Active duty military offered season pass to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows for $25

Two good news stories out of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows today.

First, they are now offering a season pass to all active duty military in exchange for a $25 donation to the “Military to the Mountains” program, a partnership between Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, High Fives Foundation, Achieve Tahoe (formerly Disabled Sports USA Far West) and Adaptive Training Foundation.

Secondly, they are using the funds in this foundation to train ten injured veterans of the United States armed forces on the slopes of Squaw Valley this spring.

The program has raised $50,000 already this season.

“Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has a proud history of supporting the programs offered by both the High Fives Foundation and Achieve Tahoe, as well as providing the men and women that serve our great country with complimentary skiing,” said Andy Wirth, president and chief executive officer of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “To further support those who serve in our armed forces, the new active duty military season pass program we have implemented this year will allow for the ‘Military to the Mountains’ program to be continually funded year after year.”

The resort now provides a Silver Tahoe Super Pass to military personnel, along with a note of appreciation and a challenge coin for a donation of $25, of which all proceeds support non-profit organizations “22Kill” and “Military to the Mountains.” Additional donations are also accepted at the resort on behalf of these organizations, and online donations will be coming soon. Those interested in purchasing this pass must present their U.S. Active Duty Military ID at the Guest Services and Sales Center at Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows.

“It’s incumbent upon us all to voice and demonstrate our deep sense of appreciation for the men and women who serve our country in the military. For those veterans who have suffered life altering injuries, this is just one more way to help them as we welcome them to our two legendary mountains,” Wirth said.

"The program is off to a great start, with more than $50,000 having already been raised, and year end projections expected to near the $100,000 mark. This means that the men and women who have served our country and have been injured in doing so will have the opportunity to learn to ski or ride with the help of High Fives and the ‘Military to the Mountains’ program this year and for the long-term,” Wirth continued.

Created by the High Fives Foundation following the success veteran Marine Corporal Jacob (Jake) Schick achieved while skiing at Squaw Valley during the 2014-15 winter season, the “Military to the Mountains” program is collective effort between High Fives Foundation, Adaptive Training Foundation, Achieve Tahoe and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. The organizations successfully worked together to provide Schick with training prior to visiting Squaw Valley, and with adaptive skiing instruction once on the mountain, and will continue to do so for other injured military veterans.

This year, the program will begin in January 2016 with a 9-week training class at the Dallas, TX based Adaptive Training Foundation, founded and operated by retired NFL linebacker, David Vobora. The mission of the Adaptive Training Foundation is to provide modified methods of training to restore hope through movement to those with physical impairments. Their role in this effort is to train military veterans who have been severely injured to be physically ready for adaptive skiing lessons.
Following the 9-week training, High Fives and Adaptive Training Foundation will bring the 10 veteran athletes to Reno on flights hosted by American Airlines. The athletes will then stay and ski at Squaw Valley with Achieve Tahoe adaptive ski instructors from March 27 through April 1, 2016.

“Witnessing the success Jake had on the mountain, and realizing the positive impact skiing had on his recovery – physically and emotionally – we are excited to expand the ‘Military to the Mountains’ program this year and into the future,” said Roy Tuscany, executive director of High Fives Foundation. “With this contribution, we will be able to make this program sustainable for years to come. Our goal is to bring the experience of sliding on snow to veterans both locally and across the country.”