The 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army is one of the most storied and specialized units in American military history, renowned for its expertise in alpine and arctic warfare. The division was conceived during World War II in response to the escalating need for troops capable of fighting in mountainous terrain. In the late 1930s, Finnish soldiers' adeptness in winter warfare during the Soviet invasion of Finland showcased the effectiveness of troops trained specifically for rugged, snowy environments. Inspired by these events, Charles Minot Dole, the founder of the National Ski Patrol, proposed the creation of a specialized U.S. military unit. After gaining support from General George Marshall, the Army activated the 10th Light Division (Alpine) at Camp Hale, Colorado, in 1943, which later became the 10th Mountain Division.
Training for the division was rigorous and unique, encompassing skiing, mountain climbing, and survival skills. Camp Hale, nestled in the Colorado Rockies at an altitude of 9,200 feet, was an ideal location for the grueling training regimen these soldiers underwent. The men of the 10th Mountain Division, often called "ski troopers," were required to endure extreme cold, carry heavy packs up steep, snow-covered slopes, and learn technical mountaineering. The division attracted outdoor enthusiasts, skiers, and mountaineers from across the country, making it one of the most physically capable and resilient units in the Army. This intensive preparation proved invaluable when they were deployed to the Italian Alps in 1945 to engage in some of the war’s most challenging battles.
The 10th Mountain Division saw combat in the Italian Campaign, where their primary objective was to break through German defensive positions in the Northern Apennines. The division faced treacherous conditions as they advanced across rugged peaks and through heavy enemy fortifications. In February 1945, they launched a critical assault on Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere, two heavily defended positions that had stalled Allied forces for months. Under cover of night and against daunting odds, the 10th Mountain Division successfully captured these positions, clearing a path for further Allied advances into the Po Valley. Their success in the Italian Alps earned the division a reputation for bravery and resilience and solidified their place in military history as exceptional mountain fighters.
Following World War II, the 10th Mountain Division was deactivated, but its legacy endured, as many veterans from the unit went on to shape the American outdoor recreation industry. Former members became pioneers in the development of skiing, climbing, and national outdoor infrastructure, contributing to the rapid growth of the sport in the United States. The division was reactivated in 1985 as a light infantry division, adapted for rapid deployment rather than mountain warfare, yet its legacy of specialized training and resilience continued. The "Climb to Glory" motto, along with the division's emblem depicting a bayonet over crossed ski poles, remained a tribute to its mountain warfare origins.
Since its reactivation, the 10th Mountain Division has become one of the most deployed divisions in the U.S. Army, participating in numerous modern conflicts, including operations in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Although its focus has shifted from alpine warfare to a broader light-infantry role, the division’s history of adapting to unique and challenging environments continues to define it. Today, the 10th Mountain Division is recognized for its versatility and toughness, building on a legacy that began in the Rockies and was cemented in the Italian Alps. Through each deployment, the division embodies its historic motto, showcasing the endurance and courage that have made it a distinctive force in the U.S. military.
