Local Veterans Invited to Winterfest Fun Races

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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.