88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy

By Christopher HansonJanuary 26, 2024

88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
1 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division descend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
2 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
3 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
4 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
5 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division gather for a group photo at the peak of the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
6 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division prepare their gear at the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
7 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division descend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
8 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
9 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division prepare their gear at Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
10 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
11 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division descend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
12 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
13 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
14 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
15 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
16 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
17 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division descend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
18 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division descend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
19 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj.(P) Michael Zinnecker, Secretary of the General Staff for the 88th Readiness Division, gives the "thumbs up" as U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division complete their descent from the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL
88th Readiness Division Soldiers embrace cold weather training at Fort McCoy
20 / 20 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division ascend the Whitetail Ridge Ski Hill during snowshoe training at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area on one of the coldest days of the year to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and cold weather gear. (Photo Credit: Christopher Hanson) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 88th Readiness Division conducted cold weather snowshoe training during their battle assembly weekend at Fort McCoy, Wis. on Jan. 21, 2024. Despite the forecasted frigid temperatures in the negative double digits, members of HHD Company assembled at the installation's Whitetail Ridge Ski Area to train on the use and familiarization of snowshoes and proper wear of cold weather gear.

Led by HHD 1st Sgt. David Boots, the Soldiers trekked through various trails and then ascended the main ski hill. After the entire company reached the peak, they gathered to sing "The Army Goes Rolling Along." Shortly thereafter, they descended in a column back down to the assembly area to complete the training.

The 88th Readiness Division, headquartered at Fort Snelling, Minn., with staff at Fort McCoy, Wis., is a two-star command which provides administrative services and Base Operations Support to more than 53,000 Army Reserve Soldiers throughout 19 states in the northwestern U.S. from the Ohio River Valley to the Pacific Coast.