Cross-Country Skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across mostly flat or slightly hilly snow-covered terrain using skis and poles. It promotes superior physical conditioning while providing enjoyment for athletes of all ages and abilities. We welcome athletes who are new to Cross-Country Skiing as well as our returning athletes. Cross-country skiing events in which we compete range from the 500 meter race to the 5 kilometer race if snow conditions allow. Special Olympics also offers shorter distance events for new, young and/or lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic cross-country skiing skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to longer competitive events.
| Coaches | Pim Brouwers – Head Coach Rachel Maryn – Sport Director |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Saturdays starting November 15, 2025, 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg (506 South Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD). Meet by the picnic shelters. Signup Begins: Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 6 PM |
| Athlete & Volunteer Registration Expiration Date | Sport’s End of Season Date: February 28, 2026 All Forms must be up to date before the signup date (first Sunday in October). The expiration date on an Athlete’s Registration form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above State Games competition date to participate in the upcoming season. If the Athlete’s Medical form has expired, please note that both the Athlete Registration form and the Athlete Medical form will need to submitted. |
You can find the official Special Olympics Rules, Fact Sheet, Coaching Guide, and other resources at this link: Special Olympics Cross Country Skiing.
SOMO has used cross-country skis, poles, and boots, which should fit most athletes. Many returning team members have purchased their own equipment, but it is not a requirement for participation.
SOMO provides athletes with a yellow team jacket and hat for use during the season. Athletes are responsible for all other outdoor clothing appropriate for cold, snowy, or rainy weather, including waterproof or water-resistant outer pants and warm ski gloves or mittens. Cotton clothing is not appropriate. Quick drying “technical” shirts, long underwear, and smart wool socks are recommended for practices, depending on the weather. Dress in layers so that outer layers can be removed as the athlete warms up during practice or competition.
There are two types of Cross-Country Skiing practices: 1) local dryland fitness and skill training at Bohrer Park (wear running shoes or comparable footwear) and 2) day or weekend trips to Western Maryland or Pennsylvania for on-snow training (wear warm, waterproof boots) when snow conditions allow.
Dryland Fitness Training: Weekly at Bohrer Park (meet at the Picnic Pavilion) in Gaithersburg (506 South Frederick Ave across from Gaithersburg High School) on Saturdays from 9 AM-11 AM from the season start until the season end.
Day Trips for On-Snow Training: When snow conditions allow, the team plans ski trips to areas with good cross-country trails for on-snow training, such as New Germany State Park (about a 2-hour drive from Gaithersburg). These trips typically occur in January but can happen at any time during the season. Since snow conditions can be unpredictable, trips will often require impromptu arrangements. The Head Coach or one of the Assistant Coaches will inform athletes and their families of evolving on-snow training plans with as much advance notice as possible. Both athletes and their families are expected to prioritize these training trips over other weekend activities since local snow conditions can limit our on-snow training opportunities at Bohrer Park.
Cross-Country Time Trials (qualifiers for grouping athletes by ability for races) are scheduled prior to the races at Winter Games.
SOMO’s Cross-Country Team competes in the Special Olympics Winter Games in a neighboring state, when possible, as Special Olympics Maryland does not sponsor the sport at their Winter Games. In 2024 and 2025, our team competed at West Virginia’s Winter Sports Classic. Further information about plans for the 2026 Games will be provided as it becomes available.
Athletes must attend at least 80% of the practices to be eligible to compete in Winter Games.
Because the SOMO Cross-Country Team competes at the Winter Games in another state, an Athlete must have an up to date U.S. Athlete Medical Form (requires a physical exam) in addition to up to date SOMO Athlete Registration Form on file with SOMO. Both forms can found on our Forms page.
Cross-country ski athletes can participate in other SOMO sports if they can maintain full practice and competition participation in every sport chosen.
Not Required
Athletes participating in the Winter Games will be housed with chaperones and the coaching staff at a ratio of 3 athletes per chaperone/coach.
Athletes should behave respectfully toward coaches and other athletes and be able to follow basic directions from coaches.
