Manchester City Library

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Tales of the 10th: The Mountain Troops and American Skiing

November 26th, 2021 · No Comments · City Library, Events, Main Branch, West Branch

Join the Manchester City Library on December 7th, 2021 at 7:00pm for a virtual presentation on the unique history of American skiing and outdoor recreation. Jeff Leich, Executive Director of the New England Ski Museum, will discuss the history of the 10th Mountain Division, and how its formation shaped one of the most popular winter sports in America.

On November 15, 1941, the first unit of what would become the 10th Mountain Division was activated. The 10th Mountain was a unique American military unit that recruited and trained skiers and mountaineers to operate in mountain and winter warfare. Two winters of training in the high mountains of Colorado tested the stamina of its soldiers, and prepared them for combat in the Apennine Mountains of Italy. There, the 10th compiled a distinguished war record despite heavy casualties. After the war, many veterans of the cohesive unit guided and enhanced the growth of American skiing and outdoor recreation: Vail and A-Basin in Colorado, Crystal Mountain, Washington, Mount Bachelor, Oregon, Nike, the Sierra Club, and the National Outdoor Leadership School all were founded or influenced by veterans of the mountain troops.

Jeff Leich has been Executive Director of the New England Ski Museum in Franconia, NH since 1997. Leich is the editor of the Journal of the New England Ski Museum, and produces most of the exhibits that the Museum changes on an annual basis.

For questions, call Susan Harmon at 603-624-6550 x3320 or email [email protected]

Signup for this program is not required, but if you’d like a reminder email, you can sign up through our library calendar! You’ll also receive an email with the Zoom meeting link! Visit www.manchesterlibrary.org and click on “Upcoming Events” to view the library calendar. Click here to be taken directly to the event, or copy and paste the link below into your browser.

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