What was the 10th Mountain Division?

The 10th Mountain Division was the U.S. Army's first and only unit trained for alpine warfare during World War II. Formed in 1942 at Camp Hale, Colorado (9,200 feet), the division trained soldiers in technical climbing, combat skiing, and cold-weather survival. Over 7,000 men were recruited by the National Ski Patrol, the first time a civilian agency screened military applicants.

What happened at Riva Ridge on February 18, 1945?

On the night of February 18, 1945, approximately 700 soldiers from the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment climbed 1,500 to 2,000 feet of nearly vertical frozen cliff at Riva Ridge in Italy's Apennine Mountains. The Germans believed the ridge was unclimbable. Not a single man was killed during the climb, and by dawn the Americans held the ridge, enabling the assault on Mount Belvedere.

How many ski resorts did 10th Mountain Division veterans build?

At least 62 ski areas across the United States were founded, managed, or staffed by 10th Mountain Division veterans, including Vail (Pete Seibert, 1962), Arapahoe Basin (Lawrence Jump, 1946), Sugarbush (Jack Murphy, 1958), Aspen, Stratton, Whiteface, and many others.

Was Bob Dole in the 10th Mountain Division?

Yes. Second Lieutenant Bob Dole served in the 10th Mountain Division and was hit by German machine gun fire on April 14, 1945, on Hill 913 in Italy. He spent more than three years in hospitals recovering before going on to serve in Congress and run for president.

What is the Ninety-Pound Rucksack Challenge?

The Ninety-Pound Rucksack Challenge is an annual event held every February 18th at Killington and ski areas across the country. Participants strap on weighted packs and hike or ski uphill to honor the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division who climbed Riva Ridge on the night of February 18, 1945.

The Soldiers Who Built American Skiing

It Started With a Broken Ankle

In 1936, a man named Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole broke his ankle skiing Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont, and couldn't get help. Nobody came. Minnie Dole lay there in the snow and decided that was unacceptable.

Two years later, he founded the National Ski Patrol. Then the Winter War broke out in Finland, and he watched Finnish ski troops embarrass the Soviet army in the snow. With World War II looming, Dole had an idea: America needed soldiers who could fight on mountains.

In September 1940, Dole secured a meeting with Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall and made his case. Marshall authorized the formation of the first mountain units. The National Ski Patrol, a civilian organization, was formally tasked by the War Department with recruiting soldiers, the first time in history a civilian agency screened applicants for a military unit. They recruited over 7,000 men: world-class skiers, mountaineers, forest rangers, and Olympic athletes.

By 1942, the Army had built Camp Hale in the Colorado Rockies at 9,200 feet, the highest permanent military post of its era. Thousands of soldiers trained there in temperatures that hit 35 below, mastering technical climbing, combat skiing, and cold-weather survival. Some were champion skiers from New England colleges. Some had never seen snow.

February 18, 1945

The night that changed everything

The Climb Nobody Expected to Survive

The Germans held the high ground in Italy's Apennine Mountains. From the fortified peaks of the Gothic Line, they could see every Allied approach coming. Previous attempts by Allied forces to take Mount Belvedere had failed with catastrophic losses.

So the 10th Mountain Division tried something different. On the night of February 18, Major General George P. Hays sent approximately 700 soldiers from the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment up the sheer cliffs of Riva Ridge: 1,500 to 2,000 feet of nearly vertical frozen rock, in the dark, in full combat gear.

The Germans believed the ridge was unclimbable. They were wrong. Not a single man was killed during the climb.

Wearing white camouflage, carrying rifles and 55-pound packs, they climbed ice and rock on nothing but training and nerve. The Germans never saw them coming. By dawn, the Americans held the ridge.

The next day, with Riva Ridge secured, the Division launched the main assault on Mount Belvedere. The battle lasted from February 19 to 25, costing 923 casualties (192 killed in action), but the Gothic Line was broken. The road to the end of the war in Italy was open.

It cost them dearly. In just 114 days of combat, 992 soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division were killed in action and nearly 4,000 wounded, 4,866 total casualties. Among the wounded: Second Lieutenant Bob Dole, hit by German machine gun fire on April 14 on Hill 913, who would spend more than three years in hospitals before going on to serve in Congress and run for president.

They Came Home and Built Everything

Here's where the story turns from a war story into your story. The skier reading this.

When the veterans of the 10th Mountain Division came home, they didn't just hang up their skis. They published ski magazines. They opened ski schools. They founded resorts.

At least 62 ski areas across the United States were founded, managed, or staffed by 10th Mountain Division veterans.

Pete Seibert, wounded in Italy and told he'd never walk again, placed third in the National Giant Slalom four years later, then co-founded Vail near the site of Camp Hale. Lawrence Jump built Arapahoe Basin with fellow 10th veterans. Jack Murphy managed Mad River Glen and built Sugarbush. Others shaped Stratton, Whiteface, and Aspen.

Before the 10th, skiing in America was an elite niche for the wealthy few. These veterans turned it into a sport for everyone. They democratized the mountains.

Every time you click into a binding, ride a lift, or carve a groomer, you're skiing on ground these men built.

7,000+

Recruited by the National Ski Patrol

992

Killed in action in Italy

62+

Ski areas built by veterans

114

Days of combat in Italy

Key Moments

1936 / 1938

Charles "Minnie" Dole founds the National Ski Patrol

After breaking his ankle at Mount Mansfield in Stowe, VT in 1936 with no help in sight, Dole founds the NSP in 1938, the organization that will recruit America's mountain warriors.

1940

Dole meets General Marshall

In September 1940, Dole convinces Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall to authorize the first mountain units. The NSP becomes the first civilian agency to recruit for the military.

1942

Camp Hale opens in Colorado

At 9,200 feet in the Rockies, the highest permanent military post of its era, thousands of soldiers train in temperatures reaching 35 below zero. The 10th Mountain Division is forged.

February 18, 1945

The assault on Riva Ridge

~700 soldiers of the 86th Regiment climb 1,500–2,000 feet of frozen cliff in total darkness. The Germans thought it was unclimbable. Not a single man was killed in the climb.

February 19–25, 1945

The battle for Mount Belvedere

With Riva Ridge secured, the Division takes the main objective. 923 casualties, 192 killed in action. The Gothic Line is broken. The road through Italy is open.

1946

Arapahoe Basin opens

10th veteran Lawrence Jump builds Colorado's first post-war ski area, almost entirely with help from fellow Division veterans.

1958

Sugarbush opens in Vermont

10th veteran Jack Murphy, recruited from Mad River Glen, builds and operates Sugarbush, opening Christmas Day, 1958.

1962

Vail opens

Pete Seibert, wounded in Italy and told he'd never walk again, co-founds what becomes America's most iconic ski resort near the site of Camp Hale.

Every February

The Rucksack Challenge

At Killington and ski areas across the country, people strap on weighted packs and climb, honoring the soldiers who climbed Riva Ridge on the night of February 18, 1945.

Resorts Built by 10th Mountain Veterans

A partial list of the 62+ ski areas founded, managed, or shaped by Division veterans
* Managed by 10th veterans, not founded

Vail

Colorado

Aspen

Colorado

Arapahoe Basin

Colorado

Ski Cooper

Colorado

Sugarbush

Vermont

Stratton

Vermont

Mad River Glen*

Vermont

Whiteface

New York

Crystal Mountain

Washington

Snowbasin

Utah

Loveland

Colorado

Winter Park

Colorado

The Rucksack Challenge at Killington

Event Ninety-Pound Rucksack Challenge

When Every February 18th

What Uphill ski/hike with weighted pack

Why Honoring the 10th Mountain Division

Open to All levels

The challenge runs simultaneously at ski areas across the country. Strap on a pack and climb. No experience required. Just willingness.

Full Historical Research

32 citations from Army archives, the National WWII Museum, and military historians

The Specialized Evolution of the 10th Mountain Division: From Alpine Origins to Global Light Infantry Dominance

The military history of the United States is frequently defined by its capacity for rapid industrial mobilization and the deployment of massive mechanized forces. However, the 10th Mountain Division represents a distinct deviation from this norm, emerging as a highly specialized response to the environmental challenges of modern warfare. From its conceptual inception in the mind of a civilian skier to its current status as the most deployed light infantry division in the United States Army, the 10th Mountain Division has fundamentally shaped the doctrine of alpine and cold-weather operations.¹

The Conceptual Genesis and Civilian Advocacy of Charles Minot Dole

The 10th Mountain Division remains unique in American military history as the only division whose creation was driven by civilian advocacy and whose initial personnel were screened by a non-military organization.⁴ The geopolitical catalyst for this development was the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939, known as the Winter War. During this conflict, Finnish ski troops, though significantly outnumbered, utilized their mobility in deep snow and dense forests to inflict staggering losses on Soviet mechanized columns.⁴ Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole, the founder of the National Ski Patrol (NSP), recognized that the United States military possessed no equivalent capability to operate in such rugged, snow-bound environments.⁷

Dole's advocacy began in early 1940, as he relentlessly petitioned the War Department to recognize that mountains and alpine terrain were not merely obstacles to be avoided, but tactical advantages that could be exploited by specially trained units.⁶ In September 1940, Dole secured a meeting with General George C. Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff. Marshall, recognizing the validity of Dole's assessment in the context of a potential European deployment, authorized the formation of the first experimental mountain units.² This collaboration led to the establishment of the Army Ski Patrol in November 1940, which would eventually expand into the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment.²

The National Ski Patrol was formally tasked by the War Department with recruiting and screening applicants for these new mountain units, the first time in history a civilian agency held such authority over military force composition.⁴ Between 1941 and 1944, the NSP recruited over 7,000 men, including world-class skiers, mountaineers, forest rangers, and even Olympic athletes.⁴ This created a unique culture within the division, often characterized by high educational levels and a shared passion for the outdoors, earning it the nickname of a "college boy" division.⁶

The Forge of Camp Hale: Training in the High Rockies

To prepare these specialized troops for the rigors of alpine combat, the United States Army required a training environment that could simulate the extreme conditions of the European mountains. In 1942, construction began on Camp Hale in the Pando Valley of the Colorado Rockies.⁹ Situated at an elevation of 9,238 feet, Camp Hale was the highest permanent military post of its era, specifically chosen for its proximity to 12,000-foot peaks and its consistent, heavy snowfall.⁹

Technical Training and Environmental Hardship

The curriculum at Camp Hale was designed to be as much a test of endurance as a program of military instruction. Soldiers were required to master technical climbing, long-range patrolling on skis and snowshoes, and cold-weather survival in temperatures that frequently dropped below zero.¹⁰ The logistical demands of mountain warfare also required the revival of traditional pack-animal transportation, with thousands of mules and donkeys being utilized to haul artillery, ammunition, and supplies up steep cliffs where vehicles could not operate.¹⁰

Training Component	Description and Equipment	Primary Objective
Technical Mountaineering	Use of pitons, ropes, and rappelling techniques¹¹	Movement over vertical rock faces
Combat Skiing	Instruction in Alpine and Nordic techniques by professional instructors⁹	Rapid mobility in deep snow
Winter Survival	Building snow caves and shelters in 35-below temperatures⁹	Environmental casualty prevention
Specialized Logistics	Use of the M-29 Weasel snow tractor and mule pack companies¹³	Sustainment in vehicle-inaccessible terrain

The physical toll of training at such high altitudes was immense. Soldiers often suffered from altitude sickness and frostbite, and the shallow valley frequently trapped coal smoke from the camp's barracks, leading to a persistent condition known as the "Pando Hack".⁹ Despite these hardships, the experience forged the unit into a highly resilient and technically proficient formation. The culminating event of the training cycle was the 1944 "D-Series" maneuvers, a month-long field exercise where 15,000 soldiers lived and fought in deep snow and extreme cold, providing critical data that would later be used to improve the Army's cold-weather clothing and rations.¹⁰

World War II: The Italian Campaign and the Breaking of the Gothic Line

The 10th Mountain Division's combat history began in earnest in late 1944. Although the 87th Regiment had participated in the Aleutians Campaign (Operation Cottage) at Kiska, where it suffered 17 fatalities due to fog-induced friendly fire and booby traps, the division's true test came in the North Apennines of Italy.² Arriving in Italy in January 1945, the division was assigned to the Fifth Army under the command of Lieutenant General Lucian Truscott.¹

The Assault on Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere

The German defensive strategy in Italy relied on the Gothic Line, a series of fortified positions in the mountains that blocked the Allied advance into the Po Valley. The key German observation points were located on Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere, which provided German artillery with unobstructed views of the primary Allied supply routes along Highway 64.⁴ Previous attempts by Allied forces to take these positions had failed with catastrophic losses.¹⁴

Major General George P. Hays, recognizing that a traditional frontal assault would be suicidal, authorized a daring vertical climb of Riva Ridge. On the night of February 18, 1945, approximately 700 soldiers from the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment climbed 1,500 to 2,000 feet of nearly vertical rock in total silence.⁴ The Germans, believing the ridge was unclimbable, were caught by surprise. By dawn, the Americans had secured the ridge, which then allowed the main assault on Mount Belvedere to proceed with the flank protected.⁴

Battle Phase	Objective	Outcome	Significant Casualties
Riva Ridge (Feb 18, 1945)	Capture high-ground observation point overlooking Mt. Belvedere⁴	Surprise success; German 114th Jäger elements neutralized⁴	Low initial assault losses⁴
Mt. Belvedere (Feb 19-25, 1945)	Break main Gothic Line defensive positions¹⁰	Captured; German counterattacks repelled¹⁰	923 Allied casualties (192 KIA)¹⁶
Spring Offensive (Apr 14, 1945)	Break into the Po River Valley¹	Breakthrough achieved; end of German resistance in Italy¹	286 KIA, 1,047 WIA¹⁶

The capture of Mount Belvedere and the subsequent securing of Mount della Torraccia unhinged the German defense in the Apennines. The division then participated in the final Spring Offensive, breaking through the mountain defenses and racing across the Po Valley.¹ During these final operations, Private First Class John D. Magrath of the 85th Infantry earned the Medal of Honor for single-handedly neutralizing multiple machine-gun nests near Castel d'Aiano.²⁰ The division's advance culminated at Lake Garda, where it reached the northern end by the war's end, though not without tragedy; on April 30, 1945, a DUKW carrying 25 soldiers capsized in the rough waters of the lake, killing all aboard.¹⁰

Summary of World War II Impact

In just 114 days of combat, the 10th Mountain Division effectively destroyed five German divisions and drew significant enemy forces away from other theaters.¹ However, the cost was high. The division sustained a total of 4,866 casualties, with 992 to 999 soldiers killed in action.¹ This casualty rate was among the highest per month in the Italian campaign, reflecting the intense nature of the mountain combat the unit was required to perform.¹

The Cold War Interlude and Reactivations

Following the end of hostilities in Europe, the 10th Mountain Division was briefly stationed near the Italian-Yugoslavian border to deter territorial expansion by Marshal Tito's forces.¹ The division was subsequently returned to the United States and inactivated on November 30, 1945, at Camp Carson, Colorado.¹

The 10th Infantry Division (1948-1958)

The requirements of the early Cold War led to the division's reactivation as the 10th Infantry Division on July 1, 1948, at Fort Riley, Kansas.¹ During this period, the unit functioned primarily as a training division, processing over 123,000 recruits for service in the Korean Conflict.²² In 1954, the division was reorganized as a combat-ready force and deployed to West Germany under Operation Gyroscope, replacing the 1st Infantry Division.²² Stationed between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, the 10th served as a critical component of NATO's central defense until it was replaced by the 3rd Infantry Division and inactivated again in June 1958.¹

The Modern Era: Reactivation and the Light Infantry Paradigm

The modern history of the 10th Mountain Division began on February 13, 1985, with its reactivation at Fort Drum, New York, as the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).¹ This was part of a major Army restructuring that sought to create rapidly deployable, infantry-intensive units capable of responding to worldwide crises without the heavy logistical footprint of armored divisions.¹ Under the command of Brigadier General William S. Carpenter, the division was the first of its kind based in the Northeast United States since World War II.¹

The Strategic Value of "Light" Divisions

The designation of "light infantry" meant that the division prioritized strategic mobility over heavy firepower. The unit was not equipped with tanks or Bradley fighting vehicles; instead, its mobility relied on HMMWVs, trucks, and the physical stamina of its soldiers.¹ This allowed the division to be deployed via C-141 or C-5 aircraft much more rapidly than a traditional heavy division, enabling it to reach crisis zones before conflicts escalated.¹

Operational Characteristic	Light Infantry (10th Mountain)	Heavy Infantry/Armored
Primary Transport	Strategic Airlift (C-130, C-17, C-5)²⁴	Rail and Sealift
Maneuver Platforms	HMMWVs, Light Trucks, Foot²⁴	Abrams Tanks, Bradley AFVs
Mission Focus	Contingency Ops, Urban Warfare, Mountains¹	High-Intensity Conventional Warfare
Deployment Speed	Days to Weeks¹	Weeks to Months

Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Operations (1990-2001)

The versatility of the 10th Mountain Division was proven throughout the 1990s as it became the Army's most frequently deployed unit for humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.¹

Hurricane Andrew and Task Force Mountain

In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused over $20 billion in damage in South Florida. The 10th Mountain Division assumed responsibility for disaster relief as Task Force Mountain, deploying 6,000 soldiers to set up relief camps, distribute food and medical supplies, and clear debris.¹

Somalia: Operation Restore Hope and the Battle of Mogadishu

In December 1992, the division headquarters deployed to Somalia to lead Army forces in Operation Restore Hope. The mission was to secure roads and major cities to ensure the safe delivery of food to the starving population.¹

On October 3, 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu, the 10th Mountain Division provided the Quick Reaction Force (Task Force 2-14 Infantry) that executed the ground evacuation route for Special Operations Task Force Ranger.¹ The division's soldiers fought through dense urban terrain to reach the crash sites of two MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, successfully extracting the Rangers and Delta Force operators.¹

Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo

The 10th Mountain Division continued its peacekeeping efforts through the late 1990s:

Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti, 1994): The division made the first assault landing from an aircraft carrier platform, providing security for the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.¹
Sinai MFO: The division provided elements to the Multinational Force and Observers to monitor the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.¹
Balkans (1998-2002): The division served as the headquarters for Task Force Eagle in Bosnia and Herzegovina and participated in Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo.¹

The Global War on Terrorism (2001-Present)

The attacks of September 11, 2001, initiated a period of nearly constant deployment for the 10th Mountain Division. It was one of the first conventional units to deploy to Afghanistan, where its specialized history in mountain combat was highly relevant.²⁷

Afghanistan and Operation Anaconda

In March 2002, the division led U.S. and Afghan forces in Operation Anaconda in the Shahi-Kot Valley.¹ Fighting at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet, the soldiers faced Al-Qaeda and Taliban insurgents in terrain that mirrored the conditions their predecessors had faced at Camp Hale and Riva Ridge.¹

Iraq and the Modular Transformation

The division also saw extensive service in the Iraq War. In July 2004, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team deployed to Baghdad to provide security for the first post-Saddam national elections.¹ In September 2004, the division underwent a major organizational change, transitioning into a modular structure.¹

Brigade Unit	Current/Recent Status	Historical Nickname
1st BCT	Active (Fort Drum, NY)	Warrior
2nd BCT	Active (Fort Drum, NY)²⁸	Commandos
3rd BCT	Active (Fort Johnson, LA)¹	Patriots
10th CAB	Active (Fort Drum, NY)	Falcons

During the 2007 "surge," 10th Mountain units were critical in stabilizing the "Triangle of Death" south of Baghdad and conducting operations in Sadr City.¹ In recent years, the division has supported Operation Inherent Resolve, assisting Iraqi forces in the liberation of Ramadi, Fallujah, and Mosul from ISIS.¹

Institutional Memory and Heritage

The legacy of the 10th Mountain Division is meticulously preserved at the 10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Museum.²⁹ The museum covers the entire history of the North Country, from the Haudenosaunee confederacy to the establishment of Pine Camp (later Fort Drum) and the reactivation of the modern division.²⁹

The Impact on the American Ski Industry

Perhaps the most enduring non-military legacy of the 10th Mountain Division is its influence on outdoor recreation. After World War II, veterans of the division founded at least 62 ski areas in the United States, including major resorts such as Vail, Aspen, and Arapahoe Basin.⁸ These veterans applied their technical expertise in lift technology, instruction, and safety, rooted in their training at Camp Hale, to transform skiing into a popular national pastime.⁵

Modern Commemoration and Training Doctrine

The division continues to honor its roots through annual events like the "D-Series" competition and the "Hale to Vail Traverse," which retrace the training routes of the original 1943 mountain troopers.¹² These events serve both to maintain unit morale and to reinforce the technical mountain skills that remain a core part of the division's identity.⁶ The lessons learned in the Apennines and the Rockies continue to inform the Army's Cold Weather Leader Course and mountain warfare schools today.¹⁰

Conclusion: The Strategic Future of the Mountaineers

The 10th Mountain Division remains a vital component of the United States' strategic reserve. As the most deployed division in the Army since 1992, it has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to adapt to diverse mission profiles, from high-altitude combat in Afghanistan to urban stabilization in Iraq and humanitarian relief in Florida.² The division's history proves that specialized training for extreme environments creates a force that is resilient, versatile, and capable of operating in terrain that would paralyze conventional units.¹ As global security threats become increasingly complex, the 10th Mountain Division's motto, "Climb to Glory," serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of specialized expertise and physical endurance in the pursuit of national security objectives.⁶

Works Cited

10th Mountain Division (LI) :: Fort Drum - Army Garrisons
10th Mountain Division - Wikipedia
Forging the 10th Mountain Division for War, 1940-45 - NPS History
Bootprints in History: Mountaineers take the Ridge - U.S. Army
10th Mountain Division - National Ski Patrol
Fort Drum honors 10th Mountain Division visionary - U.S. Army
About the NSP - Far West Division
10th Mountain Division & Ski Patrol Heritage - NSP Eastern Division
Camp Hale - Wikipedia
How the 10th Mountain Division Built America's Cold-Weather Warfare Doctrine - Military.com
Camp Hale - Colorado Encyclopedia
Embracing the Past, Shaping the Future - Fort Drum
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The 10th Mountain Division and the 1st Brazilian Expeditionary Infantry Division during Operation Encore - Fort Benning
10th Mountain Soldiers conduct 2025 D-Series Competition - U.S. Army
'Climb to Glory': The 10th Mountain Division's Ski and Mountain Troops - National WWII Museum
10th Mountain Division - laststandonzombieisland
80 Years Later, They're Climbing Riva Ridge Again - Christian Beckwith
The History of the Legendary 10th Mountain Division - SnowBrains
World War II Medal of Honor Recipients - U.S. Army
John D Magrath - Medal of Honor Society
10th Mountain Division - Historical Reference
Association Resources - National Association of the 10th Mountain Division
10th Mountain Division, Ready or Not? - Defense and the National Interest
Explore 10th Mountain Division history at the Fort Drum Museum - U.S. Army
10th Mtn Div - 1985 to present - 2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment
The Mountaineer, Fort Drum, NY - U.S. Army
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division - Military Wiki
10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum - U.S. Army Center of Military History
10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Museum - Fort Drum
The History of the Legendary 10th Mountain Division - Ski Federation
10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers Honor those who Climbed Before Us - Dover AFB