Silverton Mountain, CO - 3/17/13

It was pretty good:











More pics, and some text here: http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2013/03/silverton-mountain-colorado-3172013.html

How did you deal with all of those people, the crowds and what looks like such horrible conditions??  

Damn that looks awesome.  I will eventually get there when I get back to Colorado.

How did you deal with the low levels of oxygen? Were the hikes difficult?

Once I get over 8000 feet I suck wind bad. I stopped going to CO because the elevation took away from my enjoyment of being there.

Hiking at Whitefish at 6000 feet was just fine. But once we got to Big Sky I noticed the difference. I couldn't ski as far without stopping, let alone climbing. I didn't feel like hiking at all there because the air was so thin.

I've always wanted to go to Silverton but have been concerned about how the altitude will affect my enjoyment. I live at 1200 feet, and I'm in good aerobic shape, but the affects of altitude hits me hard. Did you prepare for this in anyway?

mattchuck2 wrote

After reading these posts, I've decided to start a small savings account ($25 a paycheck) entitled "Future European Ski Trip". I should have enough money in about 6 years.

Heli-skiing in Alaska and now this? Looks like mattchuck2 found a few coins between the sofa cushions.

Awesome TR MC.  Love all the pics.  Can't wait to see the go-pro video.  A buddy of mine did the same trip - Telluride and Silverton a few weeks ago.  He sent me a few pics but nothing that good.  He also had a blast and was wiped by end of day.

James it is $140 for lift ticket/guide and another $36 for avy gear if you need it.  Not bad considering what guided cat/heli skiing costs (and what a regular lift served CO ticket costs).  

Powderqueen wrote

How did you deal with the low levels of oxygen? Were the hikes difficult?

Once I get over 8000 feet I suck wind bad. I stopped going to CO because the elevation took away from my enjoyment of being there.

Hiking at Whitefish at 6000 feet was just fine. But once we got to Big Sky I noticed the difference. I couldn't ski as far without stopping, let alone climbing. I didn't feel like hiking at all there because the air was so thin.

I've always wanted to go to Silverton but have been concerned about how the altitude will affect my enjoyment. I live at 1200 feet, and I'm in good aerobic shape, but the affects of altitude hits me hard. Did you prepare for this in anyway?

Here's an excerpt from the confirmation email my buddy sent before his trip.  Between the viagra and ginseng I am sure there are many many inappropriate jokes.

"Tips for getting the most from your Guided Silverton experience:

1) Prepare for the high altitude. You can start taking Diamox one day before you arrive for best results (RX. Recommended dose 125mg twice a day but check with your doctor first) or Ginseng 100 mg twice a day starting 5 days before you get here. Viagra also works. If you are coming from sea level, skiing an easy partial day before your Silverton day will help with the altitude."

mattchuck2 wrote

More pics, and some text here: http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2013/03/silverton-mountain-colorado-3172013.html

Definitely worth reading. Nice!

I tried taking Ginkgo biloba which also is supposed to help with adjusting to altitude and it does help but is has some side effects.  It causes ringing in the ears that I find so annoying that I couldn't sleep that I had to stop taking it.  

I've found that as long as I don't drink too much sleeping at 8000 isn't so bad but 10000 is totally another thing and I will never stay at Breck again because of it. A few years ago I was able to combine a ski trip with business in Denver and then go back skiing and hiking was no problem that 2nd week. Unfortunately its pretty hard to be at altitude for 2 weeks if you have to make a living and live in the East.