Disabled Veterans Find Renewal at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Each year, nearly 400 disabled veterans gather in Colorado for an experience that is as inspiring as it is transformative. During the 40th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, held April 4–11, in Snowmass Village, participants pushed their limits learning new skills, connecting with purpose and rediscovering what’s possible.
But beyond the slopes and other adaptive sports, something equally powerful awaited them: rest, recovery and renewal at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Glenwood Springs, located 40 miles from Snowmass Village.
“All the activities at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic are for medical wellness and adaptive opportunities to further confidence when they leave the clinic to participate in activities on their own in their lives,” explains Kayla Giuliano, interim chief communications officer for the VA Rocky Mountain Network of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
From Mountain Challenges to Mineral Hot Springs
After time spent alpine and Nordic skiing, rock climbing, sled hockey and scuba diving in a Snowmass Village pool, veterans from all branches of the military made their way to Glenwood Springs. There, the resort’s seven mineral-rich hot springs pools offered another therapy rooted in nature.
Each day, 20 to 30 veterans visited the resort to soak, unwind and recharge. “The hot springs offers the veterans an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate during their time on the mountain, especially after a hard day of pushing their boundaries,” says Giuliano.
This balance—challenge paired with recovery in the company of others who understand—is what makes the experience so impactful.
The Power of Hot Springs Water
The geothermal waters at Glenwood Hot Springs are more than just warm, they come from the on-site Yampah Source Spring, contain 15 minerals and are deeply restorative. For veterans managing injuries such as spinal cord conditions, amputations, or neurological challenges, soaking provides:
- Relief for sore muscles and joints
- Improved circulation
- Reduced stress and mental fatigue
Just as important, the pools create space for connection. These moments to share stories, laugh and simply be present are a powerful form of healing.
A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
The Winter Sports Clinic, aptly referred to “Miracles on a Mountainside,” and it’s easy to see why. Hosted by the nonprofit Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the program brought participants from 38 states, Puerto Rico and Guam together in 2026. It’s not just about sports, it’s about confidence, independence and community.
For more than a decade, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has proudly partnered with the DAV and VA to support this life-changing program. The resort’s fully accessible facilities ensure that every veteran can enjoy the experience comfortably and safely.
“It’s an honor to host these special guests and support the Winter Sports Clinic,” says Aly Ackley, resort sales manager at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. “These men and women have given their lives in service to our country. If our water can offer even a moment of healing, rest and recovery, it’s a tradition we are grateful to continue year after year.”
A Legacy of Caring for Veterans
This commitment is not new; it’s part of the resort’s DNA. From 1943 to 1946, during World War II, the Glenwood Hot Springs and neighboring Hotel Colorado were used exclusively as a U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital to provide a place for sailors to recuperate. Hotel Colorado had a 500-bed patient capacity and assisted 6,525 veterans on their journey back to health. After the war and until the early 1950s, the hotel was converted into a private hospital, Glenwood Clinic.
Today, that legacy lives on at these two key local attractions that date to 1888 (Glenwood Hot Springs Resort) and 1893 (Hotel Colorado), just in a different form.
More Than a Destination—A Place to Feel Better
At its core, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort exists for one simple reason: to make people feel better. For these veterans, that mission becomes deeply meaningful.
- It’s in the quiet moments floating in warm water after a long day.
- It’s in the shared laughter between strangers who quickly become friends.
- It’s in the feeling—physical and emotional—of letting go, even just for a while.
Continuing the Journey
As the week concluded with a race day in Snowmass Village, participants left with more than memories. They carry renewed confidence, stronger connections and a sense of possibility. Not all recovery happens in medical facilities. Sometimes, it happens in hot springs water and on snowy ski slopes surrounded by beautiful mountains and people who understand. And sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed most.
