Once upon a time, your best friend, spouse, lover or all of the above invited you on a downhill ski trip. Eager to please, you went along. Upon arrival, you proceeded to the equipment rental shop, where you were "fitted" for a pair of ski boots. As you squeezed into the equivalent of two iron foot girdles, you knew that if you ever auditioned for the role of one of Cinderella's stepsisters, you have something you can use.

Next you waited, in sub-zero temperatures, on the lift-line. Once you got on the lift, you discovered that you have this fear of heights. Then the lift stopped because of "mechanical difficulties." As it swayed back and forth, you wondered if you were having fun yet. Yet you love going on vacation with your friend\spouse \lover. Can this relationship be saved? Yes it can! It's called cross-country skiing in Keystone.

Picture this: No lift lines, no awkward and heavy skis and no uncomfortable boots. Imagine gliding through the glistening snow, surrounded by the quiet and pristine splendor of the Keystone Nordic Ski Resort. Cross-country skiing has a shorter learning curve than downhill.  Not only is it safer than downhill, it burns more calories. Nordic skiers hike uphill, which explains their gorgeous butts and slim thighs.

Now let's plan for your Keystone cross-country ski trip.  You'll be traveling to a high altitude environment.  Since walking around with an oxygen tank can make you look like a dork, altitude sickness prevention should start prior to your trip. While Keystone's Nordic ski area is at a somewhat lower elevation than the alpine, cross-country skiing will require significantly more exertion, so get involved in an aerobic fitness program prior to your trip.

Starting one week prior to your trip, begin increasing your water consumption. Although the research is a bit sketchy, some people believe that avoiding beer and red meat will make you less susceptible to altitude sickness. Others swear by taking ginkgo. There is an altitude sickness drug called Diamox, but it can be dangerous for anyone who is allergic to sulfa drugs. Diamox has also been known to make your beer taste "skunky," so you might want to consider other options. Some experts claim that sleeping at a lower altitude can be helpful. If you know that you are susceptible to altitude sickness, you can stay in nearby Dillon or Summit Cove. Another option is to spend a day in Denver or Boulder before heading to Keystone, or simply take it easy on your first day. Now let's talk about Keystone cross-country skiing.

If you plan to stay at one of Keystone's lodging venues, you'll receive a free Adventure Passport, which gives you great discounts on Nordic trail fees, equipment rentals and lessons. If you're bringing the kids, you might want to start with an old fashioned family tubing session. This is a particularly good idea for families from snow starved areas such as Texas or Florida. The sensation of gliding on the snow is unique. It can be frightening to some children, and, while they won't admit it, testosterone-heavy adults. A snow tube session allows you to "become one" with the sensual sensation of snow-gliding.
 Keystone offers the Polar Bear program for kids 6-12. For $35, they receive an equipment rental as well as a 45 minute lesson. Although this sounds short, be advised that kids sometimes have a shorter attention span and energy level, so 45 minutes is sufficient.

The Keystone Nordic Center also offers Friday Ladies Days. These women-only clinics feature cross-country skiing in the morning and snowshoeing or ice skating in the afternoon. The cost is $55 for lessons, equipment and lunch. Regular group cross-country ski lessons cost $38 for the trail fee and equipment rental. However, if you would prefer a bit of privacy, $49 buys a private lesson. Both of theses lesson plans are eligible for a $5 discount with the Adventure Passport. Call 970-496-42t5 for details.

Keystone has over 16 kilometers of groomed trails. The adventurous can take advantage of its 57 kilometers of backcountry trails, which explore the ghost mining towns of the Montezuma area. The well-plowed Keystone Gulch Trail receives over 200 inches of snow, and thus retains its cover in late season. It ascends the Keystone Gulch Road and ends at one of the Keystone downhill ski lifts in a back bowl. However, it avoids contact with the main Keystone downhill area.  This is an excellent trail for families with children or novice Nordic skiers, since the grade is less steep than other trails.

Unlike the crazed cafeterias of downhill ski resorts, the Keystone Nordic Soup Bistro is a comfy and mellow cafe, where you can enjoy a soup buffet lunch. Here, a warm cup of cocoa takes the chill out of a cold day. In general, Nordic skiers tend to be a bit "crunchier' than their alpine brothers and sisters. If the idea of going downhill fast does not appeal to you, consider a cross country ski vacation at Keystone.

This guide to Nordic adventures in Keystone was brought to you by Lisa Marie Mercer.