High school distance runners have more camp options than ever, and one of the most consequential choices is between domestic altitude programs — concentrated in Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon — and international programs, primarily in the European Alps. Neither is universally better. They serve different purposes, operate at different price points, and suit different athletes at different stages of development.
This article compares the two categories honestly, covering what each offers, what each costs, and how to decide which fits your runner's needs right now.
Domestic Altitude Camps: What They Offer
The United States has several established altitude training destinations with strong camp programs serving high school runners.
Programs like Peak Performance Running in Keystone, Colorado operate at approximately 9,200 feet — the upper end of the productive altitude range. NAU's Project Gold in Flagstaff, Arizona runs at approximately 7,000 feet, benefiting from Northern Arizona University's storied distance running tradition and its proximity to professional training groups. Adams State in Alamosa, Colorado (approximately 7,500 feet) offers another established option. Various Nike-affiliated camps and independent programs round out a landscape with genuine breadth.
What domestic programs do well. Cost is typically lower, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 for most programs. Logistics are simpler — domestic flights, no passport required, shorter travel times. Many programs have large alumni networks, creating social connections and training group options. Affiliation with college programs provides exposure to specific schools and coaching staffs. And for families and athletes new to the camp format, the reduced logistical complexity and proximity to home lower the barriers to entry.
What to understand going in. Many domestic programs are shorter — five to ten days — which limits the physiological altitude adaptation that longer exposures can produce. Group sizes are often larger, which affects the coaching ratio and level of individual attention. The experience is typically focused on training within a familiar cultural context, which is appropriate for many athletes but different from the immersive quality of international programming.
International Running Camps: What They Offer
International altitude programs for high school runners are a newer phenomenon, concentrated primarily in the European Alps — St. Moritz, Switzerland; Sestriere, Italy; and Font Romeu, France being the most established training destinations. Programs in Kenya and Ethiopia exist for post-collegiate and professional athletes but are generally not designed for high school runners.
What international programs do well. The experience is immersive — athletically, culturally, and personally. Durations tend to be longer (two weeks or more), aligning with the research on altitude adaptation timelines. Cohorts are typically smaller, enabling lower coaching ratios and more personalized attention. Training alongside (or in the footsteps of) professional athletes at established altitude destinations provides context and motivation. And the independence and cultural engagement involved in spending two or more weeks in a foreign country has developmental value that extends well beyond running fitness.
What to understand going in. Cost is higher, typically $5,000 to $10,000 or more when factoring in international flights. Logistics are more complex — passport requirements, longer travel times, time zone adjustment. The distance from home introduces anxiety for some families and athletes, particularly those new to international travel. And the immersive, intensive nature of extended international programs requires a level of maturity and readiness that not every athlete possesses at every stage.
Key Factors Compared
Several dimensions help clarify which category better matches a given athlete's needs and circumstances.
Cost. Domestic programs typically range from $1,500 to $3,500. International programs typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. On a per-day basis, the difference narrows — a $3,000 seven-day domestic camp costs approximately $430 per day, while a $7,000 fourteen-day international camp costs approximately $500 per day. But total cost matters to family budgets, and domestic programs are meaningfully more accessible.
Duration. Domestic camps typically run five to ten days. International programs typically run two to four weeks. As discussed in the altitude research, duration directly affects whether physiological adaptation — the primary rationale for altitude training — actually occurs. Two weeks is the evidence-based minimum. Families selecting a domestic program for altitude benefits should assess whether the duration is sufficient for their goals.
Group size and coaching ratio. Domestic programs vary widely — some operate with large groups and broad ratios, others with smaller cohorts and more personalized attention. International programs, partially due to the logistics of operating abroad, tend to run smaller cohorts. The coaching ratio during actual training is the relevant metric, not the total participant count.
Altitude. Domestic options span a range from 5,300 feet (Boulder) to 9,200 feet (Keystone). International options typically fall in the 5,900-6,700 foot range (St. Moritz to Sestriere). The "optimal" elevation for most athletes — 6,000 to 8,500 feet — is accessible at both domestic and international locations. Very high domestic options (above 9,000 feet) provide a stronger stimulus but can impair training quality and recovery for some athletes.
Experience type. Domestic programs are training-focused within a familiar cultural context. International programs integrate training with cultural immersion, personal independence, and the broader developmental experience of navigating unfamiliar environments. Whether this matters depends on what you're seeking from camp.
When Domestic Makes More Sense
Budget is a primary consideration. Camp should be a positive investment, not a source of financial stress. Domestic programs offer genuine developmental value at a lower price point, and quality coaching is available without international logistics.
First-time camper. An athlete who hasn't attended any running camp before benefits from testing the format closer to home, with simpler logistics and less time away. Confirming that camp is a good fit before committing to an international program is a prudent approach.
Shorter available time. Not every family can commit two or more weeks to a summer camp. Domestic programs' shorter durations fit more scheduling constraints, even though they limit certain outcomes.
Seeking specific college exposure. Domestic camps affiliated with or hosted by college programs provide direct access to specific schools and coaching staffs. For athletes with targeted recruiting interests, this can be the most efficient path.
When International Makes More Sense
Seeking a broadly developmental experience. Families who value the combination of athletic training, personal growth, cultural immersion, and independence building will find that international programs deliver something domestic programs structurally can't. The experience of living and training in a foreign country for two or more weeks produces growth that goes beyond running performance.
The athlete is ready for independence. Teenagers who are mature enough to navigate unfamiliar environments, manage themselves with appropriate support, and engage with new cultures tend to thrive in international settings. The independence itself becomes a developmental outcome.
Two or more weeks is available. If the calendar allows for the duration that altitude adaptation research supports, international programs' longer timelines align with the science in ways that shorter domestic options don't.
Investment matches commitment level. For athletes who are genuinely serious about running and families who can make the investment comfortably, the combination of extended duration, small cohorts, personalized coaching, and immersive experience represents a qualitative difference in developmental depth.
Questions to Help You Decide
Rather than asking "which is better?" — a question with no universal answer — these more specific questions help clarify fit:
What are you primarily trying to accomplish? Fitness? Technique? Mental development? A broadly transformative experience? The answer points toward different program types.
How much time can your athlete commit? If two weeks isn't feasible, an international altitude program may not deliver the return its duration is designed to produce. A domestic program that fits the schedule may serve better.
What's your budget including all costs? International programs' total cost of attendance (tuition plus flights plus insurance plus spending money) can exceed the posted program fee by $1,500-$3,000. Calculate the complete picture.
Has your athlete been to camp before? Experience with the format reduces risk and helps families evaluate whether a larger investment is warranted.
How does your athlete handle new environments? Some teenagers find unfamiliarity energizing. Others find it stressful. Either response is normal, but it affects whether an international experience is productive at this particular moment.
Is the broader experience valuable to your family? If the cultural, personal, and independence dimensions of international travel are valued — not just tolerated — the program's return extends beyond running development.
What happens after — is there follow-up support? Programs that provide post-camp resources, continued coach access, and frameworks for applying camp learning at home deliver more lasting value than those where the relationship ends when the bus reaches the airport.
Where Sparks Fits
We run international running programs in Switzerland and Italy — two-week formats at altitude, with 1:3 coaching ratios, dedicated physiotherapy, and a self-coaching philosophy developed over 15 years. Our programs are premium, extended, and immersive. They're designed for serious high school runners seeking development that goes beyond mileage and pace.
We're honest about who we're right for: athletes with consistent training bases, genuine curiosity about the mental side of performance, readiness for independence and challenge, and families who value the full developmental experience. We're equally honest about who might be better served elsewhere, and we respect domestic programs for the important purposes they serve.
The goal isn't to "win" a comparison between domestic and international options. It's to help families find the right fit.
Neither domestic nor international running camps are universally superior. They serve different purposes at different price points for different athletes. Match the program to the athlete, the goals, and the circumstances — not to a brand name or a price tag.
If you're evaluating whether one of our international running programs fits your athlete, reach out at [phone/email]. We're happy to discuss specifics, including whether a domestic program might better serve your runner's current needs.
