The Ultimate High-Altitude Hosting Guide
Prepping Your Home for Sea-Level Guests
Hosting at 5,000+ feet is an act of care. Your guests aren't just visiting a new place; they are entering a physiological environment their bodies aren't prepared for. As a host, your goal is to bridge the altitude gap.
Below is the expanded guide, featuring the advice your guests need to hear, (The Guest Advice) paired with the Host Tips—the behind-the-scenes preparations you should have ready before they arrive.
1. Hydration & The ‘Mountain Bar’
The Guest Advice: Drink an extra 1–1.5 liters of water daily. One alcoholic drink at altitude feels like three at sea level; skip the booze for the first 48 hours.
What the Host Should Have Ready:
The "Always-Full" Pitcher: Don't rely on your guests to refill their own glasses. Keep a large, chilled pitcher of water with lemon or cucumber on the kitchen counter or dining table at all times.
Electrolyte Buffet: Stock a small bowl with a variety of electrolyte packets (Liquid I.V., Pedialyte, or LMNT). Guests are more likely to use them if they are visible and easy to grab.
Non-Alcoholic "Fancy" Drinks: Since you’re asking them to limit alcohol, have a stash of high-end sparkling waters, kombucha, or mocktail ingredients.
2. Skin & Eye Care at High-Altitude
The Guest Advice: UV rays are 50% stronger here. Apply sunscreen every 2 hours, use lip balm constantly, and wear polarized sunglasses even when it’s cloudy.
What the Host Should Have Ready:
The Entryway SPF Station: Place a bottle of SPF 30+ (specifically one that is dermatologically recommended and ‘face-friendly’) right by the front door next to your keys. Guests often forget to apply it until they are already outside.
Lip Balm Basket: Buy a bulk pack of high-quality lip balms (look for beeswax or lanolin-based) and leave a few in the guest room. Guests often lose theirs, and dry lips can become painful overnight if not treated.
Spare Sunglasses: Keep a couple of pairs of loaner polarized sunglasses in your car or by the door. Visitors often bring fashion tints that aren't dark enough for high-altitude glare, especially if there is snow on the ground.
3. Physical Activity & The Adjustment Itinerary
The Guest Advice: Your heart rate will be 10–20% higher just sitting still. Rest more than you think you need to. If you are planning a hiking and camping trip while you are visiting, remember ‘Climb high, sleep low’ is the golden rule. This is a practice that emphasizes the importance of climbers ascending to higher altitudes during the day, but descending to lower altitudes for sleep. This allows the body to recover in an environment with greater oxygen levels, reducing the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
What the Host Should Have Ready:
The "Day 1" Movie List: Plan for a low-exertion first day. Have a list of movies or board games ready so your guests don't feel pressured to go for a mountain trail hike the moment they drop their bags.
Pulse Oximeter: These are inexpensive and can be a fun (and safe) way for guests to see how their oxygen saturation (SpO2) changes. It also helps you monitor if someone is truly struggling and needs to go to a lower elevation.
Extra Pillows: Sleeping at altitude is easier if the head is slightly elevated. Provide two or three firm pillows so guests can ‘prop up’ if they feel shortness of breath while lying flat.
4. Home Comforts: The Guest Sanctuary
The Guest Advice: Use the humidifier at night. Use canned oxygen if you feel lightheaded. Moisturize immediately after showering.
What the Host Should Have Ready:
Humidifier Maintenance: Ensure the guest room humidifier is cleaned and filled with distilled water before they arrive. Run it on high for two hours before they go to bed to prime the room.
Canned Oxygen: Leave a personal size canister of oxygen (like Boost Oxygen) on their nightstand. It’s a great conversation starter and provides immediate relief for that first-night at altitude lightheadedness.
Heavy Duty Lotion: Replace any scented lotions with a fragrance-free, ceramide-rich cream (like CeraVe or Eucerin). High-altitude skin is sensitive, and heavy creams are essential for stopping the itchiness that can come from staying at high, dry altitude.
Welcome to the Clouds Kit
A Summary Checklist
If you want to be the ultimate host, put these items in a small basket in the guest room:
[ ] 2-3 Cans of Oxygen
[ ] 4-5 Electrolyte Packets
[ ] A New Tube of Lip Balm (SPF 15+)
[ ] A Travel-size Sunscreen
[ ] A Note with your Wi-Fi password and a reminder to ‘Drink more water!’
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this series is for educational and informational purposes only. We provide helpful suggestions based on common resident experiences, not professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding physical exertion at altitude or environmental safety.
Is your kitchen ready for your guests?
Check out our kitchen page, full of recipes and tips for baking and cooking at altitude: The High-Altitude Kitchen | Master the Elevated Kitchen to learn how to adjust your favorite recipes for the mountains!
Master Life at Every Elevation
From how bread rises to how your body hydrates, living high up requires a different approach. Whether you’re looking to troubleshoot a fallen cake or want to optimize your wellness routine, we’ve got the high-altitude answers you need.
At Simply Altitude, we’re here to help you master the peaks.
Explore more resources below:
High Altitude Baking | Perfect your recipes with elevation-adjusted tips.
High Altitude Cooking | Master stovetop and oven techniques for mountain meals.
Gardening at High Altitude | Grow a lush, vibrant landscape in a thin-air climate.
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Living at High-Altitude Resource Guide | Baking, Gardening, and Thriving Above the Clouds