National Ski Patrol & 10th Mountain Division Commemorate 80th Anniversary oOf Battle Of Riva Ridge With Historic “Hale to Vail” & “Legacy Weekend”

National Ski Patrol (NSP) and U.S. Army 10^th Mountain Division’s 80^th anniversary commemoration of the Riva Ridge assault on Feb. 18, 1945, as well as their legacy and service together, celebrating their training and roots in Colorado with OPERATION MOUNTAIN LEGACY week-long events including avalanche training, Hale to Vail, Cooper Hill Ski Daze, Torchlight Parade, and Vail Legacy Weekend.  Media are invited to attend, photograph, and interview. Click here to register.

WHO:   

The week-long commemoration, including “Hale to Vail” and “Legacy Weekend,” are the product of a historical partnership between National Ski Patrol, 10^th Mountain Division, 10^th Mountain Descendants, and other key stakeholders who will participate, including:

10^th Mountain Division

• 10th Special Forces Group
• Colorado Army National Guard
• 10th Mountain Division Descendants
• 10th Mountain Division Foundation
• 10^th Mountain Alpine Club

National Ski Patrol

• Stephanie Cox, CEO of National Ski Patrol
• Trux Dole, NSP member, Grandson of NSP founder Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole, 10^th Mountain Foundation
• National Ski Patrol (National Office)
• National Ski Patrol (Rocky Mountain Division)
• National Ski Patrol (Eastern Division)

WHEN/WHERE:  Feb. 18-23, 2025

For the complete schedule with background and details, click here.

Tuesday, Feb. 18:  Ninety-Pound Rucksack Challenge

• Time:  Media arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.
• Location:  Base of Vail Mountain, Ski Cooper, and A-Basin simultaneously

Wednesday, Feb. 19: Hale to Vail Traverse

• Time: Media greet first arrivals between 1-1:30 p.m. at top of Chair 4; final ski down Riva Ridge run between 3:30-4 p.m. to base of Gondola 1
• Location: Teams will begin at Camp Hale and end in Vail Village

Friday, Feb. 21:  Ski Cooper 50^th Ski In Daze

• Time: Media arrive no later than 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; the serpentine begins at 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Base of Ski Cooper

Friday, Feb. 21: Tennessee Pass Memorial

• Time: Media arrive no later than 2:30 p.m. and be in place by 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Base of Ski Cooper

Saturday, Feb. 22:  Meet and Greet with 10 Mountain Division and Leadership

• Time:  Media arrive at 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Sarge’s Shelter BBQ in Mid-Vail at Vail Mountain

Saturday, Feb. 22:  Vail Torchlight Parade

• Time:  Media arrive no later than 5:45 p.m.
• Location:  Bridge Street in Vail Village

Sunday, Feb. 23:  Ski Trooper Cup

• Time:  Media arrive no later than 2 p.m.
• Location: Base of Gondola 1 at Vail Mountain                                      

WHY:    

As part of OPERATION MOUNTAIN LEGACY, soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) will return to Camp Hale for rigorous ski and alpine training and for a tribute to their history – commemorating the 80^th anniversary of the pivotal Battle of Riva Ridge, which occurred on Feb. 18, 1945, and marked a successful turning point in WWII. Legacy Days will include members of the current 10^th Mountain Division and WWII veterans and their descendants, retracing the steps of their predecessors who trained at Camp Hale during World War II and who prepared in Colorado for combat in the European Alps. 

Joining the 10th Mountain Division at this tribute will be members of National Ski Patrol (NSP), the leading authority of on-mountain safety with deep roots in the 10^th Mountain Division's history. NSP was originally organized and directed by Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole as a committee of the National Ski Association. During World War II, Dole was responsible for establishing the famed 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army. Many 10^th Mountain Division veterans, inspired by their experiences, went on to establish and operate numerous ski resorts across the United States. These events aim to be the embodiment of the 10^th Mountain Division’s motto, “Climb to Glory.”