A Close-call on the Kitzsteinhorn
Major Winters’ Alpine Adventure on Kitzsteinhorn
In May 1945, the fighting was over and peace had settled across Europe. For the men of Easy Company, life in Austria brought new routines, new landscapes, and even new adventures. On the Kitzsteinhorn, a towering Alpine peak above Kaprun, Major Richard “Dick” Winters had an unforgettable experience that combined both danger and discovery.
The Search for Food
Food was scarce in those early days of occupation. With rations thin, Winters and his men looked for other ways to stay nourished. Cattle, elk, and even mountain goats provided much-needed protein. Determined to help, Winters enlisted a local Austrian guide and set out for the Kitzsteinhorn, climbing high into the glacier country.
A Slip in the Snow
After hours of climbing, Winters and his guide spotted goats resting on a ledge. Rifle in hand, Winters crept closer. Then, suddenly, he slipped. He slid down two icy ledges, snow and rocks rushing past, before finally stopping himself with the butt of his rifle.
It was a frightening moment, but Winters was not beaten. Shaken but steadying himself, he looked up to find the goat now above him, watching calmly from the slope. Winters cleared the snow from his rifle, took aim, and made his shot. The goat slid down the mountain, and the hunt was complete.
An Alpine Memory
Though he left the meat for his guide, Winters kept the horns, a reminder of a wild Alpine day he would never forget. It was not a battle or a campaign, but rather an extraordinary encounter in the mountains of Austria that became part of his life story.
The Story of Kitzsteinhorn
The Kitzsteinhorn has always been a place of adventure. Imperial surveyors first charted its heights in 1825. Austrian climbers established huts and routes across the 19th century. During World War I, the peak became a training ground for ski troops. By the end of World War II, American soldiers were skiing its slopes during occupation duty.
In 1965, the Kitzsteinhorn became Austria’s first glacier ski resort. With cable cars, alpine huts, and year-round snow, it quickly grew into one of Europe’s great mountain destinations. Today, visitors can stand at the summit platform at 3,029 meters, ski in the summer sun, or explore the panoramic trails overlooking the Hohe Tauern range.
Conclusion
Major Winters’ adventure on the Kitzsteinhorn is a reminder that history is not only found on battlefields, but also in the quiet, adventurous moments that follow. The mountain, once the site of his unexpected slip and recovery, is today a place of joy, beauty, and discovery for travelers from all over the world.
If you would like to read more stories like this one, sign up for our newsletter and get history delivered straight to your inbox.
You can read the story for yourself in:
-
Beyond Band of Brothers by Dick Winters with Cole C. Kingseed
Photo Credits: U.S. Army Signal Corps, James Skeffington, Unsplash.
Want to see the Kitzsteinhorn for yourself? All the details you need are in the Band of Brothers Travel Guide, available now on Amazon.
