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Altitude Training Camps and Training Locations

Choosing the right altitude camp determines whether an altitude training block delivers its full effect. Pro teams book hotels in Sierra Nevada or Livigno; amateurs use Alpine regions within easy reach. What matters is elevation, route quality, LHTL lowland access, and integration into periodization. This guide presents the most important training locations and shows how riders can plan a camp effectively.

What makes a good training location?

An altitude camp combines a strong hypoxia stimulus with practical training logistics, safe infrastructure, and sufficient recovery quality.

Key selection criteria

  1. Accommodation elevation: 2,000–2,500 meters as the optimal compromise
  2. Lowland access for LHTL: descent below 1,200 meters within 30–60 minutes
  3. Route variety: long GA1 routes, climbs, and safe descents
  4. Weather stability: dry spring phases reduce lost training days
  5. Infrastructure: workshop, nutrition, medical care
  6. Accessibility: short travel without excessive jet lag

Important: A training location is only as good as its LHTL logistics. Those who sleep in Livigno but cannot regularly commute to the valley lose the central advantage of Live High Train Low.

Criterion
Minimum
Optimal
Pro standard
Sleep elevation
1,800 m
2,000–2,500 m
2,100–2,400 m
Lowland for intensive training
below 1,500 m
below 1,000 m in < 45 min
below 800 m, fixed commute times
GA1 route length
2–3 hours
4–6 hours
6+ hours, multiple variants
Accommodation
quiet room
nutrition, laundry service
team hotel with full support

The most important altitude camps worldwide

Pro teams use established locations because elevation, routes, and infrastructure align there.

Europe – Alps and Pyrenees

Training location
Elevation
Country
Strengths
Livigno
1,800 m
Italy
LHTL into Valtellina, long GA1 routes
St. Moritz
1,800–2,000 m
Switzerland
Flüela Pass, Bernina Pass, excellent infrastructure
Sierra Nevada
2,100–2,500 m
Spain
Strong hypoxia stimulus, mild spring climate
Teide / Tenerife
2,000–2,300 m
Spain
Warm year-round, LHTL into the valley possible
Andorra
1,900–2,100 m
Andorra
Pyrenees pass proximity, short travel

The Tour de Suisse and summer high-mountain stages are close to established training regions.

Other established locations

  • Flagstaff, Arizona (USA): 2,100 m, dry, strong mountain passes
  • Boulder, Colorado (USA): 1,650 m base, access to higher mountain passes
  • Valle de Bravo, Mexico: 2,600–2,800 m, strong stimulus for short camps for experienced athletes
Aspect
Europe
Overseas
Travel time
Short from Central Europe
Longer, jet lag possible
Costs
Moderate, established infrastructure
Variable, depending on region
Climate stability
Season-dependent (spring ideal)
Tenerife available year-round
LHTL options
Livigno, St. Moritz, Andorra
Sierra Nevada, Flagstaff, Teide

LHTL logistics: separating sleep and training

With Live High Train Low, topography determines success.

Sleep location
Intensive training
Commute time
Typical session
Livigno (1,800 m)
Bormio / Tirano (400–1,000 m)
30–45 min
Threshold and interval training
Sierra Nevada (2,100 m)
Granada (700 m)
45–60 min
Race simulation, FTP intervals
Teide (2,200 m)
Tenerife coast (0–200 m)
60–90 min
Intensive blocks on flat terrain
St. Moritz (1,800 m)
Chur (500–600 m)
40–55 min
Threshold training, tempo work

LHTL commute training – daily schedule:

  1. Breakfast at altitude
  2. Descent into the valley
  3. Warm-up below 1,000 m
  4. Intensive block in the lowlands
  5. Return ride and recovery at altitude

Pro teams schedule commute days firmly – often Wednesday and Friday for quality work, with aerobic endurance in between from the altitude accommodation.

Training locations by season goal

Preparation for Grand Tours

GC riders typically plan two blocks: winter (base) and three to four weeks before the Grand Tour. Sierra Nevada, Livigno, and Tenerife dominate this phase.

Recommended duration: 21–28 days | Sleep elevation: 2,000–2,400 m | Focus: GA1 at altitude, two quality days per week in the lowlands

Amateurs and club riders

Shorter stays (10–14 days) in easily accessible regions are often sufficient:

  • Bavarian Alps: Garmisch, Oberstdorf – 700–1,500 m, ideal as an entry point
  • Ötztal / South Tyrol: higher mountain passes, LHTL into the Inn Valley possible
  • Black Forest highlands: moderate elevation, affordable accessibility

Tip: Start with 10 days at 1,800 meters and check tolerance via performance diagnostics before planning longer blocks.

Infrastructure and typical weekly structure

Pro teams organize altitude camps like expedition bases. Key building blocks:

  • Single rooms, iron-rich nutrition, mechanics on site
  • Blood panel monitoring and AMS protocol
  • Sleep and recovery as fixed daily building blocks

Monday: Rest or light GA1 | Tuesday: Long GA1 (3–5 h) | Wednesday: LHTL intensive training | Thursday: Moderate GA1 | Friday: Second quality session | Saturday: Group ride | Sunday: Rest or short session

Nov–Dec
Lowland base
Jan–Feb
Tenerife or Sierra Nevada
Mar
Livigno
Jun
Camp before Grand Tour
Jul
Competition phase

Checklist: booking an altitude camp

  • Define season goal and time frame (end camp 10–14 days before target race)
  • Check sleep elevation and LHTL possibility
  • Reserve accommodation with quiet rooms
  • Research routes in advance on a map
  • Consider weather window (March–April in the Alps often ideal)
  • Equipment: warm gloves, sunscreen, rain kit
  • Nutrition: iron-rich diet, hydration plan for dry high-altitude air
  • Medical blood panel before and after camp
  • AMS emergency plan with descent route

Do not book accommodation solely because of elevation. Missing routes or lack of lowland access make even the nicest hotel an ineffective training camp.

Common mistakes

  1. Too high sleep elevation without acclimatization – headaches and poor sleep
  2. No lowland for LHTL – quality sessions fall through
  3. Stays too short – under 10 days, the full effect is often missing
  4. Wrong time of year – snow and road closures prevent GA1 sessions
  5. Return travel too late – supercompensation occurs 10–14 days after departure

Frequently asked questions about altitude camps:

  • Best duration? 3–4 weeks for pros, 10–14 days for amateurs as an entry point
  • Most affordable region for Germans? Alps – short travel, established infrastructure
  • LHTL without a car? Use shuttle services in Livigno and St. Moritz
  • Sierra Nevada vs. Livigno? Sierra Nevada: stronger hypoxia stimulus; Livigno: better logistics
  • Winter camp? Tenerife preferred – warm year-round and LHTL-capable

Conclusion

Sierra Nevada, Livigno, St. Moritz, and Tenerife are pro standards – Bavarian regions offer good entry points for amateurs. Those who consciously choose location, duration, and structure maximize the benefits of altitude training.

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