Coach’s Meeting

Coach’s Webinar on Thursday, January 30 at 12:00 p.m.
A recording of the coach’s meeting is now available. Remember, at least one representative from each local program must attend this webinar and confirm attendance. Listening to the recording does count as attendance as long as the appropriate steps are taken.

Mandatory Coach’s Meetings – Sunday, February 2 at 12:15 p.m. – Snow Cloud Room
This is a mandatory meeting for all coaches.  Not attending this meeting will eliminate your delegation from competition.  With hopefully all questions answered via the online coach’s meeting on January 30, this meeting is only for head coaches and/or HOD’s. At least one representative from each program is required; please refrain from sending more than two as it gets crowded!

Mandatory Head Coach’s Meeting on Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4
at 9:15 a.m. – Snow Cloud Room
This is to communicate any last minute updates and the plans for the day to head coaches/HOD’s.

Competition Rules & Information

Sport web page
Competition Rules & Reminders
Athlete list by delegation

Important information about helmet requirements

**First, please note that there are no changes to the helmet requirements for the 2020 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games competitions hosted by Special Olympics North Carolina occurring within the next two months.**

Special Olympics falls under the International Ski Federation rule regarding a specific helmet that is required for ski and snowboard racing. In order to be compliant for competitions occurring in 2021, we will be taking helmet measurements at the 2020 Special Olympics North Carolina Winter Games and the 2020 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games. Please note that local programs will need to budget for these helmets in 2020 to have them by 2021. We are working with local vendors to obtain competitive pricing and will provide that information as well as how to order those helmets soon.

Weather Update
As of January 27, conditions on the mountain are looking optimal for the upcoming event. Appalachian Ski Mountain currently has a four-foot base and may see some snow in the days leading up to Sunday. Highs look like they will be in the upper 40’s and 50’s for the duration of competition.

Any questions, concerns, cancellations, please contact Doug Perry at dperry@sonc.net. You can also call or text at (919) 522-8444.

Overall Schedule
French-Swiss Clothing Rental Form
Map to Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Rd., Blowing Rock
(828) 295-7828
Parking Pass for Special Olympics Programs

Delegation check-in will take place at Appalachian Ski Mountain in the Snow Cloud Room on Sunday from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.  The process will be as follows:

• Only the Head of Delegation or head coach should come to the check-in area to prevent congestion.
• Confirm possession of all athlete participation forms.
• Record scratches/no-show’s.
• Pick up arrival envelope containing welcome information, bibs for athletes, rental forms, and all credentials for the delegation.
• Confirm that you have all credentials at that time.
• Receive all other competition materials.

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony will be held on the mountain at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 2.

Please make note of these reminders for the Ceremony:

• In designing uniforms/selecting outerwear, please remember that Special Olympics Inc. has strict guidelines on the use of the Special Olympics logo. If you need a copy of these guidelines or your local program logo, contact your community resource director. As stated in the Special Olympics Inc. policies, no athlete or coach will be allowed to march in the Opening Ceremony of any official Games if he/she is wearing a uniform bearing a corporate or organizational logo other than Special Olympics.  Any person that does not follow this policy will not be permitted to sit with the official delegations.
• Each delegation will be given their delegation sign to hold and will be announced during the ceremony.

Dinner & Dance

Dinner will be at the Meadowbrook Inn at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3.  The dance will immediately follow at 7:30 p.m.

Please be neat and tidy spectators!

Please remember that no electrical items are allowed in the ski lodge at any time.  This includes, but is not limited to, toasters, coffee pots, microwaves, crock pots, etc.  Coolers are allowed.

It is helpful to have at least one parent, chaperone, or coach stay in the lodge where your delegation has placed your items for the day.  This is to assist athletes if they come in to warm up, use the restroom, and as a place for them to rest.  It also helps GMT members and SONC staff to know there is someone from your delegation in the lodge if we need to locate you in the event of an emergency.

Medical Assistance

HODs should have copies of all athlete medical forms with them in case of an emergency or any other medical issue. If you are on the slopes and need medical assistance, please find any French Swiss Instructor, Ski Patrol, or any on-slope assistant with a radio to contact SONC/Games Management. You can also call oug Perry at (919) 522-8444. If a coach/chaperone/parent is needed, a text blast will go out to all coaches/chaperones/HOD’s and a page will go out over the loudspeakers. Medical volunteers are also in the Snow Cloud room (3^rd floor of the lodge), and are available for athlete, coach, parent, or volunteer first aid needs.

The ski patrol medical area is located on the ground floor of the lodge.  When coming in from the slopes, it is located to the right of ski rentals.  This is where ski patrol will take any athlete or coach that is injured on the slopes for assessments.

Families attending the Winter Games should have register with Pace Cottrell at French Swiss Ski College by January 3, 2020. Contact him directly at (828) 295-9311 for any questions regarding family registration.

Family members must be registered in order to attend the dinner and/or dance.  Anyone without an SONC-issued credential will not be allowed to participate in either of these activities. 

Hotel Reminders/Facts:

• All NC delegations will be housed in the Holiday Inn Express in Blowing Rock, NC.
• All other states will be housed in either the Meadowbrook Inn or the Holiday Inn Express.
• North Carolina programs that have problems with housing, please contact oug Perry at (919) 522-8444. All other states please contact Pace Cottrell at (828) 295-9311.
• All delegates should be respectful of others by remaining in their rooms after 11:00 p.m. each evening.  Music and loud talking should not be heard outside the room from which it originates.
• All delegates should respect all facility property and regulations.  Theft or intentional damage of property will not be tolerated.

The cafeteria at Appalachian Ski Mtn. is offereing a meal voucher for all programs to eat in the dining area for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday lunch. The voucher is $7 and includes only the items listed on the voucher (main course, side and a drink).  There will be no up-front charges for NC local programs as SONC will pull the funds from the local program pooled account at the conclusion of the event.  Delegations from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina will be expected to pay for the vouchers the day they are used. If your delegation would like to take advantage of this voucher, please email sports@sonc.net the following information by Wednesday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m.:

• Delegation Name
• Number of vouchers needed per day

Sunday
Lunch – at expense of local program
Dinner – at expense of local program

Monday
Breakfast – at hotel
Lunch – at expense of local program
Dinner & dance at the Meadowbrook Inn

Tuesday
Breakfast – at hotel
Lunch – at expense of local program

Head of Delegation Responsibilities
Local Program Preparation Checklist
Sample Packing List
Sample Delegation Pre-Games Coaches Meeting Agenda
Mileage Chart
General Policies & Procedures
Competition Policies & Procedures
Sport Nutrition Tips
Event Services