The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in partnership with Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico is proud to host this year’s Military Winterfest. The 5-day festival features a wide array of snow sports activities and events at a discounted price for veterans and their families. Donations received from the Winterfest festival help raise awareness and support for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Angel Fire Resort is located in the Rocky Mountain peaks of New Mexico. The ski resort has 80 runs, 3 terrain parks, gladed tree runs, and offers nighttime skiing.
What does the ticket include?
Individual veteran tickets can be purchased for $30 and $50 for the veteran and family package.
Registering for the event includes discounted access to:
- Skiing, snowboarding, tubing
- 50% off snowshoe rentals and group excursions
- Lift tickets
- Lodging
- Equipment rentals
Additional festivities include:
- Kids snowman building and other youth-focused activities
- Competitive Inter-service ski and snowboard events
- Inter-service family Winter Olympics
- Celebratory dinner with a key-note speaker*
- Raffles and prizes
- A break from the cold at the Family Exposition Hall
- Daily Twilight Colors Retirement Parade
- Adaptive sessions for vets with disabilities. Requires two-weeks advance registration.
*Included with added purchase.
Visit the Military Winterfest website for details on the daily agenda.
Information about Ski and Snowboard Lessons
Vet2Vet is organizing discounted ski and snowboard lessons for festival participants. Vet2Vet is a program utilizing veteran trained instructors to teach veterans on the slopes.
There are morning and afternoon sessions available. You’ll want to sign up early, at least 48 hours before your scheduled arrival. Equipment rentals are offered at a discounted price with Military Winterfest registration.
Interservice Races and Olympics
Golden Ski, a friendly-competition race between branches is held every year. The winner is awarded the title of “Golden Ski” during a ceremony immediately following the race. Open only to military members.
All Winterfest participants are invited to sign up for the first-ever Interservice Olympics! Registrants will compete in a variety of categories: sled races, building, snowshoe volleyball, and a selfie scavenger hunt!
How do I register?
You will need to register online first on the Winterfest Military website and make reservations separately on the Angel Fire Resort/Winterfest website.
- Online registration for Winterfest is available now on Eventbrite. (Remember to register for the event before booking with Angel Fire.)
- Tickets can be purchased using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover.)
- Input your contact information and address.
- Then, answer a short survey asking for your service branch, the number of people in your party, and participation in the interservice ski/snowboarding race.
- T-shirts and tickets to the Celebratory Dinner are offered at an additional price at check-out.
Who qualifies for the discount?
- Veterans who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard.
- Up to five family members can register with the veteran.
What is the National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center?
- The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center is a non-profit organization developed by the communities of New Mexico to create a place for veterans who seek therapy that promote mental and physical health.
- The program is notably known for its retreats designed to work with veterans, active-duty members, and their spouses who are affected by PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress.) The retreats have run annually since 2009.
- The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center also offers alternative and holistic medicine such as equine reintegration training, yoga, guided imagery, emotional freedom techniques, Reiki, massage therapy, acupuncture, art therapy, energy psychology, and Native American ceremonies. The program’s goal is to find a treatment that fits the needs of those seeking help.
Seasonal Military Discounts
Cristina Van Orden is a literary writer and active military spouse. She holds an MFA from Antioch University and taught K-12 English before working in editorial. Cristina currently resides on base with her husband and children.