A ski resort with Army ties is offering those who served and their families the experience of a lifetime at an epic rate.
Vail Resorts is known the world over for its quality collection of mountain ski resorts. Its devotion to the military has served as a guiding light since its inception nearly 70 years ago. Its founders include Pete Seibert, a 10th Mountain Division veteran, and Army engineer Earl Eaton; both served in World War II.
Vail Mountain, located in Colorado, is the company namesake and first resort. Even today, Vail Resorts continues to have military roots that run deep. At its upstate New York location, for example, Hunter Mountain’s Manager of Health and Safety Kristin Benjamin is also a 1st Class Petty Officer and Navy reservist. When not serving as a sonar technician, she can be found at Hunter Mountain.
“I’ve worked here in the ski industry for 24 years and began as a ski instructor when I was just 15 years old,” she said.
Benjamin adds, “I was born into the ski industry — my parents met while working at Hunter Mountain as weekend instructors. My dad continues to teach even now, 46 years later. Though my mom retired from instructing, she still enjoys skiing the slopes.”
Popular East Coast draw
Hunter Mountain offers easy access just 1.5 hours from West Point and 2.5 hours from New York City. Another huge draw is the guaranteed snow. “We are known as the snowmaking capital of the world,” Benjamin explained. “We were the first-ever resort to offer 100 percent snowmaking on all our trails. We constantly make snow throughout the year to keep conditions refreshed and fun.”
Logistics aside, one of the main attractions at Vail Resorts is the Epic Military Pass, an offering that debuted in 2018.
“With the pass priced at under $200, active-duty military members – who often have limited annual leave – can now take their families on ski vacations, creating cherished moments together. That alone is incredibly rewarding,” Benjamin said.
Epic Military Pass products “not only honor the service of the Vail Resorts founders, it’s also a tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, and the Australian Defense Force.”
Benjamin reminds readers, “Our company commitment to supporting military families and veterans is a testament to the enduring legacy of the 10th Mountain Division, and the spirit of service that has become an integral part of our history, and ongoing culture.”
10th Mountain spirit and legacy
Vail Resorts’ military ties can also be found in Vermont, where the 10th Mountain Division history is inextricably linked to the company’s Stowe Mountain Resort, according to Brian Linder, ski patroller and ‘unofficial’ historian for the resort.
“My father was ski patrol director at Stowe Mountain Resort just after World War II, and I have been a member of the ski patrol here for 51 years,” Linder said.
Sharing some of that history, Linder shared that he comes from a family of veterans, including his dad who served in the 87th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division, and uncles who also served in the 10th.
“While growing up, most of my ski race coaches were also 10th Mountain veterans, too,” Linder told Military Families Magazine. “Returning 10th vets basically founded the ski industry in America.”
At Stowe Mountain Resort, for example, there are 16 10th Mountain Division veterans on staff.
“The vets at Stowe include instructors, patrollers, rent and repair staff, ski shop personnel, and various staff for anything ski related.”
To discover the Vail Resort nearest you, visit www.vailresorts.com/.
