How to Adjust to Lake Tahoe’s High Altitude [What You Need to Know]

Considered a crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe’s high altitude is part of why it is such a popular destination.

In fact, the town of South Lake Tahoe is the 8th highest elevation of any city with a population of more than 20,000 people in the United States

Lake Tahoe’s altitude is 6,237 feet or 1,901 meters above sea level which means that it gets enough snow to feature 15 of California’s ski and snowboard areas.

Some of the area’s ski resorts like Heavenly have runs that are as high as 10,039 feet. The area is also home to some stunning peaks like Freel peak which sits at 10,881 feet.

While millions of tourists visit this beautiful high-altitude destination each year, many do feel the effects of the jump in altitude.

If you are visiting for the first time or if you’re planning a trip soon, you should get to know about the potential for altitude sickness and the challenges of spending time at Lake Tahoe’s high elevation.

Lake Tahoe’s Altitude

Lake Tahoe’s Elevation is 6,237 feet high or 1901 meters

Lake Tahoe is the largest Alpine lake in North America. It is also considered a “high lake” or a lake located above 6,000 feet.

High lakes are not as common as those located at sea level or below, but are relatively common in the high sierras in California.

This lake is located between California and Nevada and is split from north to south on this border.

While Lake Tahoe is considered high in elevation for a city, it is certainly lower in elevation than other California destinations like Mammoth Lakes, Big Bear, or Lassen National Park.

Even the highest peaks in the Tahoe Basin are dwarfed in comparison to peaks like Mount Whitney or Mount Shasta.

What is the Best Way to Adjust to Lake Tahoe’s High Altitude?

Disclaimer: We are not doctors and we are not offering medical advice. Rather, this is what we have done in the past on the many times we’ve visited Lake Tahoe.

Whether you are heading to Lake Tahoe for some powdery turns at one of the area’s ski resorts or are looking to hike some stunning trails, you may need to adjust to the higher altitude.

The air gets thinner the higher the elevation and you might feel the effects of lower oxygen levels even at the lower elevation at Lake Tahoe.

Here are a few tricks and tips to help you acclimatize to the areas of higher elevation and lower levels of oxygen.

Take 24 to 48 hours to adjust to the higher elevation by sitting at the beach or reading a book under a redwood tree before heading out for any strenuous exercise.

Hydration is a critical component of the adaptation process of getting used to the altitude in Tahoe. The body needs more water due to rapid breathing that takes place as your body is adjusting to the lower oxygen levels. The air is also dryer at higher elevations.

You are going to burn some extra calories while you are in Lake Tahoe just because you are breathing harder as you work harder for the lower amounts of oxygen.

Eat a healthy diet that is rich in quality carbohydrates that will give you the extra energy you need while you acclimate and when you head out for an adventure.

Dehydration and quality sleep are important in adjusting to the elevation in Lake Tahoe. A trip to this mountain destination can be a celebratory time especially if you visit the party environment near the casinos in South Lake Tahoe.

Hiking at High Elevation in Lake Tahoe

If you are not used to hiking at elevation, even the lower hikes around the lake will have you a little winded due to the lower oxygen levels in the air.

Although the altitude of Lake Tahoe is only at 6237 feet, many of the hikes can climb to an elevation well above this number.

At the lake level in Tahoe, the effective oxygen level of the air is 16.7% compared to 20.9% at sea level. This means that there is 20% less oxygen at Lake Tahoe than at the ocean.

At one of the higher elevations like Monument Peak which is 10,067 feet, the effective oxygen is only 14.3% or 36.6% less than sea level.

It is important to take it slow especially when you first hike in Lake Tahoe’s elevation and especially important to test out an easier hike before trying out one of the harder hikes to the higher elevation peaks.

Did you know that Lake Tahoe is 2 million years old? Find out more by reading the Fun Facts about Lake Tahoe

Drinking Alcohol at High Altitude

After a day spent on the slopes or lounging at Tahoe’s beautiful beaches, nothing beats a cold beer at the end of the day.

Good thing, they have a booming craft beer sector with Lake Tahoe’s breweries, brew pubs, and beer-friendly tap houses.

Have fun but be warned that alcohol and altitude which can both impair cognitive function can be a potent cocktail.

The common belief has been that drinking alcohol at high elevations causes the consumer to get drunk faster because less oxygen in the atmosphere means that your body will process the alcohol slower.

This in theory would mean that since the alcohol metabolizes slower your body would be able to absorb more.

Unfortunately, this line of thinking didn’t hold up to studies performed by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute in which they tested the effects of alcohol at sea level and at 12,000 feet with a controlled amount of vodka.

The results showed very little difference in the decrease in cognitive function for the higher elevation vs. the lower elevation.

Even though this study shows that alcohol and elevation do not team up to get you more intoxicated, the combination of altitude along with the cognitive decrease of adapting to elevation may cause you to feel the effects of the altitude a little stronger.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness in Lake Tahoe?

Also known as “mountain sickness,” altitude sickness is a set of symptoms that can occur if you ascend to high elevations too rapidly.

Although altitude sickness is usually mild at Lake Tahoe’s lower elevations, the areas at higher altitudes present an increased chance of feeling the symptoms of acute mountain sickness.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the symptomatic effects of AMS occur in a fairly high number of people that travel to high elevations.

What is considered high elevation is any altitude of 8000 feet or higher.

• At 8000 feet of elevation, 50% of people will get mild symptoms
• At 10,000 feet of elevation, 75% of people will get mild symptoms

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Lake Tahoe

There are ways to reduce your chance of experiencing altitude sickness in Lake Tahoe. One way is by acclimatization.

This involves going up in elevation slowly over a longer period of time. It is suggested to climb higher altitudes gradually to enable your body’s muscles and lungs to adjust.

If you are very susceptible to altitude sickness at lower elevations, plan not to do any strenuous activities and stay at lake level before heading up the mountain for any higher elevation activities.

Also, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol consumption as these can inhibit acclimatization.

For most people, there is no need to drive up to Lake Tahoe slowly or make an overnight stop in Nevada City unless you are really susceptible to altitude sickness.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness in Lake Tahoe

As you ascend to greater altitudes, the pressure of the air that surrounds you lowers, and the amount of oxygen available decreases.

The body then has to adapt to the lower oxygen levels which then can cause symptoms that will feel like a combination of a hangover and shortness of breath.

According to WebMD here are the common symptoms of mild AMS or acute mountain sickness to look out for.

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Sleeping issues
• Nausea
• Vomiting

There are other more severe forms of altitude sickness that can occur at high elevations that can be very serious which include High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).

Lake Tahoe Elevation

• Sierra at Tahoe Elevation: 6640 ft (base), 8852 ft (top)
• Heavenly Resort Elevation: 6255 ft (base), 10,067 ft (top)
• South Lake Tahoe Elevation: 6237 ft
• North Lake Tahoe Elevation: 6237 ft

Fast Facts about Lake Tahoe

• It is situated in Sierra Nevada Mountains
• Lake Tahoe is over two million years old
• It is 22 miles long and 12 miles broad
• It has a surface area of 105,000 acres
• It is the biggest alpine lake in North America.
• It has a water capacity of 39 trillion gallons.
• It is the second deepest lake in the USA at 1,645 feet.

To learn more fun facts about Lake Tahoe, check out this article.

FAQs about Altitude in Lake Tahoe

Is it harder to breathe in Lake Tahoe?

It is slightly harder to breathe in Lake Tahoe as there is 20% less oxygen in the air. Most people will not feel the effects of the lack of oxygen unless they participate in strenuous activities like hiking, running, or cycling.

Is Lake Tahoe considered high elevation?

Although Lake Tahoe is at an elevation of 6237 feet, it is considered to be at a medium elevation and not at a high elevation. For a destination to be considered high elevation it must be at least 8000 feet above sea level.

Wrap Up: Altitude at Lake Tahoe

This 2 million-year-old alpine lake destination is a must-visit for anyone who is living in or visiting California.

Lake Tahoe’s altitude sits at 6237 feet above sea level, but its majestic peaks that surround the lake spike up to elevations of 10,000 feet or more.

It’s safe to say that any trip to Lake Tahoe is going to include getting used to the lower oxygen levels that are present at such high heights.

Since you will need to relax and allow your body to get used to the altitude when visiting, consider checking out our list of the best beaches in Lake Tahoe.

This is the best way during the summertime to kick back and take in the scenery while adapting to being at a high elevation.