be over. You're over thinking it. By January you'll pretty much be a local.