Imagine combat training as a war draftee in the 1940’s: Being told to secure heavy, wooden planks to your feet for charging down a snowy traverse while carrying your pack and rifle. Picture learning those ski skills bogged down with the additional weight, on a slope with hundreds of thousands of other recruits—some who had never even touched snow, let alone skied on it.

Now, you can see that picture: Warren Miller Entertainment has teamed up with The Colorado Ski Museum and Wish of a Lifetime to produce Climb to Glory, which recounts the legacy of the 10^th Mountain Division Ski Troopers.

Thousands of soldiers were trained at Camp Hale (in the Eagle River Valley of Colorado between Red Cliff and Leadville) and sent oversees to battle in World War II. Following their return to the U.S., their passion and mastery for skiing became an integral catalyst for the recreational ski industry. Two notable examples: Friedl Pfeifer founded the Aspen Skiing Corporation and Aspen Ski School, and Pete Seibert helped to found Vail Ski Resort and competed on the U.S. Olympic team in 1948. Climb to Glory captures this rich history with top-notch cinematography that aims to reel younger generations into the 10th Mountain Division's colorful past. 

The documentary is narrated by Wish of a Lifetime founder and former NFL football player Jeremy Bloom, who’s also been a World Cup gold-medalist and Olympic freestyle moguls skier. After the premiere, members of the historic 10^th Mountain Division will host a Q&A session, and a live performance by local rock-n-rollers The Moderators will cap off the night. 

Get Involved: Catch the film Thursday night at 6 p.m., at the Oriental Theatre. VIP tickets are still available—but grab yours soon, because even those are going fast. Ticket proceeds will be split between Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum and Wish of a Lifetime. The film is also available for preview at private screenings for nonprofits and museum profits and will be released on DVD later this year. 

—Image courtesy of Braden Gunem and Warren Miller Entertainment