Wounded Warrior Winter Event February 27-March 1, 2012
Wounded warriors from our nation’s military will gather together at Snowbird, the premiere alpine ski resort in the high Wasatch Mountains southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah for World T.E.A.M. Sports’ inspiring Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird adaptive ski and winter sport event. The February 27-March 1, 2012 event will include 15 disabled veterans participating in a variety of snow activities.
The Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird will team disabled participants with skilled instructors to learn and experience skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and other winter sports activities. World T.E.A.M. Sports is partnering with the respected Wasatch Adaptive Sports and Snowbird Resort for this event.
“We are very excited to be working with the folks at Snowbird and the Wasatch Adaptive Sports program to be able to bring this exciting event to our nation’s heroes,” said World T.E.A.M. Sports President Paul Bremer. “Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird will allow wounded warriors to learn and enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding under the professional supervision of the skilled instructors at Snowbird.”
“At American Airlines, supporting U.S. service members, veterans, and their families is an extremely important, long-term commitment,” said Captain Jim Palmersheim, Managing Director – Veterans Initiatives for American Airlines. “We are honored to provide air transportation through our partnership with Air Compassion for Veterans, an organization that our employees support through our fuel savings initiatives. On behalf of everyone at American and American Eagle, we are proud to contribute to this event, which will have a positive impact on the lives of our nation’s heroes.”
World T.E.A.M. Sports and Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird expedition partners American Airlines, Snowbird Resort, the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird, and Wasatch Adaptive Sports, will cover participating wounded warrior expenses, including travel, lodging, food and winter sports lessons.
Expedition Participants
The Soldiers
Nicholas Allen (Army) – West Chester, Ohio
Ada Bauer (USAF) – Springboro, Ohio
William Beard (Army) – Vicksburg, Mississippi
Amanda Brewer (USAF) – Cabot, Arkansas
Thomas Chaney (USAF) – Bonners Ferry, Idaho
David Devoux (Army) – Torrance, California
Michael Hall (Army) – Brea, California
Dane Kaimuloa (USMC) – Temecula, California
Edmund Kozlowski (USAF) – Land O Lakes, Florida
Paula Litch (Army) – Issaquah, Washington
Mark Mix (Navy) – Ross, Ohio
Victor Montiel (USMC) – El Monte, California
Katherine Ragazzino (USMC) – San Diego, California
Charles Register (Army) – Santa Ana, California
Darrin Snyder (USMC) – Yorktown, Virginia
Expedition Activities
Wounded warrior participants of the Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird expedition will stay at the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird during their time at the Snowbird Resort. Following breakfast each day, participants will select from a variety of snow sport activities at the resort, including skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other outdoor pursuits. The group will gather together for lunch and for dinner each day.
There will also be yoga classes for the participants and access to the heated pool and jacuzzi at the Cliff Lodge. A massage therapist will be on hand to provide massages after a day of activities.
Expedition Facilities
Named Outside Magazine’s #1 winter ski resort for North America in 2008, Snowbird Resort is located in the scenic Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Little Cottonwood Canyon, one mile down canyon from Alta. Only 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, Snowbird averages about 500 inches of snow each winter. Featuring a vertical drop of over 3,200 feet, and 2,500 skiable acres, the resort has a top elevation of 11,000 feet. Terrain at the resort is 73 percent intermediate and expert, with the longest run at 2.5 miles. Open since December 1971, the resort was host to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird opened for business in 1973, and has had several major renovations in the decades since its opening. Offering Snowbird Resort’s only ski-out, ski-in accessibility, the Lodge serves as the flagship hotel for the resort. Located in the hotel are three restaurants, two lounges, two swimming pools and four hot tubs. An 11 story atrium in the Cliff Lodge offers superb views of the mountain. The hotel offers 512 rooms on 13 floors.
Expedition Partner
Wasatch Adaptive Sports was founded in 1977 and helps provide affordable recreational and educational programs for children, veterans, and adults with special needs. A 501(c)3 foundation, Wasatch Adaptive Sports provides full or partial scholarships so all interested persons can participate. The organization’s programs build strength, stamina and self-esteem while enhancing the quality of life for participants. Operating year-round, Wasatch Adaptive Sports provides rewarding activities. These include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and adaptive hockey in the winter; hiking, fishing, orienteering, bicycling and tram rides during the summer. Additional activities include adaptive horseback riding and bowling.
Regional organizations participating in the Wasatch Adaptive Sports programs include Primary Children’s Medical Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Rehabilitation Center at University of Utah Health Care, the VA Medical Center, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the greater Salt Lake Area.
Past Soldiers to the Summit Expeditions
In October 2010, World T.E.A.M. Sports directed the first Soldiers to the Summit event, an expedition to Nepal with wounded warriors that successfully climbed 20,075-foot Lobuche East near Mount Everest. This successful expedition has led to the Snowbird winter event, with future challenging events planned in the Soldiers to the Summit series.
For 25 years, World T.E.A.M. Sports has used athletics to challenge disabled and non-disabled men, women and children to accomplish goals they never thought possible. Our past events include the Soldiers to the Summit Nepal Expedition in 2010, an annual Face of America ride honoring wounded warriors in Washington DC, the annual Adventure TEAM Challenge in Colorado, the 2009 Coastal Team Challenge in the Pacific Northwest, and the Sea to Shining Sea, a cross country ride for wounded warriors in 2010.
Snowbird Resort in Utah is one of America's premiere winter sports resorts. Located in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the resort is 29 miles from Salt Lake City. This image and the above image are courtesy of the Snowbird Resort.
