I live in Colorado at 5600' altitude. I have had occasion to fly in the mountains a couple of times, but have had lift issues, once at about 9'000 ft and once near tree-line - probably about 10,500 ft.
I've flown at 1000ft ground altitude before and not had any issues.
I have searched for any info about a known ceiling and performance expections at high altitude and am coming up empty.

I believe I've seen vids from ski slope half pipes so I think it 'can' fly at high altitudes, so am wondering if I have an issue with my rig, or perhaps those vids were shot with a more advanced copter?

Any insight would be helpful.

I do remember reading a DJI spec that 10,000 feet was the max. operating height....turning up the gains should help...

there is definitely more problems (shorter flights) at altitude.....

I have seen the Mount Everest video. I wonder what the highest above ground flight is.

Guessing wind will be your biggest issue.  Above Category 4 = no good!

Thanks all. I'd love to have a DJI admin weigh-in on this...

if 8000 feet or 17000 feet. Does it matter? Are you planing to go on a mountain that high to fly??

I live at 9600 feet and fly above that altitude all the time.

Inspire claims 4500 meters above sea level....which is very high!

Lots of discussions and experiences with the P2 at 10-12K feet and more..examples:
http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4146

droneflyers.com Posted at 2015-1-21 01:15
Inspire claims 4500 meters above sea level....which is very high!

Lots of discussions and experienc ...

Thanks, this is a good thread.
Apparently heat and humidity will effect all as well, and the battery life falls off dramatically at high altitude as well.

markus2015 Posted at 2015-1-21 00:52
if 8000 feet or 17000 feet. Does it matter? Are you planing to go on a mountain that high to fly??

Yes. I plan on flying at or above 10,000' quite a bit.
Hopefully with minimal failures, hence the thread.

dan.email Posted at 2015-1-21 06:32
Yes. I plan on flying at or above 10,000' quite a bit.
Hopefully with minimal failures, hence the  ...

The only thing I would worry about is the temperature at that altitude.

Batteries tend to perform poorly when extremely cold.

I just can reach 500 meters with the Inspire 1... Can I fly higher?? How???

gabogondi.gmail Posted at 2015-3-1 05:33
I just can reach 500 meters with the Inspire 1... Can I fly higher?? How???

This thread is discussing the height over SEA LEVEL that the quadcopters will still operate. In the USA (laws very elsewhere), we are limited to Line of Sight, meaning we have to be able to see the aerial vehicle.