Catamount – Tuesday, February 18, 2025
On the night of February 18, 1945, soldiers from the now fabled 10th Mountain Division began a daring assault on German fortified positions atop Riva Ridge, located in the Apennines Mountains of Italy. Recruited largely from the ranks of the National Ski Patrol, these "ski troopers" would climb 2,000 feet to victory. This action helped command Mount Belvedere, paving the way for Allied victory in our liberation of Italy.
The 10th Mountain Division was formed during World War II at the urging of Charles "Minnie" Dole, founder of the National Ski Patrol. For the first time in United States military history, a civilian organization was directly involved in recruiting and advising the United States Army. The National Ski Patrol helped screen potential recruits whose ability to operate in alpine environments, with skills such as skiing, climbing, and mountaineering, was essential. Training at Camp Hale, Colorado, these mountain soldiers would prepare for battle.
On this 80th anniversary of our victory atop Riva Ridge, the Catamount Ski Patrol and Catamount Mountain Resort would like to rededicate Ridge Run to the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division. The original dedication was organized by Catamount Ski patroller and 10th Mountain Veteran William "Rees" Harris in January of 1988. Observing the National Ski Patrol's 50th anniversary (organized in 1938), Harris helped bring sixteen World War II troopers from the original muster who conducted displays and tactical reenactments of wartime ski maneuvers both on skis and off. Catamount is among many ski resorts impacted by veterans of the 10th Mountain Division. In addition to Harris, Hall of Fame skier and former Catamount Ski School director Toni Matt was among those who served in this famous World War II unit.
A new sign to designate Ridge Run in honor of the 10th Mountain Division was designed and built by Military History students in the Pine Plains Central School District. Built from reclaimed materials, this memorial was based on original World War II insignia examples. Crossed skis with U.S. insignia shows the enduring connection between the National Ski Patrol and the 10th Mountain Division.
Please join the Catamount Ski Patrol and Catamount Mountain Resort at 11:00 at the top of the Ridge Quad on Tuesday, February 18, to help us re-dedicate Ridge Run to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and their monumental victory on Riva Ridge.
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