Keystone Resort Hosts Successful Military Winter Games

The Colorado ski resort welcomed active duty and former service members for a weekend of competition and community.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Keystone Resort in Colorado brought back its celebration of service members with the Military Winter Games, welcoming active duty and former military personnel for a weekend of competition and connection on the slopes. Participants took part in events like a ski boot obstacle course, with the resort aiming to make mountain culture more inclusive through the games and future community-focused programming.

Why it matters

The Military Winter Games represent Keystone Resort's effort to build a more inclusive mountain culture by bringing together current and retired service members through shared challenges and competition. The event also reflects a broader industry push to make skiing and snowboarding more accessible to diverse groups.

The details

The Military Winter Games featured multiple events, including a ski boot obstacle course that tested endurance at altitude. Former Marine Brandon Staples discovered the event while visiting Keystone on a family trip and joined in, saying 'I haven't done anything like this in a minute. It was a lot, it was fun. I still got all the warm fuzzy feelings.' Resort leaders said the event was part of a broader effort to make mountain culture more inclusive, with plans to continue expanding similar community-focused programming in future seasons.

  • The Military Winter Games returned after a similar event, with a different name, fell away during the pandemic.
  • The 2026 Military Winter Games took place at Keystone Resort in Colorado.

The players

Brandon Staples

A former Marine who participated in the Military Winter Games at Keystone Resort.

Brayden Hicks

The Keystone Base Experience Manager and a former Air Force member who helped revive the Military Winter Games to reconnect service members.

Keystone Resort

The Colorado ski resort that hosted the Military Winter Games to build a more inclusive mountain culture.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I haven't done anything like this in a minute. It was a lot, it was fun. I still got all the warm fuzzy feelings.”

— Brandon Staples, Former Marine

“Reconnecting service members was among the motivations for reviving the games and breaking down barriers in ski culture.”

— Brayden Hicks, Keystone Base Experience Manager and former Air Force member

What’s next

Organizers said they planned to continue expanding similar community-focused programming in future seasons, with a Pride celebration, Women's Weekend, and the National Brotherhood of Skiers events on the horizon for 2026.

The takeaway

The Military Winter Games at Keystone Resort demonstrate the ski industry's efforts to make mountain culture more inclusive and accessible to diverse groups, including current and former service members, through shared experiences and community-building events.