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Dillon is at an altitude of 9,019 feet above sea level - that's almost two miles! The air is thin up here and the sun is strong!
Altitude sickness health and safety concerns are real, so please familiarize yourself with symptoms and ways to prevent it including staying hydrated, limiting alcohol consumption, and considering spending a night or two in Denver before climbing to mountain elevations.
Winter weather conditions may exist from September through May so familiarize yourself with mountain driving and the Colorado Passenger Vehicle Traction Law. 4WD or AWD vehicles are highly recommended and required on parts of I-70 and during winter storms.
We highly encourage our guests to purchase travel insurance, especially during winter travel. We do not refund due to adverse weather conditions that could affect your travel plans, including but not limited to flight cancellations and/or highway or road closures. A cruise does not reimburse guests for seasickness, we do not refund for altitude sickness.
Altitude Sickness is REAL and it isn't fun -- so our #1 TIP is to stay hydrated.
This is key to preventing altitude sickness.
For more info on altitude sickness and learn symptoms, CLICK HERE
If you live at sea level, you may want to consider staying a night or two in Denver to help acclimatize to the altitude before heading to the mountains.
Here are some tips for life at this high altitude!
Staying Hydrated
Staying Hydrated
High elevation means low humidity (around 20%), so low it can shock travelers from sea level or high humidity. Many parts of the country have 80% humidity or higher so here are some tips to stay comfortable.
Fireplaces create a beautiful setting and a feeling of being warm and cozy. However please keep in mind that using a fireplace will dry the air even more than it is already!
Drink A LOT of water -- double or even triple the amount of water you normally drink. Most adults needs 12 to 16 glasses of water per day in the mountains. To help get hydrated before you arrive, start a few days before your trip to the mountains.
Water is hydrating. Alcoholic beverage are not. We suggest you limit alcohol consumption for at least 24-48 hours. Also please keep in mind that high altitude intensifies the effects of alcohol.
Keeping Warm
Keeping Warm
Our high elevation is the perfect set up for cold and sometimes extreme weather conditions. If you are from a warm climate, here are some tips to keep warm when temperatures are below freezing at times during the winter:
The heating system in this unit is under floor radiant heating. This type of heating is very efficient and heats the entire unit very well. If you choose to increase the temperature, IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL HOURS to feel the heat increase or decrease. (The temperature will increase by about 1 degree per hour). Setting the thermostat to a very high temperature will not heat the condo up faster, in fact it will overheat the condo which will tempt you to turn the temperature all the way down. This will result in going back and forth between too warm and cold your entire stay. We suggest setting the thermostat to a reasonable temperature and leaving it there your entire stay. Feel free to adjust the thermostat to a comfortable temperature as soon as you arrive, and then BE PATIENT.
There is one thermostat in the main living area and one thermostat in each bedroom. If one area is warm and another is cold, look for the thermostat.
If the condo seems too warm when you arrive, open a window or door to let some heat escape.
Outside temperatures can change quickly in Colorado. Please keep this in mind if you leave a door or window open.
Please do not lower the thermostats below 65 degrees. If outside temperatures drop suddenly, pipes can freeze causing a lot of damage.
Staying Cool
Staying Cool
Almost all of the homes in Dillon and Summit County do not have air conditioning. While this is unthinkable in warmer climates, the Rocky Mountains don't need it since air conditioning would only be needed for about 1 month of the year. On average, Dillon reaches 78 degrees at the most in the summer months. Indoor temperatures can rise to uncomfortable levels with still air and high sun exposure so the key to staying cool is to circulate fresh, cool air. Here are some tips if the condo is too warm:
Close the blinds for windows that have direct sun shining through. Keep the balcony door and windows open as much as possible while you’re home. Please keep in mind that rain showers are common in the mountains during the summer and and can cause damage if it comes through open windows.
Use the ceiling fans! Cool, fresh air from outside will circulated and will quickly cool down a room.
Make sure that all thermostats are "off" on the side button and the floors are cool to the touch. If they are not, please let us know.
Cooking at High Altitude
Cooking at High Altitude
Your favorite recipes made at sea level can be a different story at higher altitude! Small adjustments must be made when preparing food which may require changes in time cooking time or temperature due to the decreased atmospheric pressure. Keep in mind that decreased pressure makes water (and other liquids) evaporate faster and boil at lower temperatures AND gases in breads and cakes will expand more quickly.
Cooking
The temperature at which water boils declines as elevation rises. Therefore, foods that are prepared with boiling or simmering will cook at a lower temperature at high altitude than at sea level -- resulting in a longer cooking time. Keep this in mind if you're cooking vegetables, legumes, pot roasts, soups and stews. Meats cooked by simmering or braising may require one-fourth more time at 5,000 feet than at sea level. Oven temperatures are not affected by altitude, so sea-level instructions will be the same for oven-roasted meats. Hard boiled eggs will take longer to cook. A “3-minute” egg may take 5 minutes to cook at 5,000 feet. High altitude areas are also prone to low humidity, which causes the moisture in foods to evaporate more quickly during cooking. Covering foods during cooking will help hold in moisture.
Cooking
The temperature at which water boils declines as elevation rises. Therefore, foods that are prepared with boiling or simmering will cook at a lower temperature at high altitude than at sea level -- resulting in a longer cooking time. Keep this in mind if you're cooking vegetables, legumes, pot roasts, soups and stews. Meats cooked by simmering or braising may require one-fourth more time at 5,000 feet than at sea level. Oven temperatures are not affected by altitude, so sea-level instructions will be the same for oven-roasted meats. Hard boiled eggs will take longer to cook. A “3-minute” egg may take 5 minutes to cook at 5,000 feet. High altitude areas are also prone to low humidity, which causes the moisture in foods to evaporate more quickly during cooking. Covering foods during cooking will help hold in moisture.
Microwave Cooking
Liquids will evaporate faster at high altitude so microwave cooking times may need to be adjusted.
Microwave Cooking
Liquids will evaporate faster at high altitude so microwave cooking times may need to be adjusted.
Slow Cookers
A slow cooker simmers at a lower temperature at higher altitude so make sure your food is fully cooked before eating it. Allow longer cooking times at high altitudes and it's key NOT to remove the lid! It can take 20 minutes or longer for the lost steam and heat to be regained each time the lid is lifted.
Slow Cookers
A slow cooker simmers at a lower temperature at higher altitude so make sure your food is fully cooked before eating it. Allow longer cooking times at high altitudes and it's key NOT to remove the lid! It can take 20 minutes or longer for the lost steam and heat to be regained each time the lid is lifted.
Cookies & Cakes
Be sure to adjust the recipe to "high altitude baking" usually in small font somewhere on your cake mix boxes, cookies or brownies. Cookies can often be improved by a slight increase in baking temperature, a slight decrease in baking powder or soda, a slight decrease in fat / sugar, and/or a slight increase in liquid ingredients and flour. Adjustments for cakes can be made by adding all-purpose flour and liquid.
Source: Colorado State University.
Cookies & Cakes
Be sure to adjust the recipe to "high altitude baking" usually in small font somewhere on your cake mix boxes, cookies or brownies. Cookies can often be improved by a slight increase in baking temperature, a slight decrease in baking powder or soda, a slight decrease in fat / sugar, and/or a slight increase in liquid ingredients and flour. Adjustments for cakes can be made by adding all-purpose flour and liquid.
Source: Colorado State University.
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