REQ: Info. on US Army Cold War era unit

[Marshall_Nord]

Does anyone have any information on a ski detachment of the US Army that operated in the Bavarian Alps during the early 1980’s? I have a co-worker in his late 40’s who talks about his tour in the “Ski Patrol”. I’m curious if this type of unit even existed.

Thanks

Marshall Nord

[Albatross]

Can you give us anymore information? What unit was he attached too? His MOS? Exact years?

If you give us a bit more info, we can confirm it.

[SpeedyHedgehog]

I'm not sure if this is what you're referring to or not, but it's worth a try. I was stationed in Germany from 1978-80 and again from 1983-86. The US Army had Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) in Berchtesgaden and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (very much in the Alps, there was also one in Chiemsee I think). Units could schedule trips there for varying periods of time, or you could go on your own. During the time I was stationed in Frankfurt we went to both Garmisch and Berchtesgaden. IIRC Garmisch had like 4 different hotels you could stay in, at varying price ranges. I believe we stayed at the Patton Hotel, there was a General Walker Hotel also.

Anyway, apparently, if you were stationed in Germany you could apply to be assigned there temporary duty (TDY) as a member of what was referred to as the "Ski Patrol" (I assume you had to have skiing experience). Some people even became Permanent Party. It was a very plush assignment. This link has a bunch of people reminiscing about their time either in the ski patrol, or "hanging out" with the ski patrol.

www.afrcski.com/Downloads/Downloads_GetFile.aspx?id=743 (http://www.afrcski.com/Downloads/Downloads_GetFile.aspx?id=743)

I hope this helps.

[Marshall_Nord]

@SpeedyHedgehog

Thanks much! This is exactly what I was looking for. :)

[Britboy]

As an aside, the NATO International LRRP School was in Germany, and I imagine they may have had to learn skiing on courses there?

[sgtbilly]

Marshall;

Soldiers and Airmen worked at AFRC personnel at three facilities for both winter and summer until it was disbanded because of wrongful funding. Usually referred to as the Ski Patrol, the area drew from military personnel from 1950 until 1989-91. Most of the positions were taken over by Germans or civilian hiring in 1990 or done away with. I was a ski patrolman in Berchtesgaden until I got out of the Army in 1974 and returned as a civilian in late 1975 and worked there until 1978. And moved to Bad Toelz but after Desert Storm moved back as a civilian and stayed until 1996. Today the webgroup @ (www.afrcski.com (http://www.afrcski.com)) boasts of having more then 300 members. If you tell your friend to look at the roster at the above site, I am sure he will know someone. Depending if he was at Berchtesgaden/Chiemsee/Garmisch. We have reunions every year and its all about skiing. Servus !!http://billshootspeople.smugmug.com/Travel/Berchtesgaden-2008/4286405_tsM9K#252802356_zQotC

[eATS]

i remember in the 80's busloads of US Army soldiers would train in big and little cottonwood canyons. in the summer they go on the other side of timpanogos peak

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Cottonwood_Canyon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Cottonwood_Canyon

there are 4 ski resorts there.
good place to train for afghanistan.



i remember 3 pairs of their skis fell off the bus right on the side of my house, we called them on the phone and someone picked them up the next day.