Honor Heroes At 10th Mountain Division Day

January 21, 2026

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.

Skiers in snow wear hold flags, including the American flag, on a snowy slope with trees in the background. The scene is lively and festive. — 10th Mountain Division Day at Ski Cooper

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:

A solitary, weathered concrete wall, once part of a military base, stands amid scattered debris on a barren landscape, under a bright blue sky and fluffy clouds, evoking a sense of desolation. — Camp Hale

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.

Skiers gather on a snow-covered slope, holding various national flags, including American and Norwegian. The scene is lively, with children in colorful winter gear. — Ski Cooper

SKI COOPER

Follow in the troopers’ footsteps by skiing or boarding the slopes where they trained at Cooper Hill now known as Ski Cooper.

A memorial plaque stands under a clear blue sky, surrounded by snow and evergreen trees. An American flag is flying on a pole beside it. The scene is calm and reflective. — 10th Mountain Division Memorial

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.

A cozy wooden cabin surrounded by snow-covered trees and landscape. Sunlight filters through branches, creating a warm, serene winter scene. — Tennessee Pass Nordic Center

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).

Log cabin in snowy landscape with a clear blue sky. Two people in winter gear stand outside, overlooking snow-covered trees and distant mountains. — 10th Mnt Div Hut – Jackal

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.

A 10th Mountain Division unit of soldiers marches in parade formation. All are wearing camouflage winter “whites” and carry skis on their right shoulders — 10th Mountain Division Resource Center, Denver Public Library

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