Ski-In 2025

The 50^th Annual 10th Mountain Division Ski-In Daze Reunion

The reunion’s events, hosted by the 10th Mountain Division Descendents Rocky Mountain Chapter, began the Ski-in at Copper Mountain on Feb. 20, with the presentation that evening at the High School by Col. Kenny Mintz, a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division who spoke about his journey on foot from Washington D.C. to the Pacific Ocean (see below for more about Kenny Walks Across America).

The next day was at Ski Cooper, where in addition to skiing, in the early afternoon, there was the Veteran’s Honor Ski Parade where 10th Mountain soldiers, veterans and descendants, along with other U.S. Army soldiers and National Ski Patrol skied down the mountain bearing banners and flags. 

The 10th Mountain Division Memorial Dedication

In the later afternoon on Friday, there was the memorial dedication at the 10th Mountain Memorial Monument located at the entrance of Ski Cooper on the road that leads down to the Camp Hale site. We are honored to feature a poem by Lt Col Marc Cleveland (ret), a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division (LI).

A High Mountain Pass
By Lt. Col. Marc Cleveland (ret)

On a high mountain pass, we gathered in the cold. 
Amid grey clouds and evergreens, our group was young, and old. 
Friends shook hands or shared a hug, others stood without a sound.  
We had all returned, once again, to meet on hallowed ground. 
We stood before a granite wall, its face a pinkish hue. 
A speaker took the podium, he was solemn, we were too.
We watched as someone lowered the flag, we listened to a prayer. 
We covered our hearts and pledged allegiance, our breath visible in the air. 
Many people took a turn, talking to the crowd. 
One by one, they reminisced or recited a poem aloud. 
Names were read, names were called. 
Silence. Then a song. 
Amazing grace. 
It sure was sweet, listening to that stirring, melancholy sound. 
We thought about our lives, and gave thanks for family and friends. 
We lingered on the memory of those we would never see again. 
Slowly, and softly, a bugle started out. 
Taps was played, the flag was raised. 

What was this all about?

Long ago, when our ancestors were young, they answered an urgent call. 
America was needed, to ensure freedom for one and all.
Courageous men and women stepped up to do what’s right. 
They deployed across the world and joined a global fight. 
Among the very many, we come here to remember a few. 
Skiers, climbers and mountaineers who did what no one else could do. 
80 years ago, almost to the day, Soldiers from the 10th entered into the fray. 
They scaled Riva Ridge, and took the enemy by surprise. 
They fixed bayonets on Querciola, and stormed the objective before sunrise. 
They charged up sister peaks of Belvedere and Gorgolesco.
They secured della Torraccia and repelled counter attacks with gusto. 
They continued on the offense to Castel d’Aiano and della Spe.
Ahead of Allied Forces, the 10th led the way.
They broke out in Po Valley and dashed forward with Task Force Duff.
They crossed a river under fire, proving yet again, they were tough. 
They waged their final battles with the enemy in full retreat.
Victory at Lake Garda and German surrender were bittersweet.
Five months of fighting had come at a cost.
975 killed. 3,871 wounded. 20 taken prisoner. The measure of the loss.

The story of the 10th is tied to this terrain.
Pando Valley, Colorado is where Mountain Soldiers arrived to train. 
They were stationed at Camp Hale and summited Tennessee Pass.
They learned to ski on Cooper Hill and scale rock walls for climbing class. 
They lived in the mountains for weeks at a time. 
They maneuvered along creeks and bivouacked near treeline. 
This is where the Army’s first and only mountain infantry division became
The elite 10th Mountain Division of legendary fame. 
So, on a high mountain pass, we gather in the cold. 
Amid grey clouds and evergreens, we honor our legacy, young, and old.

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The Evening at ‘Freight’: Dinner, Entertainment and Fellowship

Later that evening was dinner at ‘Freight’, with after dinner entertainment by the 10^th Quartet and the hit songs from the 1940’s sung by by Victory Three.  Following that Major General Nauman had an opportunity to address the attendees and shared the missions and deployments of the current 10^th Mountain Division (LI), headquartered at Fort Drum, but living up to its reputation as the most deployed division in the Army.  Then things got lively with an auction which raised both considerable enthusiasm as well as a bit of cash for the organization’s upcoming good works.

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