Tales of the 10th -- Mountain Troops & American Skiing with New England Ski Museum

Discover the history of the 10th Mountain Division, and how its formation shaped one of the most popular winter sports in America, with Jeff Leich, Executive Director of the New England Ski Museum. On November 15, 1941, the first unit of what would become the 10th Mountain Division was activated. The 10th Mountain was a unique American military unit that recruited and trained skiers and mountaineers to operate in mountain and winter warfare. Two winters of training in the high mountains of Colorado tested the stamina of its soldiers, and prepared them for combat in the Apennine Mountains of Italy. There, the 10th compiled a distinguished war record despite heavy casualties. After the war, many veterans of the cohesive unit guided and enhanced the growth of American skiing and outdoor recreation: Vail and A-Basin in Colorado, Crystal Mountain, Washington, Mount Bachelor, Oregon, Nike, the Sierra Club, and the National Outdoor Leadership School all were founded or influenced by veterans of the mountain troops. Leich has been Executive Director of the New England Ski Museum in Franconia, NH since 1997. Leich is the editor of the Journal of the New England Ski Museum, and produces most of the exhibits that the Museum changes on an annual basis.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

This is a virtual program. Please click here to register for the Zoom link. If you do not receive the link, please check your junk mail.