FDNY Firefighters Hit The Slopes For A Cause Close To Their Hearts

Traditionally, skiers and snowboarders blazing down the mountainside are wearing bright puffy jackets, thick pants, fuzzy hats, gloves, and goggles fit with colorful lenses.
For two days each year, visitors to Hunter Mountain will see a different sight racing downhill: skiers in firefighter uniforms.
The annual FDNY Firefighters Ski Race takes place in upstate New York, with proceeds benefitting the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation for the past 25 years. Prior to that, money raised went to the Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows and Children’s Fund.
“This race has become a tradition for the members of the FDNY and a big contributor for the Firefighters Burn Center Foundation,” said retired FDNY Lt. and race organizer Joe Jove. “It’s a cause that is very dear to the hearts of all our firefighters.”

The event, which celebrated its 45th anniversary in January, was inaugurated in 1973 when a group of FDNY firefighters were enjoying the slopes at Hunter Mountain. Looking for a greater test, they challenged some of the firefighters of the Hunter Mountain Fire Department to a friendly race.
Except there was a catch.
Each fire department would field a team of five members, who would race downhill wearing helmets and turn-out coats while holding onto a 50-foot fire hose through a slalom course. Fastest time wins.

Word of the event began to spread as each year passed, drawing more and more firehouses and firefighters into competition. There was even a year when a record 243 five-person teams competed, resulting in more than 1,200 total participants.
“The passion and enthusiasm on the mountain is equal to the passion and enthusiasm for helping each other,” said Bill Leahy, New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation president. “It’s a unique experience and a unique event. It’s a different type of fundraising opportunity; it’s not just about raising money and awareness, but also about renewing and strengthening the bonds among the firefighter community.”

FDNY Ski Race Rules

— A team consists of five members wearing turn-out gear, skiing a GS (single run) course.
— At least three members, completing all gates, must finish the race to qualify.
— Five-second penalty for each member who does not finish.
— Members who fall may catch up with their team, providing they ski all gates and are holding hose at finish line.
— Five-second penalty for missing item. No penalty for dropped helmet after start of race. (Retiree teams do not need turnout gear.)

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.