Press Release

Organizers Pick Dates for Angel Fire Military Winterfest 2019

News | Press Release | Winterfest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2019 CONTACT: Lysa Hopson, 312-402-0783 or email hidden; JavaScript is required

 

Organizers Pick Dates for Angel Fire Military Winterfest 2019

Features Inter-Service Races and Family Expo

 

ANGEL FIRE, N.M.  (March 24, 2018) – Angel Fire’s 5th Annual Military Winterfest will be a Rocky Mountain celebration for veterans, working military and their families Feb. 21 – 24, 2018 featuring skiing, snowboarding, tubing and Inter-service Fun Races.

Military Winterfest, which attracted more than 500 veterans, active military and their families in 2018, showcases Angel Fire Resort’s 10,677’ mountain with 80 runs, three terrain parks, 30 acres of gladed tree runs and nighttime skiing.  The festival features huge discounts; ski and snowboard lessons for vets, taught by vets; a Family Expo and Inter-service Fun Races. Other highlights include a family-friendly Celebratory Dinner, daily Twilight Colors Retirement Parades, and a Meet & Greet Social.

“2019 will be unique in that we’ve added many more family and non-skier activities,” said retired Air Force Col. Leland Hopson, Military Winterfest 2019 chair and board member, National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center Angel Fire (NVW&HC). “The community of Angel Fire loves all our military and will again roll out the red carpet to those coming out to have some fun in the mountains.”

Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, veterans certified 100% disabled, dependent families and Gold Star families are eligible to participate but need a valid identification card or other proof of service.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: The 2019 daily event schedule, lodging and sponsorship information will soon available on MilitaryWinterfest.com and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MilitaryWinterfest.

Key partners in Military Winterfest 2019: National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center of Angel Fire, event host and organizer; and the Angel Fire Resort, 5-Star corporate sponsor.

-end-

Military Winterfest 2019 directly supports the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center. The Center provides treatment for military individuals and families that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress. Its creative therapies have been nationally recognized for their effectiveness in treating the “Invisible Wounds of War.” For more, see National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center Angel Fire.

MEDIA ADVISORY: 2018 event photos are available.

 

Photo: Chris Schell

Photo: Michael Gilcrease

Photo: Michael Gilcrease

Local Veterans Invited to Winterfest Fun Races

News | Press Release | Winterfest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Linda Hughes email hidden; JavaScript is required or 410-703-8352

Local Veterans Invited to Winterfest Fun Races

Healthy Competition for the ‘Golden Ski’

ANGEL FIRE, N.M. (January 23, 2018) – Angel Fire’s 4th Annual Military Winterfest Feb. 22 – 26, a celebration for veterans, all military and family members, is opening up its Inter-Services Fun Races to area veterans.

Skiers and snowboarders of ALL experience levels are encouraged to sign up at http://www.militarywinterfest.com/#menu-racing or at the Winterfest Registration Table in the Angel Fire
Resort Lodge lobby before the races. The races begin atop Exhibition racecourse Sun., Feb. 25, 10 a.m. – noon. Racers will maneuver a course marked by closely spaced gates. Winners will be determined by the lowest combined time in two runs.

The Fun Races culminate in an award ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on the ski mountain’s Top Deck. “Local vets are encouraged to compete to find out if its Army, Air Force, USMC, Navy or the Coast Guard that has what it takes to earn the coveted “Golden Ski,” said Bill Hughes, Fun Race organizer. “Last year, Air Force won 1st Place! So, the Awards Ceremony should be a real crowd-pleaser.” “Have first time jitters? No worries,” Hughes said. “We’re aiming to have the racecourse set up for competitors to do a dry run!”

Winterfest’s Inter-service Fun Races have a legitimate military history, said Hughes. Skiing has long been employed for military purposes. Norwegian men on skis reconnoitered before the Battle of Oslo in 1200. Ski troops were used in Sweden in 1452, and from the 15th to the 17th century, skis were used in warfare in several counties. Military skiing
continued up through 1947 when Field Marshal Montgomery provided a break from routine training and operations to develop military skills on snow and ice. For those not competing, the five-day festival features a host of activities and discounts for all registered participants, including:

• Opening Ceremony Blessing;
• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing;
• Snowboard demos by Never Summer;
• Daily Twilight Colors Parade;
• Family Expo;
• Meet & Greet Social.
• Ski and snowboard lessons for vets, by vets;
• Adaptive athlete program for vets with disabilities;

Winterfest’s highpoint occurs mid-festival when former U.S. Army Golden Knight & double amputee, Dana Bowman skydives from an airplane making a precision landing onto the base of Angel Fire Resort’s ski mountain while carrying a colossal American flag.

REGISTER TO GO!

Early Online registration at mwf2018.eventbrite.com includes: Admission to all Winterfest activities; exclusive military discounts (lodging, lift tickets, equipment rentals, lessons and more); and a free long-sleeved t-shirt. Additionally, many Angel Fire restaurants, shops and lodging venues are offering special discounts to Winterfest attendees wearing the unique event bracelet.

Online Registration after January 15 or during the festival at the Winterfest Registration Desk:

• Veterans certified 100% disabled and up to 5 family members — FREE
• Individual (Veteran/Military Member) — $30
• Family (Veteran/Military Member and up to 5 family members) — $50

A Celebratory Dinner, Sat. Feb. 24, may be added on with Advanced Online purchase:
$10/adult, free for kids under 6, and free for veterans certified 100% disabled (not
including family members).

Angel Fire Resort Lodging, Lessons: http://bit.ly/Winterfest_2018 or call Central Reservations (575) 377-4320. For several other Village lodging options check MilitaryWinterfest.com for details.

For festival details and updates see MilitaryWinterfest.com,

Facebook.com/MilitaryWinterfest, Pinterest or follow Twitter @AFWinterfest. Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, retirees, dependent family members and Gold Star families are eligible to participate but must have a valid identification card or other proof of service.

Winterfest, which attracted more than 600 veterans, active military and their families last year, helps raise funds and awareness for the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center of Angel Fire. The Center is nationally known for using creative therapies in its weeklong Retreat Programs to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress.

Military Winterfest 2018 partner: Angel Fire Resort, a 5-Star corporate sponsor; and funded in part by the Village of Angel Fire lodgers tax.

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The registration fees paid when attending Military Winterfest 2018 are tax-deductible and directly support the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center. The Center provides treatment for military individuals and families that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress. Its creative therapies have been nationally recognized for their effectiveness in treating the “Invisible Wounds of War.” The natural setting of Angel Fire in the Sangre de Cristo mountains is the perfect location to bring couples to a place where healing in nature is optimal. The Veteran couples experience Native American hand washing ceremony and storytelling of the warrior culture and many more therapeutic techniques. These retreats are only possible with the help from donors & grant funding. For more, see National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center Angel Fire.

Retired Army Golden Knight, Double Amputee Dana Bowman Returns to Angel Fire

News | Press Release | Winterfest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Linda Hughes email hidden; JavaScript is required or 410-703-8352

 

Retired Army Golden Knight, Double Amputee Dana Bowman Returns to Angel Fire

Skydives into Military Winterfest February 24

 

ANGEL FIRE, N.M.  (January 3, 2018) – “Breathtaking,” “inspirational” and “goose bumpy” are words spectators used to describe how Dana Bowman jumped, quite literally into the hearts of Angel Fire’s residents and visitors during its Military Appreciation Weekend last February. But jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft and parachuting over thousands of spectators is SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for Bowman, a former member of the Army’s elite parachute team, the Golden Knights and double amputee.

Bowman returns to Angel Fire for the 4th Annual Military Winterfest to dazzle audiences with his signature American Flag Fly In Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10:15 a.m. Parachuting onto the base of Angel Fire Resort’s ski mountain with his two special prosthetic limbs, he will “land on a dime”—again. Bowman, who performs this feat more than 100 times each year, is determined to continue proving his long-held motto – “It’s not the disability; it’s the ability™.”

Bowman lost both legs in a parachuting accident in 1994 when he and his partner traveling at a combined speed of 300 mph collided in midair. Bowman’s legs were severed instantly. The impact killed his best friend and skydiving partner, Sgt. Jose Aguillon. “My life changed in one split second,” Bowman said. “But I’m here to say you can still make a difference. Our society today needs positive role models. I challenge all of you to learn and give back something.”

Brandishing a 2,000 sq. ft. American flag, Bowman said he was proud to be the first to jump onto Angel Fire’s slopes.  “It’s cold, breezy and the altitude makes it challenging,” he said.  “But it was nothing compared to the sacrifice that our veterans do for us each and every day.”

The retired Golden Knight has been the subject of hundreds of national and international news stories, including: Sports Illustrated, People Magazine, Discovery Channel, History Channel and Dateline NBC. Bowman retired from the Army after 20 years of service, performing his final jump as a Golden Knight into the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. His many awards and honors include a bronze star for valor in 1989 during the conflict in Panama as well as Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year in 1995. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in commercial aviation at the University of North Dakota in 2000 and resolved to spend the rest of his life serving his fellow disabled veterans – on the ground and in the air.

“I don’t have any legs, but I can fly multi-million dollar helicopters,” said Bowman, who remains the only double amputee instructor pilot in the world. “I can do anything I want to do, and I want to encourage veterans, kids and anybody to imagine what they can do.”

Through his motivational speeches, inspirational jumps and spirit of giving back, Bowman shows that even in the face of adversity, people with disabilities are anything but useless. “There are a lot of veterans who have overcome tragedies whether in the line of duty or not, whether they’re blind, quadriplegic, paraplegic or have another disability,” he said. Military members and their families participating in Winterfest will have a chance to meet with Bowman on numerous occasions.

Bowman says he’s looking forward to coming back to Angel Fire. “I enjoyed the people of Angel Fire, enjoyed the hospitality and friendliness of this unique mountainside village,” he said. “Angel Fire is generous at giving back to the community of warriors.”

While Bowman is the main attraction at Military Winterfest, held Feb. 22 – 26, the 5-day festival features skiing, snowboarding and tubing at deeply discounted rates. As well, snowshoeing, an Inter-Service Fun Race, snowboard demos by Never Summer, daily Twilight Colors Parade, a Military Family Expo, a celebratory dinner; and more for veterans, active duty military and their families.

Last year, the event welcomed more than 600 active duty, retirees and families from Texas, Colorado and beyond to its winter celebration. This year, organizers anticipate increasing participation.

REACHING OUT TO ALL VETS AND TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

As with every year, Military Winterfest offers its unique “Vet2Vet” program that gives ski and snowboard lessons for vets, by professionally trained ski and snowboard instructors who are also vets. As well, the festival has an Adaptive Sports Programs for vets with disabilities.

REGISTER TO GO!

Early Online registration at mwf2018.eventbrite.com includes: Admission to all Winterfest activities; exclusive military discounts (lodging, lift tickets, equipment rentals, lessons and much more); and a free long-sleeved t-shirt. Additionally, many Angel Fire restaurants, shops and lodging venues are offering special discounts to Winterfest attendees wearing the unique event bracelet.

Advanced Online Registration by January 15 (includes a free long-sleeved t-shirt):

  • Veterans certified 100% disabled and up to 5 family members — FREE
  • Individual (Veteran/Military Member) — $25
  • Family (Veteran/Military Member and up to 5 family members) — $40

 

Online Registration after January 15 or during the festival at the Winterfest Registration Desk (free T-shirt no longer included, but available for purchase online or at the Registration Desk):

  • Veterans certified 100% disabled and up to 5 family members – FREE
  • Individual (Veteran/Military Member) — $30
  • Family (Veteran/Military Member and up to 5 family members) — $50

 

 

A Celebratory Dinner, Sat. Feb. 24, may be added on with Advanced Online purchase: $10/adult, FREE for kids under 6, and FREE for veterans certified 100% disabled (not including family members).

Angel Fire Resort Lodging, Lessons: http://bit.ly/Winterfest_2018  or call Central Reservations (575) 377-4320. For other Village lodging options check MilitaryWinterfest.com for details.

Festival details see MilitaryWinterfest.com, Facebook.com/MilitaryWinterfest, Pinterest or follow Twitter @AFWinterfest.

Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, retirees, dependent family members and Gold Star families are eligible to participate but must have a valid identification card or other proof of service.

Winterfest helps raise funds and awareness for the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center of Angel Fire. The Center is nationally known for using creative therapies in its weeklong Retreat Programs to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress.

Military Winterfest 2018 partners: Angel Fire Resort, a 5-Star corporate sponsor; NEVER SUMMER INDUSTRIES, Official Snowboard Sponsor; and funded in part by the Village of Angel Fire lodgers tax.

-30-

The registration fees paid when attending Military Winterfest 2018 are tax-deductible & directly support the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center. The Center provides treatment for military individuals & families that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress. Its creative therapies have been nationally recognized for their effectiveness in treating the “Invisible Wounds of War.” The Veteran couples experience Native American hand washing ceremony, storytelling of the warrior culture & many more therapeutic techniques. These retreats are only possible with the help from donors & grant funding. For more, see National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center Angel Fire.

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Let me know if you’d like Bowman’s bio and/or photos or the full festival schedule.

Military Winterfest Pushes Early Registration

News | Press Release | Winterfest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Linda Hughes email hidden; JavaScript is required or 410-703-8352

 

Military Winterfest Pushes Early Registration

Winter Celebration Savings for Veterans, Military & Families in Angel Fire

 

ANGEL FIRE, N.M.  (November 8, 2017) – Angel Fire’s 4th Annual Military Winterfest Feb. 22 – 26, a celebration for veterans, all military and family members, has ramped up their early online registration efforts. “Now is a great time to register to attend before everyone gets caught up in the holiday whirl,” said retired Army Col. Mark Fitch, Military Winterfest 2018 chair.

The five-day festival features:

  • Opening Ceremony Blessing;
  • Skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing;
  • Daily Twilight Colors Parade;
  • Ski and Snowboard Fun Races for all skill levels;
  • Family Expo;
  • Ski and snowboard lessons for vets, by vets;
  • Adaptive athlete program for vets with disabilities;
  • Meet & Greet Social.

Winterfest’s highpoint occurs mid-festival when former U.S. Army Golden Knight & double amputee, Dana Bowman skydives from an airplane making a precision landing onto the base of Angel Fire Resort’s ski mountain while carrying a colossal American flag.

REGISTER TO GO!

Early Online registration at mwf2018.eventbrite.com includes: Admission to all Winterfest activities; exclusive military discounts (lodging, lift tickets, equipment rentals, lessons and more); and a free long-sleeved t-shirt. Additionally, many Angel Fire restaurants, shops and lodging venues are offering special discounts to Winterfest attendees wearing the unique event bracelet.

-more-

2/2/2/2/2

Winterfest

 

Advanced Online Registration by January 15:

  • Veterans certified 100% disabled and up to 5 family members — FREE
  • Individual (Veteran/Military Member) — $25
  • Family (Veteran/Military Member and up to 5 family members) — $40

Register at mwf2018.eventbrite.com. MasterCard, American Express, VISA and Discover cards are accepted.

Online Registration after January 15 or during the festival at the Winterfest Registration Desk:

  • Veterans certified 100% disabled and up to 5 family members — FREE
  • Individual (Veteran/Military Member) — $30
  • Family (Veteran/Military Member and up to 5 family members) — $50

Free T-shirt no longer included, but available for purchase.

A Celebratory Dinner, Sat. Feb. 24, may be added on with Advanced Online purchase: $10/adult, free for kids under 6, and free for veterans certified 100% disabled (not including family members).

Angel Fire Resort Lodging, Lessons: http://bit.ly/Winterfest_2018  or call Central Reservations (575) 377-4320. For other Village accommodations check MilitaryWinterfest.com for details.

For festival details and updates see MilitaryWinterfest.com, Facebook.com/MilitaryWinterfest, Pinterest or follow Twitter @AFWinterfest.

Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, retirees, dependent family members and Gold Star families are eligible to participate but must have a valid identification card or other proof of service.

-more-

 

3/3/3/3/3

Winterfest

 

Winterfest, which attracted more than 600 veterans, active military and their families last year, helps raise funds and awareness for the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center of Angel Fire. The Center is nationally known for using creative therapies in its weeklong Retreat Programs to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress.

Military Winterfest 2018 partner: Angel Fire Resort, a 5-Star corporate sponsor; and funded in part by the Village of Angel Fire lodgers tax.

-end-

The registration fees paid when attending Military Winterfest 2018 are tax-deductible and directly support the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center. The Center provides treatment for military individuals and families that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress. Its creative therapies have been nationally recognized for their effectiveness in treating the “Invisible Wounds of War.” The natural setting of Angel Fire in the Sangre de Cristo mountains is the perfect location to bring couples to a place where healing in nature is optimal. The Veteran couples experience Native American hand washing ceremony and storytelling of the warrior culture and many more therapeutic techniques. These retreats are only possible with the help from donors & grant funding. For more, see National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center Angel Fire.

 

Organizers Pick Dates for Angel Fire Military Winterfest 2018

News | Press Release | Winterfest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Hughes, marketing chair – email hidden; JavaScript is required or 410-703-8352

 

Organizers Pick Dates for Angel Fire Military Winterfest 2018

Features American Flag Jump-in & Inter-Service Races

 

ANGEL FIRE, N.M.  (Sept. 25, 2017) – Angel Fire’s 4th Annual Military Winterfest will be a Rocky Mountain celebration for veterans, working military and their families Feb. 22 – 26, 2018 featuring skiing, snowboarding, tubing and a Family Expo.

Dana Bowman, a retired U.S. Army Golden Knight and double amputee, will again dazzle audiences with his American Flag Jump In Saturday, February 24. Skydiving from an airplane, he’ll make a precision landing onto the base of Angel Fire Resort’s ski mountain. Bowman has two custom prosthetic limbs when he lost both legs in a parachuting accident.

Military Winterfest, which attracted more than 600 veterans, active military and their families in 2017, showcases Angel Fire Resort’s 10,677’ mountain with 80 runs, three terrain parks, 30 acres of gladed tree runs and nighttime skiing.  The festival features huge discounts; ski and snowboard lessons for vets, taught by vets; a Family Expo and Inter-service Fun Races. Other highlights include a family-friendly Celebratory Dinner, daily Twilight Colors Retirement Parades, an Opening Ceremony Blessing and a Meet & Greet Social.

Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, veterans certified 100% disabled, dependent families and Gold Star families are eligible to participate but need a valid identification card or other proof of service.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Registration, lodging and sponsorship information will be coming soon to MilitaryWinterfest.com, https://mwf2018.eventbrite.com and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MilitaryWinterfest. Also (575) 377-5236. Snow Report Line: (575) 377-4222.

Key partners in Military Winterfest 2018: National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center of Angel Fire, event host and organizer; the Angel Fire Resort, 5-Star corporate sponsor; and the funded in part by the Village of Angel Fire lodgers tax.

-end-

Military Winterfest 2018 directly supports the National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center. The Center provides treatment for military individuals and families that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress. Its creative therapies have been nationally recognized for their effectiveness in treating the “Invisible Wounds of War.” For more, see National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center Angel Fire.

MEDIA ADVISORY: 2017 event photos are available.

 

 

Never Summer Demo Tour

Press Release | Winterfest

Official Military Winterfest 2017 Snowboard Sponsor Never Summer, is going to be at Angel Fire Resort Sat., Feb. 11 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. doing a Demo Day. And, their master shredder, Ian Smith will take a few hot laps from 1 – 2 p.m. at Liberation Park. Even better…Never Summer, the only all American-made snowboard crafted in Denver, Colo., has donated a board that will be raffled off to a lucky Winterfest participant!