Denver is located at 5,280 feet above sea level and Evergreen sits at 7,220. To enjoy your time in Colorado to the fullest, please read through some of the tips below on visiting a destination at high elevation:

The sun is strong at high elevation! A 50 degree day can feel like 80 degrees in the sunshine, and your skin can burn quickly. We recommend wearing sunscreen while you are out and about during the day. The weather can also change very quickly in the mountains. Keep an eye on the forecast to avoid getting surprised on a hike by common afternoon storms. Temperatures drop quickly after the sun goes down, so we recommend bundling up if you plan to be out after dark.

Your body loses water through respiration at high altitude about twice as fast as it does at sea level.

We recommend drinking twice as much water as you typically do, a few days before your arrive and throughout your entire stay.

The effective oxygen level in Denver and Evergreen is approximately 30% less than at Sea Level.

You may notice simple activities like walking or going up a few flights a stairs make you out of breath. Keep this in mind when selecting your daily activities. If you are hiking and begin to feel symptoms of altitude sickness, return to lower altitude, continue to hydrate, and consider finding some shade and escaping the sun.

If you plan to drink alcohol while in Colorado (we'll have plenty flowing at the wedding), hydration is extra important! For those traveling from low sea level your body may not be able to process alcohol as easily. Especially if your body hasn't had much time to acclimate to the reduced oxygen levels and low humidity. Many travel guides recommend easing into drinking (waiting 24-48 hours after arriving, or at least starting slow). We suggest drinking extra water if you plan to drink alcohol. Your body will thank you in the morning!

If you have been to high elevation before and know you get altitude sickness, we recommend easing into the higher altitude by staying a night in Denver before heading to Evergreen. Please hydrate well before your travels as well as during your entire stay in Evergreen and Colorado.