February 19, 2025 – Yesterday, skiers and mountaineers across the U.S. and in Italy took part in the second annual Ninety-Pound Rucksack Challenge, an event honoring the 80th anniversary of the 10th Mountain Division’s historic World War II ascent of Italy’s Riva Ridge and their post-war contributions to American skiing.
The Challenge, which calls on participants to ascend a ski slope or backcountry route on February 18th at 7 p.m. local time—the anniversary of the Riva Ridge ascent—saw skiers and climbers from 21 states engaged in the Challenge at fifteen ski resorts and three backcountry areas. Participants included the US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, who climbed Riva Ridge not once but twice, including yesterday.
Ski resorts hosting a Challenge on their slopes included Ski Cooper and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Mad River Mountain, Alpine Valley and Brandywine in Ohio; Dartmouth Skiway in New Hampshire; Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts; Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania; Kelly Canyon in Idaho; Mont Ripley in Michigan; Snow Ridge, Dry Hill and Whiteface Mountain in New York; and White Pass in Washington.
Additionally, seven members of Flathead Nordic Backcountry Ski Patrol in Whitefish, Montana, skied five and a half miles with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet as part of their tribute, while ten backcountry skiers ascended 1,600 feet on Mt. Glory in Jackson Hole. The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, meanwhile, followed up a recon of Riva Ridge on February 11 with an ascent of the escarpment on the anniversary of the daring nighttime assault that marked a turning point in the Italian Campaign of WWII
“The Challenge is about more than just physical endurance—it’s about remembering the sacrifices of those who came before us and honoring the spirit of the veterans whose service allows us to enjoy the mountains today,” said Christian Beckwith, the Challenge’s founder and the host of the award-winning Ninety-Pound Rucksack podcast. “Having so many participants across the country, and seeing the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team summit Riva Ridge once again, is a powerful tribute to the men who shaped not only the outcome of the war but also the future of outdoor recreation in America.”
The Challenge, now an annual event, invites individuals and teams to experience a small piece of what the original 10th Mountain Division soldiers endured—carrying packs uphill at night in frigid conditions, just as the soldiers of the 10th did in the Italian mountains in 1945. It also highlights the deep historical connection between the unit and the development of outdoor recreation, as many 10th Mountain veterans went on to help build America’s ski industry after the war.
With participation growing every year, organizers are already at work on the 2026 Challenge, applying lessons learned from this year’s event to inspire athletes, veterans, and outdoor enthusiasts to participate next February.