Charles 'Minnie' Dole
Minnie, the founder of the National Ski Patrol System, conceived an idea that a trained ski and mountaineering division would be advantageous to America’s defense. The War Department accepted his proposal and on November 15, 1941, the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment was activated. Minnie recruited 25,000 men over 60 days and began the famous 10th Mountain Division. This action brought military skiing into Colorado. Minnie’s Mile on Vail Mountain is named for him.