February 12-14, 2023
Between Blowing Rock and Boone
This webpage provides a comprehensive summary of the 2023 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games – Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding.
There are several links to more detailed documents. There is some new information for this year, so be sure to read through everything.
If you have questions about this information, if you need help during the event, if you get lost, if you are running late, whatever it might be – call us!
Special Olympics NC Staff:
Kyle Jaimes 813-469-4696
Andrea Stamm 919-818-4520
Weather
As always – THINK SNOW! And for those of you that like a more accurate forecast, you can check out Ray’s Weather – Appalachian Ski Mountain. This is a local weather web site the High Country locals follow!
Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Rd., Blowing Rock
Delegation check-in will take place at Appalachian Ski Mountain in the Snow Cloud Room on Sunday, February 12 from 12 – 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-shows.
- 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.
Mandatory Coach’s Webinar on Thursday, February 9 at 12 p.m.
Click here to register for the coach’s meeting. Remember, at least one coach representative and the Head of Delegation 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. A recording will be posted on Friday, February 10.
Mandatory Onsite Coach’s Meetings
Sunday, February 12 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 HODs.
Monday, February 13 at 8:45 a.m. – Snow Cloud Room
This is to communicate any last minute updates and the plans for the day to head coaches/HODs.
Tuesday, February 14 at 9 a.m. – Snow Cloud Room
This is to communicate any last minute updates and the plans for the day to head coaches/HODs.
Rules and Competition Guidelines
2023 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games Competition Rules and Guidelines
Alpine Skiing sport rules section
Snowboarding sport rules section
Important information about helmet requirements
Special Olympics falls under the International Ski Federation rule regarding a specific helmet that is required for ski and snowboard racing. This is a reminder that all athletes must have an FIS helmet in order to participate in Alpine Skiing or Snowboarding. These helmets must have the FIS stamp on the back of the helmet.
EnjoyWinter.com is pleased to, once again, offer all Special Olympics athletes 25% off the BLIZ RAID ski helmet, and Bliz ski goggles. Visit their website and use promo code “SOWINTER” for 25% off. If you have bulk order, or have any questions, please contact Andy Gerlach at andyg@enjoywinter.com or call 406-585-2660. Helmets from EnjoyWinter are $145 +tax and shipping as opposed to $200+.
To make the ordering process easier, please measure before placing the order. See the Helmet Sizing Guide. From our experience, athletes tend to fit into the large, XL and XL+ sizes more often than small and medium.
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 Kyle Jaimes at (813) 469-4696. 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 (3rd 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.
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony will be held on the mountain at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, February 13.
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 held Monday, February 13 at the Meadowbrook Inn. Only credentialed delegation and family members may attend. The dance will immediately follow at 7:30 p.m
Family Registration
Families attending the Winter Games will need to register with this link by February 7, 2023.
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.
Family Hotel Bookings
Please use this Special Olympics link. Room rates are $109+tax per night for the Holiday Inn Express – Blowing Rock South.
NC Delegations – housing will be booked through SONC office.
FL & SC Delegations – housed at the Meadowbrook Inn.
GA Delegations – housed at the Holiday Inn Express Blowing Rock.
Hotel Reminders/Facts:
- North Carolina programs that have problems with housing, please contact Kyle Jaimes at (813) 469-4696. All other states please work with your hotel contact.
- All delegates should be respectful of others by remaining in their rooms after 10:00 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.
Overall Meal Schedule
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
Tuesday
Breakfast – at hotel
Lunch – at expense of local program
Lunch Options
There are a number of restaurants (quick service and sit-down) and grocery stores just 10 minutes from App Ski Mountain in Boone. Jersey Mikes (don’t we all love Jersey Mikes!), Publix, Walmart, etc. Pre-orders are taken many places and you can send someone from your delegation to pick up your order and be back in time!
The cafeteria at Appalachian Ski Mountain is offering a meal voucher for all programs to eat in the dining area for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday lunch. The voucher is typically $10-$12 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 Julianna Pratt the following information by Tuesday, February 7 at 5 p.m.:
- Delegation Name
- Number of vouchers needed per day
Monday Night Dinner (at the dance)
All delegations will eat at the dinner and dance location. This will be a buffet-style meal (menu TBD) and will feature a protein, vegetable, and dessert.
If you have requests for vegetarian or gluten-free for the Monday night dinner, email Julianna Pratt by Friday, February 3 in order for arrangements to be made. A current list of gluten-free and vegetarian meals we are currently aware of can be found here.
Registration Meeting
Registration for delegations to attend 2023 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games – Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding is now closed.
Family members may still register for the 2023 Games. Please see the family section on this page.
Registration Meeting
Please find the recording from the January 12 registration meeting here.
Dates for 2024 are tentatively set for February 10 – 12, 2024. Registration information for the 2024 Games will be available approximately December 2023.
