2026 Olympic Winter Games
Hey 10th Mountain family—guess what? The Winter Olympics are coming to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026, and whether you’re waxing your skis or watching from the couch with hot cocoa, you’re more connected to the Games than you might think.
That’s right—our beloved 10th Mountain Division isn’t just about mountain warfare and global deployments. We’ve got Olympic roots that run deeper than a mogul field at Vail. When Team USA hits the slopes in Italy, they’ll be skiing in the very mountains our WWII ski troopers helped liberate. Talk about full circle.
Born from America’s finest winter athletes and outdoorsmen, the 10th Mountain Division didn’t just fight in the Alps—they came home and built the ski industry we love. Vail, Aspen, Sugarbush, Whiteface Mountain? All touched by the hands of 10th Mountain veterans. They opened ski schools, published magazines, competed at the Olympics and coach athletes. Their fingerprints are all over American skiing.
Olympic Royalty in Uniform
The 10th Mountain Division has produced more Olympians than any other large combat unit in U.S. military history—18 in total, including 15 athletes and 3 coaches. We’re talking ski jumpers, cross-country skiers, marathoners, decathletes, and even a field hockey player or two. Its legacy extends beyond competition too, with veterans contributing to Olympic planning, coaching, staff and officiating across multiple Games.
In a historic move, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named the U.S. Army its first official armed forces partner, shining a spotlight on the 10th Mountain Division’s enduring legacy in shaping America’s ski and snowboard industry. As part of this partnership, athletes will proudly wear Army/10th Mountain Division patches during the 2025–26 World Cup season and the 2026 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games, honoring the Division’s contributions both on and off the battlefield.
Fun Fact Break!
- Whiteface Mountain was dedicated to the 10th in 1958—and hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- Ollie Manninen, a 10th Mountain marathoner, rescued a wounded lieutenant in Italy—who later became Senator Bob Dole.
- The legacy lives on with Olympic skier River Radamus. His grandfather, Joe McNeal, served in the 10th during WWII. That’s some serious family tradition.
Want More? Watch These!
- Fire on the Mountain – The original story of the 10th’s journey from Camp Hale to Italy.
- Climb to Glory – How we built the ski industry.
- Mission Mt. Mangart – A ski race during WWII? Yep.
- The High Ground – Our modern soldiers keeping the alpine spirit alive.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Whether you’re a veteran, a descendant, or just someone who loves the mountains, the 10th Mountain Division’s legacy is alive and well in every Olympic ski race, every snowy slope, and every story of grit and glory.
So, when the torch is lit in Italy, raise a glass (or a ski pole) to the Division that helped make it all possible. Tune in, cheer loud, and support Team USA—because this Olympic story is yours too.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Want to know more? Read this!
Press Release
26 October 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympic Glory: Milano Cortina 2026 and the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division
LAKEWOOD, CO — As the world turns its eyes to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the 10th Mountain Division Foundation proudly salutes all U.S. athletes competing across Italy. These Olympians not only represent the nation—they carry the proud lineage of the U.S. Army’s legendary 10th Mountain Division.
Born in World War II from America’s finest winter athletes and outdoorsmen, the 10th Mountain Division helped liberate Italy and later ignited a boom in U.S. winter sports. After the war, its veterans returned home and transformed the ski industry—founding ski areas like Vail, Aspen, Sugarbush, and Whiteface Mountain, opening ski schools, publishing ski magazines, and serving as instructors and managers at over 62 resorts nationwide. Their fingerprints are etched into the very fabric of American skiing.
With more Olympians than any other large combat unit in U.S. military history, the Division boasts 13 Winter and 6 Summer Olympians across 7 Olympic Games. The legacy continues today—Olympic skier River Radamus’ grandfather, Joe McNeal, served in the 10th during WWII.
As Cross Country Skier Magazine noted in 1987: “The impact of the Tenth is most clearly seen in downhill skiing. Aspen, Vail, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, and Crystal Mountain in the West; Sugarbush, Whiteface, Black Mountain, Attitash, Mt Ascutney, Wildcat, and Cranmore back East were either started or managed by returning Tenth veterans.”
U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named the U.S. Army its first official armed forces partner, spotlighting the 10th Mountain Division’s legacy in building America’s ski and snowboard industry. Athletes will wear Army/10th Mountain Division patches for the 2025–26 World Cup season and Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games.
Reactivated in 1985, the 10th Mountain Division remains the most deployed Division in the U.S. Army, with missions spanning Somalia, Haiti, Egypt, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Europe and disaster relief across the U.S. Headquartered at Fort Drum, NY—just two hours from Lake Placid, home of the first U.S. Winter Olympics—the Division continues to serve with distinction.
The 10th Mountain Division Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to honoring and perpetuating the legacy of this elite unit.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Marc Cleveland
Executive Director
10th Mountain Division Foundation
719-659-2154
www.10thmountainfoundation.org
Additional Information
Olympic Legacy
The Division proudly claims 19 Olympians—16 athletes and 3 coaches—who competed in 7 Olympic Games (1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1972, and 1988), including:
- William W. Boddington – 1932 & 1936 Summer Olympics (Field Hockey)
- Robert Livermore – 1936 Winter Olympics (Slalom & Combined)
- Birger Torrissen – 1936 Winter Olympics (Cross-Country Skiing)
- Merrill Barber – 1936 Winter Olympics (Ski Jumping)
- Paul Perrault – 1936 Winter Olympics (Ski Jumping)
- Roy Mikkelsen – 1936 Winter Olympics (Ski Jumping)
- Earl Thomson – 1932, 1936, 1948 Summer Olympics (Equestrian; Division Chief of Staff)
- Walter Prager – 1948 Winter Olympics Coach (Downhill, Slalom, Cross-Country, Jumping)
- Gordon Wren – 1948 Winter Olympics (Ski Jumping)
- Steve Knowlton – 1948 Winter Olympics (Slalom Skiing)
- Ralph Townsend – 1948 Winter Olympics (Cross-Country Skiing)
- Devereaux Jennings – 1948 Winter Olympics (Downhill Skiing)
- Ollie Manninen – 1948 Summer Olympics (Marathon)
- Chummy Broomhall – 1948 & 1952 Winter Olympics (Cross-Country Skiing)
- Floyd Simmons – 1948 & 1952 Summer Olympics (Decathlon)
- Crosby Perry-Smith – 1952 Winter Olympics (Ski Jumping)
- Freidel Pfeifer – 1956 Winter Olympics (Women’s Ski Coach)
- Bill Bowerman – 1972 Summer Olympics (Track & Field Coach)
- Web Wright – 1988 Summer Olympics (Shooting)
Notable Connections
- Charles Minot “Minnie” Dole – Founder of the National Ski Patrol who petitioned for the creation of U.S. Mountain Troops; buried in Paul Smiths, NY—close to Fort Drum.
- Ollie Manninen – Olympic marathoner credited with rescuing his wounded lieutenant—future Senator and Presidential candidate Bob Dole—in March 1945.
- Whiteface Mountain – Dedicated to the Division in 1958; hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- Wilfred S. “Slim” Davis – USFA liaison official for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games.
- Ralph A. “Doc” Des Roches – S. Olympic Ski Games Committee (years unknown).
- Glenn Hawkins – Timing official, 1960 Olympic Winter Games.
- Elvin Johnson – Assistant chief of course for Nordic events, 1960 Winter Olympic Games.
- Fritz L. Kramer – Alpine events official, 1960 Winter Olympic Games.
- Richard Stillman – Snow safety official, 1960 Winter Olympic Games.
- Felix M. Walburg – Involved in design of facilities for 1960 Winter Olympic Games.
- Harald “Pop” Sorensen – Jumping coach, U.S. Olympic Team, 1952.
- Donald Henderson – Alpine events coach, U.S. Olympic team and Holderness School, NH.
- Ed Link – S. Olympic Alpine events official.
- William A. Healy – Honorary captain, U.S. Olympic Biathlon Ski Team, 1992 and 1994.
Additional Olympic Affiliates
- Nelson Bennett – Manager of the 1956 Alpine Team; Assistant Director of Ski Events (1960 Squaw Valley); Chief of Course (1980 Lake Placid)
- Chelton Leonard – Sports Technical Director, 1960 Squaw Valley
- William “Rope Sole” Robertson – Athletic Trainer, 1964 Tokyo Olympics
- Lloyd Valdemar “Skippy” Baxter – 1940 Figure Skating (Games canceled)
- Johnny Litchfield – 1940 Ski Jump (Games canceled)
Associated Organizations:
- S. Army 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office – https://home.army.mil/drum/about/Garrison/public-affairs
- National Association of the 10th Mountain Division – https://10thmtndivassoc.org/
- 10th Mountain Division Descendant Organization – https://10thmtndivdesc.org/
- 10th Mountain Alpine Club – https://www.10thmountainalpineclub.com/
- 10th Mountain Division Huts Association – https://huts.org
Museum Exhibits:
- 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum – https://home.army.mil/drum/about/10th-mountain-division-fort-drum-museum
- Colorado Snowsports Museum – https://snowsportsmuseum.org/
- New England Ski Museum – https://skimuseum.org/
- Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum – https://www.vtssm.org/
- History Colorado – http://www.historycolorado.org/
Historical Expertise & Archives:
- Denver Public Library – 10th Mountain Division Resource Center https://history.denverlibrary.org/research/western-history/10th-mountain-division-resource-center
- 10th Mountain Division Living History Group – http://www.tenthmountain.org/
- Ninety Pound Rucksack Podcast – https://christianbeckwith.com/podcast-episodes/
Notable Films and Documentaries:
Fire on the Mountain (1996)
- Directed by George and Beth Gage, this film follows the Division from training at Camp Hale to combat in Italy, and their role in founding the ski industry.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c6L4s07YDQ
Climb to Glory (2013)
- Produced by Warren Miller Entertainment, this documentary highlights how 10th Mountain Division veterans transformed the U.S. ski industry.
Link: https://warrenmiller.com/causes/climb-to-glory-legacy-of-the-10th-mountain-ski-troopers
Mission Mt. Mangart (2021)
- Directed by Chris Anthony, this award-winning film tells the story of a 1945 ski race held by the 10th Mountain Division in the Julian Alps during WWII.
Link: https://www.chrisanthony.com/
The Last Ridge: The Uphill Battles of the 10th Mountain Division (2021)
- Narrated by NPR’s Scott Simon, this documentary chronicles the Division’s WWII campaign in Italy and its post-war impact on winter sports.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofwgUgXrAec
The High Ground (2025)
- Produced by Army University Films, this film connects the Division’s WWII alpine roots to modern-day soldiers through events like the D-Series and Hale to Vail Traverse.
Link: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Films/Feature-Film-Catalog/The-High-Ground/
