Being a patient who’s undergoing oxygen therapy, you’re probably wondering what to use for a dry nose. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that can help.
Published by Summit Oxygen, Inc. in Frisco, CO. Reviewed by owner Jeff Miller, Certified Respiratory Therapist, with over 25 years of experience in oxygen therapy.
If this is your first trip to the Colorado high country, there’s a good chance somebody has mentioned an oxygen bar to you. Maybe a friend who skis Breckenridge raved about it. Maybe your hotel concierge dropped the suggestion when you mentioned a headache. Maybe you saw a sign in Frisco and wondered what was actually going on inside.
The short answer is that an oxygen bar can be a genuinely helpful way to take the edge off altitude, especially in your first day or two in the mountains. The longer answer depends on who you are, how your body is reacting, and what you want out of your trip. Here’s an honest guide to help you decide.
An oxygen bar is a relaxed setting where guests breathe concentrated oxygen, usually around 90 to 95 percent pure, through a lightweight nasal cannula. (For reference, the air you’re walking around in is about 21 percent oxygen.) The oxygen passes through a diffuser that adds a light natural scent before it reaches you, so the experience smells pleasant rather than clinical.
Sessions typically run 10 to 15 minutes. You sit, you breathe, you pick a scent you like, and you walk out feeling lighter than when you came in. At Summit Oxygen we offer scents like Wild Berry, Mint, Citrus, Raspberry, Peach, and Cinnamon Apple, all tea-based and natural. No alcohol, no pressurized equipment, nothing dramatic. Just a calm pause that gives your body more of the one thing it’s short on at altitude.
Some first-time mountain visitors notice altitude more than others. You’re a strong candidate for an oxygen bar session if any of these describe you:
If any of that sounds like you, a 10 to 15 minute session is a low-effort experiment with real upside.
The setup is friendlier than most people expect. At our Frisco location, you’ll walk in, get greeted by an attendant, and pick a scent from our menu. The attendant will hand you a fresh nasal cannula and show you how to position it, then start the flow. You sit back, breathe normally, and chat or relax for the length of your session.
If you’re trying an oxygen bar at an event we’ve catered, the experience is similar. Our mobile setups come with either a venue-provided table and chairs or our own lighted bar and stools, depending on the package the host chose. Either way, a Summit Oxygen attendant brings the equipment, handles the setup, and walks every guest through the process.
Most people start to feel the effects within a few minutes. Energy comes back, the foggy feeling fades, the headache eases. The effects often last for a couple of hours, sometimes longer, depending on the person.
A few practical tips for first-timers. Hydrate well before and after your session, because dry mountain air pulls more moisture out of you than you realize. Go easy on alcohol that first day; it’ll undo a lot of what the session does for you. Don’t skip meals before showing up, even if you’re not hungry, because low blood sugar at altitude makes everything worse. And pick a scent that sounds appealing to you rather than overthinking it. The aroma is part of why the session feels relaxing.
For healthy adults, yes. The oxygen is delivered at a low, unpressurized flow, the sessions are short, and the equipment is professionally managed. If you have a respiratory condition, check with your doctor first.
Most guests notice a difference within the first few minutes. Common feedback includes more energy, a clearer head, and a sense of relaxation. Some people feel it longer than others, but the effects often last a couple of hours after you leave.
It can ease mild symptoms like headache, fatigue, and grogginess that many first-time mountain visitors experience. It isn’t a cure for altitude sickness, and severe cases still call for medical attention.
Walk-ins are welcome at our Frisco location. If you’re planning a wedding, corporate retreat, or private event and want a mobile oxygen bar on-site, reaching out in advance is the way to go so we can plan equipment and staffing for your group.
For event bookings, our packages range from $650 to $2,300 depending on the setup you choose, the size of your group, and the location. Reach out and we’ll put together pricing that matches what you’re planning.
If you’re new to the Colorado mountains and curious whether an oxygen bar is right for you, the easiest way to find out is to come see us. Visit our Frisco, CO location for a walk-in session, or book our mobile oxygen bar for your wedding, corporate retreat, or family gathering anywhere in Summit, Eagle, or Grand County.
Call us at (970) 468-0142 or request a quote online. With over 25 years of respiratory experience and a Certified Respiratory Therapist on the team, you’ll get honest guidance about whether a session is the right call for your visit, and a friendly welcome either way.