Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole (April 18, 1899–1976) was the founder of the National Ski Patrol

National ski patrol

The National Ski Patrol is the largest winter rescue organization in the world. It was founded in 1938 by Charles Minot Dole, at the urging of Roger Langley...

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Minnie Dole formed the National Ski Patrol in 1938 and was director of the organization until 1950.

During World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, Dole convinced the War Department to form the 10th Mountain Division

10th Mountain Division

The 10th Mountain Division is a light infantry division of the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. It is a subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the only division-sized element of the U.S. Army to specialize in fighting under harsh terrain and weather conditions...

, a mountaineering unit. Dole served from 1941-1945.

Dole is honored across the ski industry with plaques and other honors. A trail was dedicated in his honor at Berkshire East Ski Area

Berkshire East Ski Area

Berkshire East Ski Resort is a medium sized alpine ski area located on Mount Institute in Charlemont and Hawley, Massachusetts.-Thunder Mountain Ski Area:...

. Dole was inducted into the United States National Ski Hall of Fame

National Ski Hall of Fame

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum is located in the City of Ishpeming in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the birthplace of organized skiing in the United States...

in 1958.

External links

• Charles M. Dole - U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame
• Charles Minnie Dole - Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
• Alpenglow Ski Mountaineering History Project - Gretchen R. Besser - "The National Ski Patrol"