Season: Winter (November to February)
Email: alpine@somdmontgomery.org
Overview: Alpine Skiing is downhill ski racing. Special Olympics athletes compete in Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced ability levels. All levels can compete in the Slalom and Giant Slalom events. Advanced & Intermediate skiers may also compete in the Super G events. For athletes just beginning or with lower ability, Special Olympics also offers the Glide or Super Glide events. For each event, the course is set to match the ability level of the athletes.
Additionally, athletes can compete in Unified Sports competition for the Super G, Slalom, and Giant Slalom events. Unified Sports pairs a Special Olympics athlete with a peer athlete without intellectual disabilities, for training and competition. In Unified Sports, we combine the times for the Special Olympics athlete and the Unified Partner to create the Unified team score.
Our Alpine Skiing program is not a learn-to-ski program. Athletes must be able to ski without assistance on a beginner slope in order to participate in this program. Athletes between the ages of 8 and 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all practices and competitions and be registered as a volunteer.
| Coaches | Mike Maryn – Head Coach |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Dryland training; Saturdays 9 am – 10:30 am starting 11/11/23 On Snow Race Trainings: 1/6/2024 & 2/10/2024 at Whitetail Resort Qualifiers: (Time Trials) Sunday of Winter Games State Games: SOMD Winter Games: 2/25-27/2024 at Wisp Resort |
| Medical & Volunteer Expiration Date | February 27, 2024 The expiration date on an athlete’s Medical form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above date to participate in the upcoming season. Check athlete status here. Check volunteer status here. |
Special Olympics Resources for Alpine Skiing
Equipment: Athletes are responsible for providing their own skis, poles, ski goggles, helmets, and boots. Athletes competing in the Giant Slalom or Super G must use an FIS-certified racing helmet. If athletes cannot provide their own equipment, SOMO can assist with seeking donated equipment, but its difficult to find donated boots and skis that can fit an athlete appropriately. SOMO has a very limited supply of FIS-certified helmets available, so athletes are encouraged to purchase their own helmets. Athletes may also rent ski equipment at any area ski resort where our team practices or competes.
Uniform Requirements: SOMO will provide athletes with a jacket and fleece. Families can purchase and keep their uniform or return them at the end of the season. Athletes are responsible for all other apparel. We recommend that athletes wear a neck gator and some form of water-resistant pants for Alpine Skiing. Athletes must also wear ski gloves.
Practice Overview: There are two types of Alpine Skiing practices, dryland fitness training and on-snow training at area ski resorts
Dryland Fitness Training: Occurs at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg on Saturdays from 9AM-11AM from the season start through the end of December. Location: Bohrer Park, 512 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Meet at the picnic pavilion.
On-Snow Training: Occurs at area ski resorts during January and February. On-Snow Race Training, organized by Special Olympics Maryland, is available on two dates each season. SOMO also organizes team practices at Ski Liberty and Ski Roundtop. SOMO provides athletes with lift tickets. Family members are able to purchase lift tickets at the discounted price offered to SOMO by the ski areas.
Qualifiers: Alpine Time Trials occur at Wisp Resort on the Sunday before SOMD Winter Games.
State Competition: SOMD Winter Games are held at Wisp Resort in late February.
Eligibility for State Competition: Athletes must attend at least 8 practices and participate in Time Trials to be eligible to compete in Winter Games. Athletes that cannot participate in Winter Games due to other commitments (e.g., school or work) are encouraged to participate in Time Trials in order to have an on-snow competition experience.
Participation in Other SOMO Sports: Alpine Skiing can participate in other SOMO sports as long as the athlete can maintain full practice and competition participation in each participating sport.
Athlete Participation Contract: Not Required
Housing Requirements for State Competition (Winter Games): Athletes participating in Winter Games will be housed for two nights in hotels at or near Wisp Resort along with chaperones and the coaching staff, at a ratio of 3 athletes per chaperone/coach.
Athletes participating in Time Trials alone will participate as Day-of Athletes, without housing.
Other Considerations: FIS stands for the Fédération Internationale de Ski (International Ski Federation).