Why Oxygen-Enrichment Trips to the Mountains Are Attracting More and More Athletes

In the mountains, the body functions differently. At higher altitudes, the air contains less available oxygen: the body must gradually adapt to this more demanding environment. This phenomenon, known as hypoxia, naturally prompts the body to optimize its functioning.  

As the days go by, breathing becomes deeper, the heart rate adjusts, and the body produces more red blood cells to better transport oxygen.  

This is one of the main reasons why many athletes choose high-altitude locations for their training camps. 

But beyond performance, many people are primarily seeking a more holistic experience: regaining their breath, recovering better, and getting back into a healthier routine. 

What often stands out during a sports trip to the mountains is the contrast with everyday life. 

The days start earlier to take advantage of the morning cool. Training takes place in open landscapes, far from indoor facilities or urban environments. And between sessions, the body recovers in a much calmer setting. 

In Tignes, for example, athletes can easily switch between running at high altitude, biking, hiking, relaxing by the lake, and more leisurely activities in the resort. 

This alternation between exertion and recovery is an integral part of the experience. 

There’s a lot of talk about the physical benefits of altitude, but the mental effects are often just as significant. 

Changing your surroundings, spending several days outdoors, and returning to a simpler daily routine can often help reduce the mental fatigue that builds up over the course of the year.  

In the mountains, days naturally revolve around exercise, rest, and time spent outdoors. Many athletes describe a feeling of being “reset” after just a few days. 

Triathlete Nicolas Rybaud, who is staying at Montagnettes in Tignes to prepare for his season, talks in particular about the pleasure of returning to a simple lifestyle that balances training, walks along the lake, and quieter moments at his lodging.  

Oxygen therapy programs aren't just for elite athletes. 

Running, trail running, cycling, active hiking, fitness training, or simply a need to get away from it all: everyone can tailor their trip to their goals and skill level. 

The mountains offer exactly that flexibility. Some days can be very physically demanding, while others are much easier, involving just a hike at high altitude or a quiet day of rest. 

It's often this balance that makes all the difference over the course of several days. 

At high altitudes, recovery is very important. The first few days often require some time to acclimate, especially above 2,000 meters. 

It's better to plan ahead: 

• Staying well-hydrated throughout the day 
• actual recovery times between activities 
• nights that are long enough 
• a diet tailored to physical activity 
• gradual sessions at the beginning of the stay 

The body adapts naturally, but you have to give it time to find its rhythm. 

High-altitude training camps are about more than just training. 

These are also moments when we rediscover the joy of simple things: walking along a lake in the morning, taking the time to cook, gazing at the mountain peaks after a hike, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet at the end of the day. 

This slower pace of life in the mountains contributes just as much to well-being as physical activity itself.