Aspen Nonprofit Seeks to Harness Skiing for Veteran Therapy

An Aspen nonprofit is working to use skiing as a structured therapeutic tool for military veterans, blending time on the mountain with guided mental health support. The organization aims to create programs that combine outdoor recreation with facilitated discussion and peer connection, offering veterans a space to process experiences while building camaraderie in a mountain setting.

Organizers believe Aspen’s terrain and winter environment provide a natural framework for resilience-building and community support.

KEY POINTS

• An Aspen-based nonprofit is developing programs that use skiing as part of veteran-focused therapeutic support.
• The initiative combines on-mountain activity with structured mental health elements.
• Organizers are focused on fostering peer connection and shared experience among participants.
• The program seeks to expand awareness of how outdoor recreation can complement traditional recovery efforts.

Why This Matters Locally

Aspen’s identity is deeply connected to skiing, but initiatives like this highlight how the sport can serve broader community purposes. Programs that integrate outdoor activity with structured support reflect a growing interest in holistic approaches to mental health.

For local residents and second-homeowners, the effort underscores the ways Aspen’s landscape can be leveraged not only for recreation, but for service and long-term impact. As the program develops, it may add another dimension to how the community engages with veterans and mental wellness.

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By: Skyler Stark-Ragsdale | Aspen Times | February 17, 2026