 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi we are off to Saas Fee next week - and I've been reading some of the stuff on site about Saas. one thing I'm wondering though is about the altitude. My husband, is experienced mountaineer and it was he who chose the resort ( I think because of the altitude) Me I have a bad head for this sort of thing - any tips for dealing with light headed and lack of breath potential? Is my only option to go back down again?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have problems with altitude.
Last trip I took Acetazolomide (half the prescribed dose, accidentally) drank caffeinated drinks especially Coca-Cola, I usually avoid caffeine, and also took Ginko Biloba.
I didn't get any problems that trip, after 3 days I stopped the coke and Acet. but continued with GB.
Acet. is prescription only.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| purplegirl wrote: |
| one thing I'm wondering though is about the altitude. |
funny cigarettes don't burn well around 4000m, take a good lighter. 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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purplegirl, I'm guessing you're skiing not climbing as winter alpine mountaineering is hardcore and the 4000m peaks in the area are highly prized by those driven - and able - to climb them.... So, you're unlikely to have problems because rather than spending time in mountain huts you'll be back down in resort (1800m?) every night which is low enough not to have any real AMS altitude issues.
That said, personally I sleep less well even around the 1800/2000 level, so my advice would be to make 'apres-ski' an early evening nookie-nap and to take it easy alcohol-wise.
Saas is a great little resort - you'll love it...
Remember - you have to post a trip report when you get back! 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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purplegirl, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and keep off the alcohol to begin with. Take it easy for the first couple of days, even down in the village. On a practical note, if you go up the funicular, the Metro Alpin, go as far up as you can right at the start. The more steps you climb at 3000m, the fewer you will have to climb at 3500m - it makes a difference. We love going to Saas Fee, not to big and very friendly.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Derek Jackson,
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if you go up the funicular, the Metro Alpin, go as far up as you can right at the start. The more steps you climb at 3000m, the fewer you will have to climb at 3500m
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That is such brilliant advice! 
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My usual approach when skiing Saas Fee in the summer is to get absolutely hammered on the first evening, go to bed at 4am, up at 7am, go skiing still hammered then go back down to bed at 2pm, up for dinner at 7pm and repeat. Never seem to have a problem with the altitude. That said I also follow the Derek Jackson approach for the Metro Alpin
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I've only experienced problems when sleeping at altitude, not when skiing at altitude but sleeping lower.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I used to get problems as low as 1850 (Val D'Isere and Les Deux Alpes), both Summer and Winter, mainly feeling weak, slight trace of blood if I blow my nose, sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon and I think I have only dosed for 5 minutes. But taking the combined "medications" on my last trip I was OK. I used to get it on the first day before I've been up the mountain so the books are wrong about it starting at 3000m.
Altitiude sickness seems to be a grey area for the medical profession, I saw a consultant about it and to my surprise he looked for answers on the internet. Personally, I think it is the reduced oxygen that gets me. Maybe my lungs are poor at extracting it or the transport mechanisms to get it to my organs is weak or a combination of both, I don't know.
I am fit otherwise, as confirmed by the consultant who did a few tests.
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purplegirl, When you get to the top of the Metro Alpin they kindly provide a big bench to collapse onto until you get your breath back. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hi all thanks for all your advice, this site is as helpful as ever. But it's all redundant now because I have had to cancel the holiday. My husband tool ill last week and had an emergency trip to hospital. He's on the mend now but there will be no more skiing for us this year!!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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purplegirl, Yikes, that's bad news... All the best to you both, hopefully you'll back on the slopes and in the Mountains soon.
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