100 Soldiers of Vermont Army National Guard Mountain Battalion Train With Vermont Adaptive at Bolton Valley This Sunday, March 1
| BOLTON, Vt. (Feb. 25, 2026) — More than 100 members of the Vermont Army National Guard’s Company A, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) will train this Sunday, March 1, at Bolton Valley Resort in partnership with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ Veteran Ventures program, blending mountain skills development with camaraderie and team building. Approximately 100 soldiers are expected to participate in skiing lessons and instruction to advance individual level skills and strengthen unit cohesion. Of those attending, more than 75 identify as beginner-level skiers, including 14 who have never been on skis. The average age of participating soldiers is 26, with service members ranging from 19- to 42-years-old. The training weekend serves as a highly impactful opportunity for Soldiers to train outside a traditional tactical environment while remaining mission-focused. Focused on enhancing downhill skiing proficiency, the training enables Soldiers to operate at a higher level during tactical exercises in mountainous winter terrain. This specialized training not only strengthens morale, resilience, confidence and individual technical skill, but also prepares the unit for more advanced winter operations. The training reflects the battalion’s renewed emphasis on winter and mountain warfare skills — capabilities that distinguish Vermont’s Mountain Battalion within the National Guard. While some soldiers arrive with strong ski backgrounds, many have limited or no experience. Vermont Adaptive instructors provide individualized coaching in an environment where participants can build foundational skills, gain confidence and progress at their own pace. “For our soldiers, skiing is both a critical mountain skill and an opportunity to strengthen unit esprit de corps,” unit leaders shared. “Vermont Adaptive provides professional instruction in a setting where our Soldiers can learn, make mistakes and improve quickly.” Following previous training sessions, enough soldiers developed advanced proficiency for the Company to apply for and receive approval from the Royal Norwegian Embassy to conduct the Norwegian Ski Badge Competition — making the battalion the first unit outside the Norwegian Armed Forces authorized to host the event. “It’s an honor for us to host these soldiers each year as they continue important training, learn to ski and tackle winter challenges,” said Misha Pemble-Belkin SSG (USA Retired), Vermont Adaptive’s veterans program coordinator. “Some of them have multiple combat tours. It is important for us to share the benefits of outdoor recreation and training and what that looks like beyond service as well.” More than 30 Vermont Adaptive volunteer instructors from across the state will support the event. The organization’s collaboration with Bolton Valley Resort ensures accessible instruction and terrain suitable for all ability levels. Since 1987, Vermont Adaptive has offered year-round programs specifically designed for injured service members, veterans with disabilities, and their families. Many years ago, Vermont Adaptive was a major destination for groups of physically disabled veterans from the Vietnam era and through and after the Persian Gulf crisis. Programs have evolved over the years to match the changes in the needs and interests of men and women who have been injured in the line of duty. Today, veterans with disabilities include those with both physical and invisible disabilities like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries. In 2025, Vermont Adaptive’s Veteran Ventures program provided more than 1,600 outings. Since 2017, the program has served more than 700 individual veterans and service members through over 10,000 outings and 35 multi-day retreats. To learn more, visit www.vermontadaptive.org/veterans/ ### |
About Vermont Adaptive Ski and SportsSince 1987, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. Year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical, and emotional/behavioral disabilities. Activities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding, Veterans programs and retreats, and more. More than 500 volunteers serve athletes from all over the world at Vermont Adaptive’s current winter program locations including Pico Mountain, Killington; Sugarbush Resort/Mt. Ellen, Waitsfield; Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton; Saskadena Six Ski Area, Woodstock; Bromley Mountain, Peru; Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton; and other various mountains upon request. In the summer and fall seasons, the organization provides adaptive adventures throughout Vermont including on the Burlington waterfront and bike path on Lake Champlain, Chittenden County, Waterbury/Montpelier and Mad River Valley, Rutland and Windsor Counties, the Manchester region, and points south. For a complete map of program locations and offerings, visit vermontadaptive.org. |