BRECKENRIDGE CLIMATE Breckenridge enjoys a high-alpine climate. Tree line ends at 11,500 feet in the neighboring mountainsides. The average winter daytime high temperature is 28°F. Despite the town’s hardy winter conditions, Breckenridge has an average summer daytime high temperature of 70°F. The valley basin has only 30 frost-free days a year. It is the deep powder, snowy winters and warm, low humidity summers that have led to the local saying, “We came here for the skiing, but summers are why we stay.”
Temperature Average Statistics provided by Skyview
Weather Meteorological Consultants, Castle Rock, CO
Month January February March April May June July
August November
High Low 32°F 0°F 35°F
2°F
39°F 8°F 48°F 17°F 59°F 69°F 75°F
September 67°F October
December 34°F
10°F 3°F
25°F 31°F 37°F
73°F 36°F 29°F
56°F 20°F 41°F
Breckenridge Ski Resort 9 Year Average
Average
Snowfall 58.2” 50.6” 46.0” 46.1” 12.3” 7.0” 0 0
3.5” 7.0”
39.5” 35.7”
Base 50.8” 64.4” 73.2” 78.0” 69.9” - - - -
18.0” 25.6” 36.9”
HEALTH EFFECTS OF HIGH ALLTITUDE Welcome to Summit County! At the high elevations of the Colorado Mountains,
everyone is affected by altitude to some degree. As you go to higher altitudes, the barometric pressure decreases, the air is thinner, and less oxygen is available. The air is also dryer and the ultraviolet rays from the sun are stronger. At elevations of 8,000 plus feet, your body responds by breathing faster and more deeply, resulting in shortness of breath, especially on exertion. Many people develop mild symptoms of headache, nausea, troubled sleep, and unusual tiredness, which we call acute mountain sickness or AMS. These symptoms usually go away in a day or two. If symptoms are severe, persist, or worsen you should contact a doctor. A short visit to a physician may save the rest of your vacation. A more serious condition is called high altitude pulmonary edema or HAPE. This
condition is recognized by a wet cough, increasing shortness of breath, and the felling of fluid building up in your lungs. Other symptoms may include disorientation or confusion. If you feel any of these symptoms developing, you need to seek medical attention immediately. HAPE is easy to treat but can be life threatening if left untreated.
Following these recommendations can decrease the effects of high altitude: Increase fluid intake. Drink 2-3 times more fluid than usual. Water and juices are best. Adequate hydration is key to preventing altitude illness. Drink enough fluids to urinate approximately every two hours.
Avoid alcohol and minimize caffeine on arrival day and 1-2 days thereafter. At this altitude, you may be much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and sedatives (alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating).
Decrease salt intake. Salt causes the body to retain fluid (edema) which increases altitude illness severity.
Eat frequent small meals high in carbohydrates, low in fat and low in protein. Moderate physical activity and get plenty of rest. Medications and oxygen can help you feel much better. Diamox is a prescription drug, which prevents the unpleasant symptoms for many people. Consult with your physician for dosage and possible side effects.
Studies have shown that spending 1-2 nights at a moderate altitude or 5000- 6000 ft. decreases symptoms when you go to a higher altitude.
The effects of the sun are also much stronger at high altitudes, even in cold weather! Be sure to use sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. Information supplied by High Country Health Care, P.C., 970-547-9200
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