Veterans ski weekend brings healing and camaraderie to Mount Bachelor
MOUNT BACHELOR, Ore. (KTVZ) — Veterans’ mental and physical health remains a major concern.
According to a 2023 Veterans Affairs report, roughly 31% of veterans using VA care have a mental health diagnosis.
Lou Bauer, a ski instructor and U.S. Army veteran, told KTVZ, “For me, the transition from bullets flying to civilian life was difficult. I came back a changed person from war — with PTSD and a lot of just crazy thoughts in my head.”
Bauer served in the U.S. Army for 25 years, including four combat deployments. Like many veterans, he struggles with anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
With the help of Oregon Adaptive Sports, Bauer and several other veterans have been able to take to the slopes and enjoy the great outdoors.
Bauer and his friend Javier Romo teamed up to create the Tributary Foundation to help veterans who suffer from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain — all while improving regulation, stability, connection, and purpose, with the ultimate goal of reducing the staggering number of veteran suicides each year.
“We create events in the outdoors that bring all those things together,” said Romo, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “It’s winter, we’re out here snowboarding and skiing, and it’s an active form of meditation and mindfulness — all things that help improve those four pillars we’re aiming to address.”
For 19 years, Veterans Ski Weekend has brought together young and old veterans alike — from first-time skiers to seasoned pros — all enjoying every run they take.
Jerry Schwarz, a U.S. Army veteran, told KTVZ, “My first time, I was a little tentative because with my injury, I didn’t really know how to shift. It was a little painful at first, but once I got used to it, I’ve been all day saying ‘higher, faster’ as much as I can.”
“They’ll take care of you, and you get to learn about the trials and tribulations that other veterans are going through,” said another U.S. Army veteran, Dennis Hooper.
All Romo and Bauer want is to get veterans outside — and to help save more veterans’ lives.
Bauer said, “We’re like, let’s put down the gun, let’s put down the bottle, let’s put down the depression — and let’s go ski.”
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health help, call 988
