Whitefish Ski Museum unveils new exhibit

The Ski Heritage Center Museum this week will open its new 10th Mountain Division exhibit honoring the legendary 10th Mountain Division of World War II. Funded by grants and matching donations, the exhibit will be unveiled at an open house taking place on Aug. 26 and 27 at the Ski Heritage Center Museum in Whitefish.

The original 10th Mountain Division was formed in November 1941. It was the only U.S. military unit since the Civil War to be recruited by a civilian entity, the National Ski Patrol. Many of its soldiers were skiers, as well as forest rangers, lumberjacks, outfitters and guides — anyone that could take care of themselves in the outdoors in all seasons.

The division was re-designated the 10th Mountain Division in 1944 and fought in some of the roughest terrain in World War II, including a series of daring assaults against the German army in the northern Apennine Mountains of Italy.

The new “Ski Troops” exhibit features the Flathead Valley men who served in this winter warfare unit. The exhibit includes the story of how soldiers from the 10th returned home all across America and laid the foundation for today’s modern ski industry.

Whitefish Mountain Resort’s own story of 10th Mountain Division veteran, Austrian immigrant and skiing legend Toni Matt, and how he helped put Big Mountain Ski Resort atop the post-war North American ski scene is featured in the exhibit.

A generous grant was awarded to the Ski Heritage Center Museum by the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation (TMDF), a partner organization Tenth Mountain Living History, and matching donations from museum membership, local supporters and fundraising for the museum.

The museum will be closed through Thursday to complete the exhibit construction. Starting Aug. 26, the museum will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Oct. 1. An open house will be held Friday and Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the exhibit. The public is invited to come to see the new exhibit and enjoy coffee, soft drinks and snacks.

The Ski Heritage Center Museum is located at 705 Wisconsin Avenue in the historic Saddle Club cabin adjacent to the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish. For more information visit https://www.fvsef.org/ski-museum