Does Aspen's altitude affect visitors? What should I know before I arrive?

Aspen is genuinely high.. 7,908 feet in town, and well over 11,000 feet if you head up the mountain. It's completely normal to notice it: a headache, feeling more tired than usual, trouble sleeping, or getting winded faster than you would at home. This isn't about being out of shape, even serious athletes feel it here. A few things actually help: drink more water than feels necessary (dehydration makes altitude symptoms worse and is easy to mistake for altitude sickness itself), add electrolytes to your daily routine, go easy on alcohol and caffeine for your first day or two, and don't plan your hardest hike for day one, let your body catch up first. If you want a little extra help, Ute Mountaineer downtown sells portable oxygen canisters, a popular, no-prescription option a lot of visitors pick up on arrival. Most people feel noticeably better within a day or two. If symptoms are severe or getting worse rather than better, don't push through it, see a doctor.