The Vail Veterans Program welcomes wounded vets and their families for a week of healing

The Vail Veterans Program hosted 16 veterans, 13 spouses and caregivers, 32 kids and one military hospital staff member during its Winter Family Program held in Vail this week. The program provides private adaptive ski, snowboard and ski bike instruction for wounded military service members and group lessons for members of the family. Different from many other veteran organizations, the entire family is invited to take part in this outdoor recreational therapeutic program, recognizing that healing for the whole family is a vital part of recovery.

“I learned to ski while training in Alaska before my injury and went ski biking here in Vail. It’s been so much fun — much like riding a dirt bike where you get to just grip the tail end through a corner,” said Justin “Sledge” Shellhammer, retired US Army Staff Sergeant. “My instructors were great. My instructor, Rob, saw my Harley Davidson shirt — I’m a certified Harley mechanic — the first day and we hit it off right away.”

Shellhammer was stationed with the 164 Military Police Company in Anchorage, Alaska. He deployed to Afghanistan on April 5, 2005 during his fifth deployment and that’s when he got injured.

“I stepped on a landmine with my left leg and landed on another one that didn’t detonate. As the squad leader, we trained for this situation. My team saved my life — it was like a proud dad moment. I owe my life to my soldiers because they cared so much and I still keep in contact with a lot of them. If they’re having a bad day with PTSD, they know they can always reach out to me,” Shellhammer said. He went on to share that he often connects with other veterans through his faith, recently becoming a reverend and he also enjoys hunting and being in the quiet of the outdoors.

In talking about the experience and what this program has meant for his family, Shellhammer said, “Our kids have loved being here in Vail. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve learned in a short amount of time. Before we arrived, my five-year-old daughter, Emerson, watched YouTube snowboarding videos for three months. She said, ‘I’m going to do tricks!’ She picked up snowboarding really fast.”

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Following an emergency appendectomy for their seven year-old son just six weeks ago, Shellhammer said his son also proved to be a fast learner.

“To see Elijah here being able to pick up snowboarding so quickly and being able to stand atop the mountain after his surgery, we praise God; it comes full circle and this trip was meant to be.” 

According to “Sledge”, despite his injury he would do it all over again.

“I would have given my life. And you can ask each and every one of these veterans here, and they would do it all over again.” Shellhammer said he didn’t just do it for his family, he served for everyone’s family.

The Vail Veterans Program started 22 years ago, and the first Winter Family Program was held in 2008. Today, it continues to create the space and opportunity for veteran families to meet other families going through similar challenges. Kids develop new friendships on the slopes, during the bowling night and through evening activities like a game of ping pong. It’s the connection and unspoken bonds that unite these veterans and their families and create a community of mutual support.

Retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Josh Davis returned to Vail to attend another Vail Veterans Program session, but this time his family was in tow. Seeing his kids experience snow for the first time and watching them build confidence throughout the week during their ski and snowboard lessons made him smile.

“When they got off the mountain, my kids never stopped talking about what they did each day,” Davis said. “As a parent you don’t get to see (friendships) evolve in front of you, as so much happens online or over Xbox. Here, I can watch that evolve and I can see my son is respectful to others. To watch my kids smile as much as they have, it’s going to be hard to leave.”

While serving in the Marine Corps, Davis also raced professional motocross in his free time. After an accident in 2021, he had eight failed surgeries to attempt a limb salvage. A doctor at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center ultimately determined that due to his extensive injuries, amputation was the best option. The last time Davis attended a Vail Vets Program it was shortly after his leg amputation, and he was just returning to snowboarding on one leg. This trip he wanted to push his own skills, try some jumps and explore more.

“You really have to go out and explore and see the whole mountain to be humbled by the size of everything,” Davis said.

A theme often heard during these programs is connection. Davis spoke about his connection to his instructor, Eugene, who let Davis, a self-described “hard head,” try things his own way.

“Eugene understood me. He knew when I was tired or when I had energy. If I started moving more, I would want to snowboard more; he spoke my language the entire time,” Davis said.

Mutual respect and deep appreciation develop throughout the week between veterans and their instructors. On the final ski day of the program, Eugene coordinated with the kids’ instructors to facilitate the family skiing down the mountain together at the end of the day.

“That’s how we ended our day — all together — that’s how we ended our week. It was super,” Davis and his wife, Jessica, shared.

Davis also talked about meeting other veterans this week who also have been overcoming challenges and watching their families enjoy time together.

“Having other veterans here and being able to talk and articulate our own experience to each other is amazing. It’s a no-stress environment,” Davis said.

Since 2004, Vail Veterans Program has served more than 6,000 veterans and family members through its variety of 16 in-person, alumni and virtual programs spread throughout the year. Each program is designed to focus on the best outcomes for veterans and families that build confidence, restore hope and strengthen family bonds. All programs are provided at no cost to participants.

The organization remains committed to seeking new and innovative ways to continue meeting the evolving needs of our Nation’s Heroes, while navigating a lifelong military service injury. Upcoming winter programs include a new Summit of Strength: Women’s Warrior Retreat for women veterans February 9-13 and the March Winter Mountain Adventure program for a veteran and guest March 1-6.