Special Olympics Winter Games returns to Big Mountain

Special Olympics Montana, a 40 year-old movement that enables children and adults with intellectual disabilities to train for life through sports, will conduct its State Winter Games at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Feb. 27 through March 1. This marks the 16th consecutive year that the games have been held on Big Mountain.

More than 300 athletes, more than 30 unified partners and more than 150 coaches or chaperones from more than 25 teams are expected to gather on the mountain to compete in four different sports over the three-day period. Competitions will include alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and alpine snowboarding. A one-day floor hockey team competition also will take place at The Wave on Sunday beginning at noon.

The public is invited to line Central Avenue for the Parade of Athletes from Third to Railway street beginning at 4 p.m., followed by the opening ceremonies in Depot Park, with live music by Fresh Ink, the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron and other festivities for families. There will also be an athlete victory banquet and a families luncheon.

As an athlete-centered, family-based and volunteer-driven organization, Special Olympics Montana relies almost exclusively on the support of community volunteers, businesses and service organizations for leadership, planning and preparation, and in-kind and financial gifts.

The roles and duties are many, requiring as many as 250 volunteers. To volunteer, call Karen Kimball at 406-837-0319 or e-mail dryfly@centurytel.net. For more information about Special Olympics Montana, contact Jim Lawrence at jlawrence@somt.org or call 1-800-242-6876.