Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing is a demanding sport, and athletes will benefit by being in good physical condition to compete successfully and safely. In addition to a basic combination of endurance and strength, Alpine skiing requires a high capacity of quickness and action/reaction endurance.
Did you know?
- Approximately 150 athletes train and compete in this demanding sport each year.
- Special Olympics rules follow the International Ski Federation rules for alpine racing with a few modifications.
- In 1993, Special Olympics North Carolina athlete Donna Parker attended the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria to compete in alpine skiing.
- In 1974, Jim Cottrell with the French Swiss Ski College in Blowing Rock was instrumental in introducing alpine skiing to the Special Olympics movement.
- SONC held its first Winter Games in 1993 at Appalachian Ski Mountain located between Blowing Rock and Boone. The site continues to host the event to this day.
Share your sport knowledge!
Sport Development Teams (SDT) are responsible for assisting with local and state level programs and competition, educating coaches and officials, and promoting active engagement among athletes throughout the year. Click here for more information. Certified clinicians supplement the SDT by providing coaches training in their community.
Officiate for Special Olympics North Carolina by donating your time as a sports official. Contact sports@sonc.net for more information.
Alpine Skiing Sport Development Team
Jim Cottrell
Boone
Alpine SDT Director
Ron Henries
Boone
Roachel Laney
Boone
Sam Lloyd
Tryon
Adaptive Skiing
Jake Harkey
Banner Elk
Herb Vogt
Morganton
Coach resource for dry land training for athletes
Michael Maybee
Blowing Rock