| o is the highest state in America. Denver rests at | | | | Colorado is the highest state in America. Denver rests |
| 5,280 feet, and many mountain towns sit above 9,000. | | | | at 5,280 feet, and many mountain towns sit above |
| At these lofty heights, the sun is stronger and the air | | | | 9,000. At these lofty heights, the sun is stronger and |
| thinner, but the adventure that much more exciting. To | | | | the air thinner, but the adventure that much more |
| play in this high altitude state, though, it's best to | | | | exciting. To play in this high altitude state, though, it's |
| prepare before you visit, especially in winter. | | | | best to prepare before you visit, especially in winter. |
| Although Colorado's ski and snowboard resorts are | | | | Although Colorado's ski and snowboard resorts are |
| known for their light, fluffy powder and blue-sky days, | | | | known for their light, fluffy powder and blue-sky days, |
| the sun, snowstorms and wind can take a toll on your | | | | the sun, snowstorms and wind can take a toll on your |
| body. Do your nose and other extremities a favor, get | | | | body. Do your nose and other extremities a favor, get |
| smart about mountain wear. Here are some | | | | smart about mountain wear. Here are some |
| suggestions for what to pack on your winter excursion | | | | suggestions for what to pack on your winter excursion |
| to Colorado: | | | | to Colorado: |
| Hat. Whether you're on the slopes or just walking | | | | Hat. Whether you're on the slopes or just walking |
| around in town, bring a hat for two reasons: 1) Like you | | | | around in town, bring a hat for two reasons: 1) Like you |
| learned in grade school, you lose most of your body | | | | learned in grade school, you lose most of your body |
| heat through your head; 2) A brimmed hat will do | | | | heat through your head; 2) A brimmed hat will do |
| wonders to deflect harmful rays from easily burned | | | | wonders to deflect harmful rays from easily burned |
| extremities like your nose and cheeks. | | | | extremities like your nose and cheeks. |
| Sunscreen. Colorado doesn't have many gray, | | | | Sunscreen. Colorado doesn't have many gray, |
| overcast days, unless there's a snowstorm blowing in. | | | | overcast days, unless there's a snowstorm blowing in. |
| The sun shines all winter. With that in mind, pack - and | | | | The sun shines all winter. With that in mind, pack - and |
| slather on generously - the heavy-duty sunscreen (at | | | | slather on generously - the heavy-duty sunscreen (at |
| least SPF 25), and make sure it's the UVB | | | | least SPF 25), and make sure it's the UVB |
| UVA-blocking kind. | | | | UVA-blocking kind. |
| Eyewear. On the same note, bring sunglasses/goggles | | | | Eyewear. On the same note, bring sunglasses/goggles |
| with good UVA- and UVB-blocking capability. Read the | | | | with good UVA- and UVB-blocking capability. Read the |
| label before you buy. If you've ever had your eyes | | | | label before you buy. If you've ever had your eyes |
| burned by the sun or by the ray's tricky reflection off | | | | burned by the sun or by the ray's tricky reflection off |
| the snow, you'll never leave home without these trusty | | | | the snow, you'll never leave home without these trusty |
| companions. Ski goggles will also protect your eyes | | | | companions. Ski goggles will also protect your eyes |
| from the wind, chilly temperatures and snow when you | | | | from the wind, chilly temperatures and snow when you |
| take that first faceplant. | | | | take that first faceplant. |
| Water-wickers. If you're going to be out on the slopes | | | | Water-wickers. If you're going to be out on the slopes |
| or doing something athletic, make sure you invest in a | | | | or doing something athletic, make sure you invest in a |
| water-wicking base layer - not cotton. Movement | | | | water-wicking base layer - not cotton. Movement |
| fabrics that were once considered high-tech are today | | | | fabrics that were once considered high-tech are today |
| commonplace and reasonably priced. Any major | | | | commonplace and reasonably priced. Any major |
| outdoor store will have these polypropylene-based | | | | outdoor store will have these polypropylene-based |
| undergarments that absorb sweat and wick it away | | | | undergarments that absorb sweat and wick it away |
| from your skin. | | | | from your skin. |
| Other mountain safety tips: | | | | Other mountain safety tips: |
| 1. Drink plenty of water. In high altitudes your body | | | | 1. Drink plenty of water. In high altitudes your body |
| needs, but doesn't always crave, more liquids. | | | | needs, but doesn't always crave, more liquids. |
| Hydrating is especially important when you're losing | | | | Hydrating is especially important when you're losing |
| additional moisture by sweating. Drinking lots of water | | | | additional moisture by sweating. Drinking lots of water |
| can also help prevent altitude sickness - symptoms | | | | can also help prevent altitude sickness - symptoms |
| range from headache to nausea - which visitors | | | | range from headache to nausea - which visitors |
| sometimes experience. | | | | sometimes experience. |
| 2. Don't count on the forecast. Weather changes very | | | | 2. Don't count on the forecast. Weather changes very |
| quickly in Colorado. Don't try to outsmart nature - you'll | | | | quickly in Colorado. Don't try to outsmart nature - you'll |
| seldom win. Always pack for varied elements and | | | | seldom win. Always pack for varied elements and |
| learn the rules of mountain travel. | | | | learn the rules of mountain travel. |
| 3. Bring a map. With lots of rural areas, high mountain | | | | 3. Bring a map. With lots of rural areas, high mountain |
| passes and a web of dirt roads without gas stations, | | | | passes and a web of dirt roads without gas stations, |
| Colorado can be a challenging place to drive anytime | | | | Colorado can be a challenging place to drive anytime |
| of the year. But in winter weather, roads can become | | | | of the year. But in winter weather, roads can become |
| even trickier. Make sure you or your driver is a good | | | | even trickier. Make sure you or your driver is a good |
| route-finder, that you have a map and that if possible | | | | route-finder, that you have a map and that if possible |
| you stock your car with emergency items like a | | | | you stock your car with emergency items like a |
| blanket, extra fuel and a cell phone. Consider taking | | | | blanket, extra fuel and a cell phone. Consider taking |
| shuttles to your mountain destinations. | | | | shuttles to your mountain destinations. |