When could high elevations, like those at some of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic venues, impact you?
“Typically that 6000 ft to 8000 ft range is where the effects kind of start to really occur,” says Neal B. Goldenberg, MD, MA, an orthopaedist at Cheshire Medical Center.
And while Olympic athletes may not be affected by these altitudes if they have been training at altitude in anticipation of the Olympic games, when you live or train closer to sea level and then go to elevations well above, you can be impacted.
Here’s what to know.
Altitudes for this year’s 2026 Winter Olympics
Olympic venues near the Cortina d’Ampezzo town center include:
- Vertigine Downhill Start: 2,380m (7,808 ft)
- Tofana Peak (Cable Car Top): 3,244m (10,643 ft)
- Livigno Snow Park: 1,816m (5,958 ft)
- Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena: ~1,600m (5,249 ft)
- Tesero Cross-Country Stadium: 830m (2,723 ft)
The athletes should be fine, says Goldenberg. Even for the downhill start, racers won’t be spending long enough at the top of the course for the altitude to cause any sort of impact, he expects.
But for the non-professional athlete not adequately prepared, the altitudes of Tofano Peak or the start of the Vertigine Downhill would be harder to acclimatize to.
How less oxygen in the air affects you
The main reason that some people struggle at exercising at higher altitudes is that the air contains less oxygen. For some people, that decrease in oxygen can start to be felt around 5,000 ft, but more common are mild effects at 6,000 ft to 8,000 ft. While most people may adapt quickly, others may feel a mild headache, some fatigue, and dehydration. Decreased physical performance, increased heart rate, and breathlessness may occur, especially during exertion.
As altitudes increase, so does the chance of feeling the effects. At 8,000 ft, the risk of altitude sickness, or what is sometimes called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), increases significantly. These symptoms can include:
- A more acute headache
- Greater fatigue and weakness
- More shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Mild swelling in the hands, feet, or face.
When left unrecognized and untreated, AMS can worsen. Among the worst-case scenarios are high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which can be life-threatening.
HACE symptoms include extreme fatigue, drowsiness, confusion, and loss of coordination. If you develop these symptoms, you must immediately go to a lower elevation.
Signs of HAPE include shortness of breath, weakness, and cough. If you develop HAPE, you should also immediately move—or be moved—to a lower elevation, and you will likely need treatment with oxygen.
Who’s most at risk of being affected by altitude?
“Most people are probably just fine at 4000 ft, but those with some underlying conditions may feel even that altitude change,” says Goldenberg.
For example, people with COPD or who have difficulty oxygenating in any way can struggle with even a slight elevation increase.
“Those with underlying heart conditions, like angina, may also feel effects at lower altitudes because their ability to pump blood and oxygen to their muscles just isn't as great,” says Goldenberg.
If you plan to go to 8,000 ft or higher, are not a well-trained athlete, and live close to sea level, you will probably feel some effects. If you have some pre-existing medical conditions, you should talk to your health provider first. For example, talk with your doctor if you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes (which may be difficult to manage at higher elevations), or if you are pregnant.
Once more, people with sickle cell anemia and severe pulmonary hypertension should avoid going to high altitudes altogether, says the CDC Yellow Book, High Elevation Travel Altitude Illness
How to minimize effects
All that said, if you are relatively healthy and planning to venture into higher altitudes, you can prepare by drinking water beforehand, and you should continue drinking plenty of water once you arrive.
“You need to hydrate, as dry air accelerates dehydration,” says Goldenberg. Even top athletes make a point to do that.
In addition to staying active at lower levels and keeping your muscles strong (which can be more prone to cramping from lactic acid build-up), don’t forget about diet and sleep.
“Having enough energy is really important, and so is getting a good night's sleep, because you won’t sleep as well,” he says.
Goldenberg also recommends that when you arrive at higher altitudes, especially at 8,000 ft or above, you take time to acclimatize and don’t assume you will be acclimated after a few nights. “It takes weeks to do that fully,” he says, even if your sleep does start to improve after three or four nights.
Even if you do take it easy the first few days, you will likely still feel the effects of being at a higher altitude. When you exercise, your breathing may become more labored, you may tire more easily, and you might develop lactic acid buildup in your muscles, leading to cramping.
To mitigate the effect of altitude, try to avoid alcohol and sedatives, as these can worsen symptoms and sleep quality. And don’t be afraid to use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headaches, if needed.
If you’re hiking to high elevations, moving too quickly can worsen effects, so ascend gradually.
Also, be aware that medicines are available to prevent acute mountain sickness and shorten the time it takes to get used to high elevations.
Talk to your doctor about which medicine is best for you, given your medical history and trip plans.
The mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont
End of the day, know, too, that if you’re not planning to go to the Italian Alps or travel far afield anytime soon, your risk of altitude sickness is pretty low in New Hampshire and Vermont.
The highest elevation in New Hampshire is Mount Washington, at 6,288 ft. All the state’s other mountains are under 6,000 ft. Vermont’s highest peak is Mount Mansfield, which is just below 4,400 ft.
So if you don’t have any pre-existing conditions, hydrate, keep your energy reserves up, get adequate rest, and don’t push yourself too hard or too fast on your local mountain climbs, you shouldn't be too affected by the changing altitude. If you do tire toward the top, know the altitude is likely not the only culprit, so give yourself some grace and allow yourself the time you need to recover.
