Maybe you've driven by the "10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway" signs on your way to the mountain resorts along state Route 89. And maybe you've wondered, why here? There's no official connection to the 10th at all here, really.

But in fact, the Tahoe we know and love today - and America's experience of mountain sports in general - would look a lot different if it weren't for the 10th. In this episode of "The Placer Life," the second of our four-part miniseries about the ways World War II changed life in Placer County, we share the incredible story of the 10th's heroic efforts during World War II - and how veterans of the 10th changed the way we look at the mountains forever.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains historical reenactments of combat that may be difficult for some listeners. Discretion is advised. Transcript: https://shorturl.at/grM15

To learn more about the history of the 10th Mountain Division and its influence on mountain sports, check out the Ninety-Pound Rucksack podcast: https://christianbeckwith.com/

And visit the SNOW Sports Museum popup exhibit at the Boatworks building in Tahoe City to see artifacts from the 10th Mountain Division's service during World War II: https://www.thesnowmuseum.org/snow-sports-museum-at-the-boatworks/