Ski warfare

In November 1939, two months after World War II broke out in Europe, during the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland, Red Army efforts were frustrated following the destruction of two armored divisions by Finnish soldiers on skis.

Military ski races were held in Norway during the 18th century, and ski warfare was studied in the late 18th century.

Climbing and skiing became essential skills for the troops of both sides and soon ski battalions and special climbing units were formed.

The Finns dressed in layers, and the ski troopers wore a lightweight white snow cape.

Although 3,000 German soldiers were dispatched to search the area for the commandos, all escaped; five commandos escaped by skiing 322 km to Sweden, two proceeded to Oslo (where they assisted Milorg), and four remained in the region for further resistance work.

The Finnish Army used ski troops during the Winter War and the Second World War, where the numerically superior, but road-bound Soviet forces were vulnerable to attack by mobile, white-clad ski troops, approaching from untracked, frozen terrain.

As the Battle of Moscow begins, temperatures around Moscow drop to −12 °C, and the Soviet Union launches ski troops for the first time, against the freezing German forces near the city.

Winter War – Finland was invaded by the much larger mechanized military units of the Soviet Union. Although the Soviets captured 8% of Finland, they suffered enormous casualties versus much lower losses for the Finns. Soviet vehicles were confined to narrow forest roads by terrain and snow, while the Finns used ski tactics around them unseen through the trees. They cut the advancing Soviet column into what they called motti (a cubic metre of firewood), and then destroyed the cut off sections one by one. Many of the Soviets were shot by snipers, had their throats cut from behind, or froze to death due to inadequate clothing and lack of camouflage and shelter. The Finns also devised a petrol bomb they called the Molotov cocktail to destroy Soviet tanks.

It was a U.S. Army ski warfare training facility constructed in 1942 for what became the 10th Mountain Division.

They had the option to buy additional materials such as skis, sweaters and marching boots.