got stuck in Keystone, Colorado, pt 2

We woke up early and headed out to Keystone (http://keystone.snow.com/info/mtninfo.asp) for some 'heavy duty' out-west skiing.  We were supposed to be invited to Vail (with free hotel) but we didn't have enough time on our vacation.  We wanted to spend more time on the slopes.  The drive is only 1 1/2 hrs away from Denver.

Erik and his younger brother started early in the morning with a heated discussion that the snowboards should be tied securely on top of the truck.

  The younger brother heed the warning and on we went.   A minutes into our drive through highway 25 North, the snowboard flew out and landed inthe middle of the highway.  Hundreds of cars are zooming by and Erik's brother (who requested to remain NAMELESS in this blog) was now concern that the cars were diffinately going to hit him.  Think of the game 'Frogger' and him trying to cross the busy street.  There was a break in traffic and luckily he was able to retrieved the board. That was the 'highlight' of our car driving adventure that day. 

Our ears were popping on the ride up.  Keystone Mountain is on 11,980 feet elevation.  We even stopped by the Continental Divide fault for photo-op which is 11,990 feet elevation.  Renting the skis and getting lift tickets took a while.

  Krystal really wanted to do some snow shoeing but it was closed for the season.  She ended up taking a beginners ski class.  The bunny slope was actually located in the middle of the mountain instead of being near the base lodge.  I stayed with the guys on my first run to get my 'ski legs' working.

I haven't skied for one year.  On our second run, the guys decided to try a black diamond slope with moguls.  I told them that I sucked at moguls,  They insisted that I can do it with a slow pace.  So, I took the challenged.  Almost every 15 to 20 feet I was falling down or popping out of my skis.  By the middle of the mountain, I can feel the pain on my knees.  I kinda wanted to cry becasue I should have stood my ground that I can't do moguls.  Fatigue took over and I sat on the slope, planted my skis up-right and waited till a fellow skier called Patroll for HELP.

  I felt like the mountain defeated me that moment.  I manage to make it down on my own but at least I didn't break a bone at this black diamond slope.

At my third run, I stayed mostly on the blue areas.  I think from the summit, it took me about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the base lodge.  I was getting de-hydrated this time.  I thought I was going to pass out.  I made it to the base and drank alot of water.  My toes were also frozen at that time.  I stayed in the base lodge for about 1 hour to defrost my toes.  A nice lady was able to give me some hot coal packs for my socks.  I met a family (young dad & his 2 kids) from Florida vacationing in Keystone.  They were so cute.  His kids could both could ski.  I was supposed to meet up with the group at 3:30 pm at the Summit House, but nobody really showed up.  So for my last run, I stayed mainly on the blue areas.  But bummer, I ended up at the wrong base lodge!!!  I was walking about with my achy legs and tired body with all my equipment on me.  Thankfully, I found a shuttle bus to take me to my base lodge - River Run.  At the end of the day at Erik's place, the 3 of us were happy watching a dvd movie and eating our YUMMY El Jardin leftovers.