Where shall I start ...
I have been skiing since 1977 (Greece Olympia Ski Club), but never really thought about where did all these ski resorts come from? Last year, my son and I ventured into the ADK (Adirondack Mountains) to ski Whiteface. Lake Placid is truly as my son calls "a destination." As you enter into this cosy little to
wn made famous by hosting the Winter Olympic Games, twice, you instantly become charmed. While passing by the flags of the different countries to reach the Whiteface Skiing Complex, you quickly realize the world gathered their best athletes together for tests of skill and endurance. After skiing Whiteface's trails for awhile, we went into the main lodge for a break and saw a tribute to the 10th Mountain Division. I really still didn't understand its significance and I hadn't previously notice on the trail map a run called the 10th Mountain Division Glade.
The 10th Mountain Division was formed in 1943 as the 10th Light Division (Alpine). "It would be easier to change skiers into soldiers, then soldiers into skiers" said Charles Dole, president of the National Ski Patrol. They were formed after reports that in Finland, a skiing infantry unit was able to annihilate two Russian Armored Tank Divisions. The 10th Mountain Division would be like "skiing commando marksmen" that trained in severely brutal weather conditions at high elevation in Colorado. Their unit comprised some of the best mountaineers from the Northeast and elite skiers that had fled war torn Europe. The unit totaled some 20,000 ski troopers specifically trained for winter combat. The National Ski Patrol took on the unique role of recruiting for the 87th Infantry Regiment and later the 10th Mountain Division. In 1985, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) was re-activated at Fort Drum, New York as winter mountain combat had become necessary again.
Upon retirement, many of these soldiers continued to support the sport of skiing in a number of capacities. In many respects, there is a vacation resort skiing industry due to the efforts of these pioneering individuals; some 30 division members who have been inducted into the US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Frame. Such skiing resorts as Vail, Aspen, Sugarbush and Whiteface just to name a few were designed, laid out and built by the 10th. It is conceivable that every ski area in the nation had some sort of 10th influence. Other became ski coaches, racers, instructors, shop owners and filmmakers. Some wrote and published ski magazines, ran ski resorts, improved ski equipment, developed snow-making and lift equipment.
So when you bring your family on vacation ski just remember who helped make it possible. As you will notice many resorts are now celebrating their 50th or 60th anniversaries, this is a thank you to the many members of the unit dubbed "Minnie's Ski Troop" in honor of Charles "Minnie" Dole.
I have been skiing since 1977 (Greece Olympia Ski Club), but never really thought about where did all these ski resorts come from? Last year, my son and I ventured into the ADK (Adirondack Mountains) to ski Whiteface. Lake Placid is truly as my son calls "a destination." As you enter into this cosy little to
wn made famous by hosting the Winter Olympic Games, twice, you instantly become charmed. While passing by the flags of the different countries to reach the Whiteface Skiing Complex, you quickly realize the world gathered their best athletes together for tests of skill and endurance. After skiing Whiteface's trails for awhile, we went into the main lodge for a break and saw a tribute to the 10th Mountain Division. I really still didn't understand its significance and I hadn't previously notice on the trail map a run called the 10th Mountain Division Glade.The 10th Mountain Division was formed in 1943 as the 10th Light Division (Alpine). "It would be easier to change skiers into soldiers, then soldiers into skiers" said Charles Dole, president of the National Ski Patrol. They were formed after reports that in Finland, a skiing infantry unit was able to annihilate two Russian Armored Tank Divisions. The 10th Mountain Division would be like "skiing commando marksmen" that trained in severely brutal weather conditions at high elevation in Colorado. Their unit comprised some of the best mountaineers from the Northeast and elite skiers that had fled war torn Europe. The unit totaled some 20,000 ski troopers specifically trained for winter combat. The National Ski Patrol took on the unique role of recruiting for the 87th Infantry Regiment and later the 10th Mountain Division. In 1985, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) was re-activated at Fort Drum, New York as winter mountain combat had become necessary again.
Upon retirement, many of these soldiers continued to support the sport of skiing in a number of capacities. In many respects, there is a vacation resort skiing industry due to the efforts of these pioneering individuals; some 30 division members who have been inducted into the US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Frame. Such skiing resorts as Vail, Aspen, Sugarbush and Whiteface just to name a few were designed, laid out and built by the 10th. It is conceivable that every ski area in the nation had some sort of 10th influence. Other became ski coaches, racers, instructors, shop owners and filmmakers. Some wrote and published ski magazines, ran ski resorts, improved ski equipment, developed snow-making and lift equipment.So when you bring your family on vacation ski just remember who helped make it possible. As you will notice many resorts are now celebrating their 50th or 60th anniversaries, this is a thank you to the many members of the unit dubbed "Minnie's Ski Troop" in honor of Charles "Minnie" Dole.
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