The 10th Mountain Division, today one of the most deployed divisions in the US Army, has a long and storied legacy. In a time of need, skiers became soldiers leading to the creation of the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, Colorado in 1943.

These American soldier skiers were instrumental in turning the tide of war to Allied Victory at Riva Ridge, Mount Belvedere, Mount Della Torracia and Lake Garda. One of their own, PFC John Magrath, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. After the war, many went on to serve as ski instructors, establish ski areas by the name of Vail, Aspen, Arapahoe Basin, or as one soldier by the name of Bob Dole did, enter the world of politics.

In the 1950’s Camp Hale served as a training ground for the Mountain Cold Weather Training Command. It became so due to the fact that those serving in Korea were ill-equipped to handle the weather and terrain. I’m proud to say that my father, Tyler Dodge, was one of those instructors. Others with the same command went on to establish new ski areas – Chuck Lewis with Copper Mountain, work as geologists, or become engineers who now enjoy a second career as an artist, and others became business owners or entered into politics.

In the 1940’s and 1950’s, what the men of the 10th Mountain Division had for equipment was uniforms of wool and cotton, skis and poles that you’d never see today, snowshoes, Weasels, C-rations of very questionable taste, and more.