HONOR WWII HEROES AT SKI COOPER & BEYOND
Experience a unique piece of history at Ski Cooper near Leadville, Colorado, during the 10th Mountain Division Day celebration, held every February to honor the brave ski troopers who trained at Cooper and Camp Hale in the mid-1940s. These soldiers played a pivotal role in defeating German forces, and many later helped build Colorado’s ski resorts and winter recreation across the country.
The highlight of the day is the ski-down tribute, where participants descend to the Cooper lodge carrying flags, often dressed the traditional white uniforms. Visitors can watch or participate this inspiring parade of flags starting at the top of Molly Mayfield run at 1:30 p.m. Following the parade of flags, migrate to the 10th Mountain Division Monument for a memorial ceremony. The celebration also offers a chance to honor and reunite while enjoying Cooper’s slopes and lodge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lift tickets are discounted for the day!
This is just one of the activities put on in connection with the 10th Mountain Division Descendants Rocky Mountain Chapter’s annual “Ski Daze” celebration weekend often with events at Copper Mountain, Ski Cooper and Vail. Check our calendar of events for all the activities each year.
LEARN ABOUT THE FAMOUS SKI TROOPERS
Dive deeper into the 10th Mountain Division’s legacy before your visit. Check out “8 Fun Facts about the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument.”
You can stream or buy the Warren Miller film “Climb to Glory” or “The Last Ridge.” or “Mission Mt. Mangart.”
Books and memorabilia can be found locally at Two Dog Market.
VISIT LOCAL 10TH MOUNTAIN ATTRACTIONS
Build out your trip with more ways to honor the 10th Mountain Division ski troopers:
CAMP HALE – CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL MONUMENT
The soldiers’ training camp is now part of the Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument, designated in 2022. You can drive 10-15 minutes north of Ski Cooper’s entrance to see informational plaques and remains of a few Camp Hale buildings.
In winter, backcountry skiing and snowmobile tours are among the best ways to see the monument’s landscape. In summer, you can reserve a spot in a Camp Hale campground or hike or mountain bike area trails. Learn about recreating in the Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument.
SKI COOPER
Follow in the troopers’ footsteps by skiing or boarding the slopes where they trained at Cooper Hill now known as Ski Cooper.
MONUMENTS TO HEROES
Along Highway 24, the Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway, stop at the turnoff to Ski Cooper. There you can pay tribute to the fallen soldiers at the 10th Mountain Division War Memorial. A second monument commemorates the soldiers of the 99th Battalion, Norwegian nationals who also trained at Camp Hale and liberated Norway in May 1945.
TENNESSEE PASS COOKHOUSE & NORDIC CENTER
Gain a sense of the local terrain by Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking at the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center. Equipment rentals are available. Enjoy your own unique experience by skiing or snowshoeing one mile to the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse, an off-grid yurt serving gourmet candlelit dinners and delicious lunches (by reservation only).
10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION HUT ASSOCIATION TRIP
For an adventure inspired by 10th Mountain veterans, gather friends and family and book a trip to a 10th Mountain Division Hut. Depending on weather conditions, you can ski, snowshoe, or hike into these backcountry huts for an experience to remember forever.
Among the 10th Mountain Division’s exploits was a ski touring trip from Camp Hale to Aspen in 1943 and 1944. Veteran Fritz Benedict, said to be a fan of the area’s ski touring, was a founder of the hut association. Five of the 12 huts were built with donations to honor the memory of 10th Mountain Division soldiers who died in the war.
Please note that hut trips require planning and endurance and in winter, strong avalanche skills training and preparedness for safe travel.
Whether you’re there for the ski-down tribute, a Nordic adventure, or a backcountry hut trip, Leadville and the surrounding high country offer countless ways to honor the 10th Mountain Division while enjoying Colorado’s spectacular winter landscapes.
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