22 disabled veterans heading to Lake Tahoe for special week at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows

Twenty-two injured veterans will arrive at the Reno-Tahoe airport Sunday evening and head to Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows for 3rd annual Military to the Mountains program through March 17, 2018.

Eight of the veterans are residents of the Reno/Sparks area and will join the arrival celebration at 7:45 p.m. at the airport near the ski statue.

The week long adaptive ski week is sponsored by High Fives Foundation, Adaptive Training Foundation, City of Reno, Achieve Tahoe and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows offers active duty military season passes for a $99 donation; 100% of funds support Military to the Mountains program and Special Ops Survivors. They expect to bring in more than $300,000 this year in season pass sales, making it possible to expand the program for injured veterans in years to come.

“We are deeply appreciative of the men and women who serve our country and are honored to support them with the Military to the Mountains program,” said Andy Wirth, President of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “By continuing the season pass program for active duty military members we aim to continue and expand our partnerships with High Fives Foundation and Adaptive Training Foundation, and bring even more veterans to our slopes year after year.”

The Military to the Mountain program is organized by the High Fives Foundation whose mission is to provide resources and inspiration to outdoor sports athletes who suffer life-altering injuries. Private contributions, corporate sponsors and funds raised through the sale of the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows active military pass (raised $174,000 in 2017) make the program financial possible.

Prior to arriving to the slopes, 22 injured veterans participate in 9-week program hosted by High Fives Foundation and Adaptive Training Foundation, with the goal of readying their bodies for adaptive skiing lessons. Fifteen athletes train 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 empower the human athlete, restore hope through movement, and redefine the limits of individuals with disabilities. Their role in this effort is to train military veterans who have been severely injured to be physically ready for adaptive skiing lessons. The remaining 7 athletes split their 9-week training regimen between the City of Reno, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and High Fives Foundation, with the same goal of readying their bodies for adaptive skiing lessons.

Following the 9-week training, High Fives and Adaptive Training Foundation bring the 15 Texas athletes to Reno on flights hosted by American Airlines to meet up with the seven local athletes. All 22 athletes will then stay in the Village at Squaw Valley and ski at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows with Achieve Tahoe adaptive ski instructors.

All “on-hill” snow sports will be instructed by the professionals at Achieve Tahoe. The 22 veterans will be navigating the snow in multiple modalities based on injury. Some participants will be using mono-skis or bi-skis provided by Achieve Tahoe, some will be dawning “stand up” skis, boots and poles provided by K2 Sports and some will be on snowboards provided by the Squaw Valley Demo Shop.

When Military to the Mountain concludes on March 17, and the 22 US Veterans are met at Reno International Airport by a Large Honor Guard send off, it is the hope that each participant took something away from the program; whether it’s becoming physically stronger, finding a new love for snow sports, making a lifelong friend or sharing laughter with existing friends.

The resort will continue to provide a Silver Tahoe Super Pass to active duty military personnel, along with a note of appreciation and a challenge coin for a donation of $99, of which all proceeds support the Military to the Mountains program and Special Ops Survivors. Additional donations are also accepted at the resort on behalf of the organization. The donation amount will ensure that the Military to the Mountains program will both remain sustainable, and continue to grow, year after year, with the potential of offering multiple 10-week sessions in years to come.